Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-24
'C|TY'S MONEY NOT
FOR MILITARY CAMP
Council Finance Committee De-
clines to Appropriate $4,000
for Mobilization Site.
HAS NO ESTIMATE OF COST
City Has Already Spent $4,000,
and Military Men Are
Not Satisfied.
HAS NO ESTIMATE OF COST

+, Unexpected opposition developed last
night In the Council Committee on FL
nance toward recommending the ap-
preparation OF money to defray the ex-
pehse incident to providing Il mobili-
zation camp at Sherwood Park for the
virginia National Guard and. despite
warning that Petersburg would prob
ably be chosen by the Var Depart
ment for this purpose, the committee
refused to act
resolution to appropriate $4,000
&c establish the camp here was intro
duced In the Common Council. called In
special session for the expressed pur-
pose. by Councilman Mills. who said
that he offered the measure by re-
quest II was first decided to ask the
Council to appropriate $4,000. but. fol-
lowing conference between city and
military officials yesterday. IL was de-
cided best to Increase this sum by
5000
The measure Mas referred to the FL
nance Committee. which met immc-
diately aftcrward. and following {,
lively discussion. which lasted for more
than an hour. IL WAS laid on the table.
Had vote been taken the resolution
would undoubtedly have been defeated
outright.
HOLD CONFERE:NCE WITH
MILITARY AUTHORITIES
At the request Of Mayor Ainslie.
President Peters. Of the Common Coun-
Gil; President Adams. OF the Board OF
Aldermen: Chairman Grundy. OF the
Finance Committee. and Commissioner
Beck. OF the Administrative Board. had
conferred with Acknowledgement Sale
and other State military officers con-
cernlng the establishment, Of the mobi
lization camp here.
Mr.. Peters and Mr. Grundy cham
pioned the cause when the matter came
before the Finance Committee. The
former told the committee that the
choice of the camp had boon narrowed
down by the military authorities be-
tween Richmond and Petersburg. lie
said that the latter city had offered a
suitable site and $50. QUO 10 equip IT,.
and that II was UP 70 Richmond to
take some decisive action Il the 5000
troops, expected To he soon mvbilz"d.
to come TO Richmond.
In response to a question from Coun-
Gilman Jones. or the committee. MIR.
Peters said that none OF the money
appropriated would he spent in the
event that mobilization pihhS dld not
materialize. "Ktchmrnd viii. indeed,
be given a black eve II We refuse TO
give this money" said the president
OF the Common Council. we mus,
not stand back now.
N,yrr, rOr STATE. NoI
FOR CITY SAYS MILLS
rouhc'I'''ah Nils eN'" VIC 49,
'.'1' ,,,., ,,a So. arn
.r =; ,h,s ,>b.rac,er
az appropriations which have put the
c,tv treasury v.hcr. II is to-day" said
Mr. Mills - don't feel that | should
vnto for this pupcr. and thereby tell
the people that am wiling 10 open
the gates and take tn" Id off the city
treasury. Let our patriotic citizens
who would reap the benefit from such
a camp pu, up The money to equip il.
am not unpatriotic when | say this.
certainly do not think that the city's
iii should be tapped for this purpose.
II they want 10 go 10 Petersburg. let
them go
In response 10 Mr.. Mills. Chairman
Grundy said that. AS purely bus
mess matter, the city should provide
funds for tho camp. ''As an adver-
Using scheme" he said. II think that
this would be tile best money we could
spend. do not feel that Richmond.
our metropolis. can afford not /" do
this. Our people will benefit from this
camp of 5000 soldiers and the inc'-
dentals and tho money which VIII be
spent"
Then the people who Will be bene-
fted are those who should pay for
It." iaterposcu mir. Ni'i's.
COMMITTIE BLAMED,
'"
II am going to vote against TINS
resolution" said Councilman Hnddon.
eve have been damned coming ana
going. We have been damned If we
did and damned II we didn't All OF
us are aware of the criticism which
has been aimed at us Tor our actions
in the past IN spending the c,tys
money"
Mr. Mills agreed with this express