Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-29
STH-STREET TUNNEL.
THE COMPANY ASK EioHTeEN
MONTHS IN WHICH TO BUILD ".
Proposed Extension ef scvsnth etrest-Ths
New Manchester ssrest-Car Lins--
Finance Commlttse.

The Richmond and Chesapeake Railway
Company want an extension Of timo In
which to complete the tunnelunder Eighth
street.
The contract for this work has been
awarded to Mason q Hoge, one Of tho best
known and most reliable firms Of contract-
ors in the country. They are willing and
guarantee that the work will be completed
in eighteen months IL the Council viii
grant that time.
DISCUSSION OF THE NArrIB.
The question Of extending the limit was
brought up and discussed at the meeting
of the Street Committee last night.
Anumber OF gentlemen were present rep
rescntine the Richmond and Chesapeake
road; Colonel 10. Lane Stern was their
counsel and principal spokesman. Hemade
q brief statement OF the case. claiming that
the company has ample means to push the
work to completion. The contract, be
said, has been given to Mason Il Hoge. and
this firm state positively that the tunnel
can be finished in eighteen months--possi-
bly, in one year.
AN AMENDED ORDINANCE.
Colonel Stern submitted an amendment
70 the ordinance providing for the con-
struction of the tunnel-as follows:
Bel ordained by he Council Of the city Of
Richmond That section of an ordinance
entitled IAN ordinance to allow the Rich
mond and Chesapeake Railroad Company
TO construct tunnel under Eighth street
and to lay certain tracks," approved May
~. 1882 be amended and reordained 50 as
to read as follows:
The construction Of said tunnel shall be
begun within sixty days from May 5, 1893,
and shall be pushed with reasonable dill
gence satisfactory to the City Engineer.
and shall. be completed within eighteen
months from February, 1890.
THE CONTRACTORS.
Mr.. Hoge was invited to address the
committee. which he did very Briefly, de-
claring that the proposed work can easily
be done in eighteen months. The only
trouble they would have to contend with
is procuring brick TO do the arching.
These the contractors will have to make
for their own use. This he gave rs the rea-
son why it is desirable for their time to ex-
tend through two seasons.
ANEW YORKER.
Mr.. II. w. Bond, of New York, chief
engineer for the New York and Dunn's
Point road, assured the committee that the
company now has sufficient means with
which TO prosecute the work.
Mr.. Stratton wanted TO know IL this u
the same old company or if new parties
are interested.
Mr.. Bond replied that the corporation Is
composed of exactly the same gentlemen
TO whom the ordinance was originally
granted.
THE ACTION.
Mr.. Stratton wanted time to confer
with the people about this important mat
ter, and suggested that the petition for
the extension of time be referred to tho
Engineer, and City Attorney to report TO q
future meeting of the committee.
Mr.. Glover said he would go rs far as any
one TO protect the interest of the city. but
when q matter ia involved which will cause
nearly million of dollars to be paid out
in Richmond no wanted the members To
act quickly.
After some further discussion Mr.. STRAIT
toms motion was adopted. IL was decided
that the subcommittee shall look INTO the
matter to-day and report to called meet
ing of the Street Committee ON thursday
evening at = o'clock.
soUTHsIDE RAILWAY.
A petition was read from the Southeide
Railway and Improvement Company stating
that on account of their inability to get
/ their line of street railway they find it i'm
! possible to complete the work IN the time
/ specified in the charter. They asked FOL
an extension to July 18th. and the City At
! torney was instructed TO prepare an ordi'
nance granting this privilege.
OPENING SEVENTH STREET.
The Finance Committee did not have a
quorum present last night and their meet
/ ing was postponed.
Had they had session a petition would
have been read signed by Dir. A.
/ Langstaif Johnson, engineer OF the
/ Southside Land and Improvement Com
/ pany, aud Messrs. /. Davenport, Jr.. John
Purcell, end W. Il. Trigg (president),, for
/ the Richmond Locomotive Works, asking
/ favorable consideration for the resolution
/ appropriating $1,000 TO extend the present
/ northern terminus of Seventh street TO
/ the corporate limits.
The Southside Land and Improvement
Company want this because they propose
| to extend their line of street railway To
| the Richmond Locomotive and Machine
/ Works and have no other means OF reach
| ing that point. -,
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS will ask the i'm
proyemant TO open another thoroughfare
| for their $50 employees. The petition
claims that it is the best and most practi-
cal route to the improvements on Bartons
/ Heights and to several suburban resi-
| dences.
reasons why the street should be opened
the fact that the acknowledgements are
annually visited by strangers from al
parts Of the country. and at present they
/ have to pass through O most unattractiye
part of the city TO reach that point.
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