Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-11
CITY FARM PURCHASE
INDEFINITELY DELAYED
Finance Committee, Facing Deficit
In Treasury, Averse to Action
at THIS Time.
WANTS PINE CAMP SOLD FIRST
Members Say Price OF Newsstand Tract
Is Excessive and Want More Def
mite Estimates OF Cost OF Equip
mcnt and Maintenance.


pay for the purchase OF the proposed
city farm, the Council Committee on
Finance last night returned to the Adj
ministrativc Board IT'S recommendation
that the Newstead Farm. on tho James
River be bought for $4,000 This
means that tho purchase OF Il farm
is indefinitely postponed. The earliest
chance of any action on the matter
is that funds FOR the purpose may be
included in the 1917 budget.
In referring tho matter back to the
board tho committee requested that
when the proposition Is again submit
ted, II include an estimate of the in
itial cost OF equipping the farm with
buildings suitable for the occupancy
by inmates of the almshouse. the Pine
Camp tuberculosis Hospital, certain
convalescents Of the Virginia Hospital
and such prisoners as will be held
there.
The motion to send the matter back
TO the board was made by Alderman
Workman. acting under the resolution
Of the Council adopted in June. which
requested that the board negotiate for
the sale of Pine Camp. the pro-
ceeds being contemplated for in
vestment III a city farm. Chairman
Ilirschberg told the committee that the
board had considered Il the best policy
10 first buy the farm and then move
the tubercular patients from Pine
Camp in the belief that the latter
property would then bring more than
II sold before the present hospital
buildings were removed.
NEWSSTAND FARM SITE
Is HIGHLY ENDORSED
Councilman Rogers, when it was seen
that most of the members of the COM
mittce were opposed. withdraw mo-
ton TO recommend for adoption the
report OF the board that the Ncwstead
property be bought.
The merits OF the Newsstand Farm
were discussed at length by Chair
man Hirschberg. who said that this
site had not only the Endorsement of
the Administrative Board. but of State
Health Commissioner Williams, Super
intendent OF Charities and Correction
Mastin. the Council Committee on Pub
lie Buildings. properties and Utilities.
City Attorney Pollard and Superintend-
ont Whitaker, OF the District OF Co
lumbia Reform School at OccoQuan.
Resides natural advantages which the
Newstead property gave from every
Commissioner HirschberS
said he appealed to the committee to
recommend the purchase Of the farm
from humanitarian standpoint. He
who would Eo TO the farm from the City
Home, OF the sick people, now at Pine
Camp. who would be cared for. and of
the young mothers who would be taken
there TO recuperatc their strength. He
further pointed OUT that the farm
would he made self-sustaining by keep
ing there all men convicted OF being
rabitual drunkards, wife-hcatcrs anu
warrants. for they would be made to
work. The board. he said. proposed TO
utilize this same labor In putting up
the buildings which would he re-
luired.
MANY MEMBERS SAY
PRICE is EXCESSIVE
II WAS the opinion of the majority
II The committee that the price asked
for the Ncwstead property. which is
owned by J. McFhail. is excessive
Il am directly opposed TO caring
for people sent TO Jail in quarters more
luxurious than those occupied by many
II the people who pay the city taxes,
said Councilman Jones. The only
LAIN on this ground that you have" he
continued. rs t!.a. !.
now In the poorhouse Will go there
md that some conNalescents VIII go
there. There is no reason why the
council should stumble over itself in
buying farm. Think of the condition
% tue CITY tI.edsuTS ana OF the now
pending merchants license tax ordi-
nance. If the ruling OF the Hastings
Court is upheld, then the city stands
TO lose 100000. If we buy this farm
for $4,000 the Council will be called
upon at tho very outset 10 spcnd. CON
not less than $4,000 TO be-
gin making improvements. / do not
feel that am in position 10 vote 10
buy this property.
H. -
my RECORD in the Council will show
that / favor buying city farm But
what i want TO know Is what it, liz
going TO cost TO equip il and keep il up.
]. for one. VIII pot fool myself into be-
lieving that farm will not cost the
city money TO maintain. AS the mat
ter stands. II we buy the farm. we have
got 70 borrow the money TO pay for IT,"
Councilman Powell said that when
the matter first originated he cheer
fully gave his support TO the appro-
priation Of $4,000 for city farm. and
did not see why this sum should be
enlarged.
40 ESTIMATES MADE
on COST OF OPERATION
ION January !. 1916. the city was
behind exactly 100000 In its treasury"
san Councilman Seaton, who IL vice
chairman OF the committee. I'VE have
already spent Sl75.o in excess Of this
year's budget, and the condition Of the
treasury is not healthy one. It would
be Impossible for us 10 think of max
Ing an appropriation TO buy a city
farm until Pine Camp is gold Let US
have some details as to what this farm
is going To cost US 10 maintain and
What it viii cost TO put up the ncces-
sary buildings The farm won't nay
any revenue. and don't expect 4 to-
The best plan thai see IS to include
whatever appropriation We can afford
in next years budget"
Chairman Grundy thought that The
recommendation Of the board should
te carried out. but he and Councilman
Rogers stood alone In this belief
Merits Of the farm were also dis
cussed before the committee by Alder.
man Christian, chairman of ,hc Com
m!ttee on Public Buildings. Properties
and Utilities j T. Tyler. Jr.. one OF
the hrH, citizenE to urge the acIuisi-
ton o! municipal farm: DR. j. r.
Hastin. superintendent Of the state Lee