The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-10
ONLY $4,000 LEFT TO
Be SPENT ON STREETS.
When South Side Citizens Plead With
Board Chairman Tells Then,
There Are No Funds.
MCCARTHY RoAsTs EDITORS
Petition From Suburban Association
Points Out Pitiable Condition of
South Side Strccts-Have Paid
Much Taxes without Relief.

Startling Information was given a
delegation of South Side citizens when
they appeared before the administra-
tive board yesterday morning to urge
that Semmes avenue be improved at
once, and put in a psssahle condition.
They were told that instead Of the
$4,000 for street Improvement shown
In the 1917 budget. the actual amount
available for that purpose was $4,000
for all streets in the city.
Chairman John Hirschberg then
pointed out the situation, and showed
the delegation where the money has
gone. OF the total amount appropri-
ated, $4,000 is due for work already
done: $4,000 will be required for
bridges, streets and alleys. with 49,
600 of il for bridges; the payroll of
the street repair inspectors must be
taken from the amount appropriated
COR streets generally. and the total
amount will figure, with the addition.
sal 900 which Is already expended or
about to be spent.
Tell IL to Editors" Mccarthy Says.
Thus the $4,000 has dwindled down
to a meagre $4,000. John Il. Morde-
cal, president of the South Side assoc
citation. introduced a number of speak
ers. who plead with the board to pre-
pare some measures for their relief
In the course of proceedings, Captain
Carlton Mccarthy, member Of the
board, took occasion to fire an occas-
ional shot at the uewspa pers and their
editors Make your speech 10 the city
council and the editors of the newspa
ers,' he urged and Incidentally stated
that the editors OF the city were ig
nois"t of existing conditions.
Follow. ing speeches by citizens and
members OF the board. the former pre-
scented a detailed petition asking for
the desired improvements and setting
forth specific reasons for asking that
such improvements he made, AS Il
preface to the petition review of
0onditions in their section OF the city
vas presented ~ the citizens. showing
the amount OF taxes paid by them, and
4 benefits received. The paper states
tn az the assessments ia the Ninth pre-
III Il, Madison ward the boundary Of
III" association. for the last three years
have been s,s,5s7 -, and that e,t5"
persons are represented in the precinct.
with voting force of So
Traffic Ix Dangerous
The petition takes up four typewrit-
ttu pages Of complaint against the CON
uition of Semmes avenue. which ls
said to he in pititully low stage Of
Improvement at this time. such see
irons the follow ing are toQnd
throughout the document: After ans
heavy weather. traffic by automobile
OF other vehicle s not only disagree
able. but dangerous" II is further de-
clared, in regard TO Semmes avenue
said to be the only route citizens in
the Ninth precinct of that ward can
take coming to Richmond. Its con-
dltion j. such that many mercantile
houses refuse to make delivery, and
others do 10 only al irregular inter-
walls. aud slVs inadequate service.
The paper consists OF seven sections,
all dealing with the growing necessi-
" for street Improvement work there
Immediately The board stated that
they were powerless to remedy the cit
uation, sine. the funds provided by the
council for this purpose were not ade-
aLate The citizens o. this section
Of the city feel their need keenly. and
are persistent in their efforts to draw
attention - the poor cecAl-cn OF their
travel facilities other meetings OF
the Suburban assar.:7--57~-E will nc held
within the near future when further
-ction IN the matter will be taken