Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-01

II any complaint ever WAS justified by hard,
i stern facts and supported by miles of in
contrOvertible evidence. il is that OF Gnter
Park and other North Side citizens over the
miserable condition OF those alleged thor
oughfares on which they must travel to and
from Richmond. or the various routes at
their selection there is not one that does
not present with every yard dangers to
tomobile springs and distressing discomforts
to passengers Brook Road. the Hermitage
Road. Chambcrlayne Avenue extension, the
Barton Heights route via North Avenue and
the Boulevard. the Second Street Road and
the Fifth Street Viaduct route, also by way
OF the boulevard, all are unworthy the name
of streets. Certainly they are disgrace to
Richmond and Il menace and abomination 10
all so unfortunate as to be compelled to travel
SUGGESTIONS of ruts and holes through which an
automobile must be driven at snul's pace
and with utmost care If it is not to meet
with disaster. With few days of real
winter weather the bottom will drop out OF
these roads such as they are now. and they
will become impossible except under most
difficult conditions.
Thus Ginter Park is cut off from highway
connection with the city proper. and its resi-
dents who dare not brave road terrors have
TO rely on the street cars which is as Il touch
OF the fire after ordeal in the frying pan.
This service is inadequate. the ir
regularly and in the morning and evening
rush hours they are damned to the point
of suhocation. Standing room is ut pre-
mium--often unobtainable-a when the
tedious trip is completed it is nj the eX-
penSS of valuable time and 10 the endangcr-
mcnt of health
1t is no wonder the people complain
These conditions are bad enough in all con-
science. but apparently at least they are the
victims OF bad faith on the part OF the city.
II is remembered that at the time OF anneXa-
tion to Richmond the residents OF this suburb
were not anxious TO abandon their corporate
identity. Richmond had little il could Of
fer them, for already they had their own
city conveniences. including beautiful. paved
streets. AS one OF the inducements to gain
their assent the city agreed to construct
boulevard with a viaduct spanning Shockoe
bottom that they might have proper physical
connection with Richmond. Chamberlayne
Avenue was to be extended and the long.
roundabout trip through Barton Heights and
First Street made unnecessary. What has
the city done? Nothing. Conditions have
gone from bad TO worse. and even the once
beautiful streets in Ginter Park now are
in a deplorable state. They are sorey in
need OF resurfacing and at present are not
Mt for automobile or any vehcular traffic
liz order to leave Ginter Park to the north
it is necessary to travel over n half-mile OF
nasty road as there is in Virginia before
the macadamized highway OF the county of
fers relief Thus the suburb is literally
hemmed in by almost impossible barriers OF
cross ruts and bottomless chuck holes
Director OF Public Works Boiling promises
that he will ask Council for funds with which
the streets connecting Ginter Park and Rich
mond may be put in proper repair. This, OF
course. would help some if it is done imme-
diately but road work in midwinter does
not hold out much encouragement to the
sufferers In the meantime, the Council
should consider means TO make these roads
permanently passable. and ii also should find
some way whereby it can perform its part
OF the agreement into which it entered with
Gnter Park. Nothing short OF that carried
out in good faith. can be satisfactory or Just