The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-09
WISH ORDINANCE REVOKED
ACTION or THE RICHMOND
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

nniitee on Inland Trade, made a verbal re-
bort in reference 70 the question Of delay on
shipments 20 points on the Atlantic and
Danville railroad, in which he said that the
trsAc manager Of said road, while denying
that any delays were due to the manner IN
which trafic from Richmond was handled
by this line, at the same time gave assur-
snces that every effor. should be made on his
mart 20 secure the delivery Of goods with the
Utmost possible dispatch. Further than this
his committee had not proceeded m the
matter, the condition OF the affairs OF the
railroad rendering ihe present Time uniaV'
orab,e for investigation.
Mr.. Travers then said, as chairman OF the
Committee on Inland Trade, he would take
The liberty of calling the attention OF the
chamber 10 the fact that an ordinance
passed by the City Council OF Richmond
prohibited the Sc Of the connection track
between the Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac and Richmond aud Petersburg
railroads by trains drawn by locomotives
after April lot Of the present year. lie
said the effect OF this ordinance would be 20
reouire through passenger trains 10 pass
around the CITY by the belt line, and that II
would moreover subject travellers to and
IRON the city 20 the inconvenience 81 being
transferred from the through trains 10
fere for grave consideration 10 Richmond
and its citizens. and as best illustrating the
situation. he had heard II intimated that II
the CITY could stand such a change the rail-
road could do so.
SUBJECT DISCUSSED.
The subject was then discussed freely by
members Of the Chamber. Mr.. ID. Buch-
amman inquired il there was any prOhabil.
ity of the tunnel under Eighth street benz
completed, and IL so, whether this would
not afford a route for the passenger trains Of
the Atlantic Coast Line. But no iniOrma-
ton was elected on TINS point. Mr. 1. W.
Burr, OF 1905 west Broad street said that
asa person located in part Of the city
through which the connection track ran. he
had given the subject much consideration
that he thought great injury would be done
Richmond by tie disuse Of this connection.
and that many people who were induced TO
stop here now, would, il through trains
passed around the city, not stop IN the
future
Major Joseph Walker. Of Chesterfield
county, while admitting that be would like
10 see a depot Of importance on the elmer
side of the river, so far rs the Interest Of
Chesterfield was concerned, said that he
did not desire il to be established at the eX-
pense Of Richmond; and that. II Ken.
mond man, be would be strongly opposed
10 the disuse OF this connection track by
passenger trains.
RISKY THING.
MIR. II. A. Whitlock expressed the opinion
that IL would be a very risky thing for Rich
mond 10 prohibit the use of this track ioi
passenger service, as IL was highly proba-
bic. he thought, that the railroad would
then put on what is known as "sh0O-ny
trains'' TO serve the travellers to and from
the city.
The question was such a serious one. he
said, that il should be- referred 10 the Com
mittea on Inland Trade, with power 10 act
In the premises. and for mat purpose ne o.
fered the following
Resolved That the committee be request
ed TO consider and report 10 the Board Oh
Directors Of the Chamber the pr0prety OIL
petitiOning the City Council TO Tescind the
ordinance prohibiting after April lst, lS9l'
the use Of the connecting track between
Elba and Byrd-street depot by trains drawn
by locomotives, 50 far as said ordinance re-.
lates 10 passenger trains. IL being the
sense of this Chamber that the Atlantic
Coast Line should be- allowed 10 run pas
senger trains over saiG connection track.
Mr.. james Lyons, seconded the resolution
and i'm doing so said that he had given this
question much thought, his father having
been president of this road, and in one way
or another having always been interested III
IL: that ii had been operated in the interest
of the city and its affairs 50 conducted that
as far as he knew II had never been enJoin'
ed, sued for damages or killed any passen-
gers or citizens; that in the city OF W ASH
ineton a bill had been passed permit
ting the Pennsylvania and other railroads
free ingress. and that we could mol
afford 10 be behind the times; that Tia con-
nection track passed through most AT.
tractiye and imposing part OF the ciiy' ana
was the best advertisement with the travel
ing public that Richmond could have; that
hn1 pf al
greatly in vogue showed the resources and
nroducts of a section Of country by taking
Them all over the United States. while We
displayed our attractions and advantages
10 something like 100000 travellers annually
by means Of this connection track
GLAD HE REFERRED TO II.
President Purcell said that he was very
glad that MIR. Trayers had referred to thi-
question, and that the Chamber had consid'
cred IL with - much interest that IL had oc-
cupied his attention, and that he was en-
gagged i'm gathering some statistics IN fele'-
ence 10 "A similar case In Charleston, :. G.;
Thai passengers 10 and from Charleston were
forced 10 change ears at Ashley Junction.
a station some miles from Charleston, and
through trains passed around that ci'y
that the citizens Of Charleston are so pro
foundry impressed with the INJURY done lhehi
by this arrangement, that they emploNcu
ton of taking away the charter oil the
railroad for not having, as provided It's de
not nj or near Charleston; that in the cry oil
Washington. as stated. Philadelphia, New
Nork. Cincinnati 81. Louis. ana olhei
cities, such privileges were freely granted
and that we could not afford 10 bulid Cnl-
nese wall around our city on account OF Tue
COMPLAINT OF few Of our citizens; that he
honed the matter would be referred to the
Committee on Inland Trade. and that theN
would make such report as couil go l'r'h
with the impress of the Chambers apprO-
val.
LIBERAL POLICY.
Dr. Johp Mahouey also favored the rcsCe-
tion. and cited instances where such priv
leges were granted 10y larger cities.
Mir. Thomas Christian also supported tue
resolution. and compared the railroad
facilities Of Detroit with those of Richmond
and explained how business was greatly
facilitated IN the former city by liberal
policy towards the railroads.
DIR. j. Hall Moore, IN faNoring the use OF
the connection track for passenger trans
called attention 20 tue lac' 'l"' piOP
near this track which years ago only sofa
for something like $50 a foot would now, IN
some instances. command as much as SoOV
a foot. showing that the value Of adjacent
property had not been injured.
Mr.. III. l.. Staples said that while ne was
one Of those unfortunate cltIehs hNihs'hc"i
this line, and had hoped % see II removed
thai he was now so Impressed with the ar
guments IN favor Of its continued use lot
passenger trains that he would heartily sup
port the resolution.
The resolution was then unanimously
adopted by the Chamber.
TO PROMOTE CONSTRUCTION.
Colonel John Il. Cary then submitted
resolution referring TO the committee on
Inland Trade, the question Of something
y being done TO promote the construction OF
!. The road from Ridgeway, \. c., TO Rich.
q mond. which he said would bring Richmond
about one hundred miles nearer Atlanta,
Ga. and afford third competing route for
Southern trade.
In dealing with this question he asked
that the committee should also consider