Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-11
ion the bond made the company respou.

Mr.. Petticolas on "Wednesday and inspect
ed the crack on his property. He went
there again yesterday, when be discovered
that the crack had considerably widened.
The bricks in the yard pavement had gone
down and IL q ANAL child should happen
10 step into one OF these cracks IL would
be very apt 20 break leg. In regard to
making the tunnel safe be wanted TO know
IL tins could not be done by lining the
opening with masonry work.
TOO LATE TO BRACE THE TUNNEL.
Colonel Cutsbaw here stated that IL was
too late 20 brace the tunnel. and besides 1t
was piece OF work that would entail too
much risk.
Mr.. Preston Belvin stated that Mr.. Reed,
the president of tho company. would bc IN
the city By the time designated for the
meeting Of the Joint committee. which he
had been told wac July 18th. Mr.. Simmons.
one Of the stockholders. who lives IN New
Jersey. had recently passed through some
financial difficulties which necessarily de-
layed work to some extent.
Mr.. Bclvin said tho work so for had cost
about $4,000 to citizens Of Richmond,
and over $4,000 had been spent by one
gentleman alone, He added that On Eng
lish company had been backing the COM
pany. but did not want 10 put in any
money until summons had emerged from
his financial embarrassment. This had
recently occurred, and bonds were now in
London ready 10 be placed. He thought
the company was now prepared and ready
TO push the work and make the tunnel
good in the manner prescribed by the
charter.
A GYNERAL DISCUSSION.
With this information from such sources
general discussion was brought up, and
Sir. Stratton was the fl 4 on the floor. He
wanted 10 know if IT was true that the
company braced the tunnel with old TIM
bers III the beginning. Colonel Cutshaw
stated that that was question he could
not answer: he could only speak of their
present condition.
Upon inquiry as what course the COM
pany wOuld probably pursue If left to
them. Mr.. BelyIn said that he was not
prepared 10 say what Mr.. Reid would pro-
pose. but that the latter claimed the
company was ready TO resume the work.
MIR. Belyin here requested the committee
TO postpone action until next Saturday, III
order 10 give Mr. Reid an opportunity to
come 10 Richmond and present has own
views.
Mr. Curtis was Of the opinion that this
courtesy should be extended Mr.. Reed and
sugqoste such a procedure granting TO
Colonel Cutshaw the privilege Of taking
such steps as he might deem necessary to
street. The engineer here said it would
take at least two or three months to wall
the tunnel with masonry.
In answer TO a question Mr.. Belvin as
serted that he thought the company was
ready to arch the tunnel at once.
NECESSARY TO BARRrCipE TIE STRICT.
II was tho opinion of many that the City
Engineer should proceed Immediately to
take action in the matter, and he was asked
about the progress he considered he could
make IN day. He said he could com
incnce at o'clock this morning with fifty
hands and twenty five carts and could do
considerable good within 4 LAY or two,
but most of the dirt would necessarily
have TO be hauled great distance. In The
first place, he said, he thought. 1t would
be absolutely necessary to barrlcade the
street and have the houses Of the vicinity
vacated.
A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
At this point Mr.. Curtis offered motion
TO adjourn TO meet again on Saturday eve
ming at o'clock, with the instruction that
the CITY Engineer should take such action
a. he should deem necessary in The mean
time.
This was opposed by one or two, who
thought that the matter was one too APP
parent of danger TO be deferred al all.
MIR. Iurpin took very adverse ground
TO proceeding to fill the tunnel at once,
stating that these men had put out $4,000
in money 10 do the work, and he doubted
If the committee had the authority to have
the tunnel filed. The Council might have
but he wanted the advice of the City Attor-
ney.
Mr. Gray asked who would be response
bic if house were to fall and XII some
one. and the chairman answered that ne
was of opinion the city would be the direct
source of resort for damages.
Mr.. Turpin was satisfied the BODY should
not go ahead with any work without the
advice of the City Attorney, and stated
that he would absent himself from the |
next meeting unless that very essential |
person should be present.
A SPECULATIVE INVESTMENT.
Mr.. Gray said he was anxious that the |
City Engineer should be instructed to |
avert danger. He did not want the CITY |
put in for any more damage than possible.
He said: These gentlemen have gone |
into this thing as speculation
Mr. Belvin arose and replied: >" don't !
see how You think man of ordinary |
means would put $4,000 into an enter
prise rs speculation. | call 1t an invest
nent."
Yes; speculative Investment" Ie-
turned Mr.. Gray. These speculations |
are all called investments"
A resolution by Mr.. StrattOn inhblnE uil |
appropriation of 81, 900 for the purpose OF
filing the tunnel was not passed, and Mr.. |
Curtis's motion to adjourn was amended so
that the adjournment be till Monday after
noon at o'clock.
The amendment was seconded and the
Clerk ordered to call the roll. The follow
ing gentlemen were in favor OF the post
ponement of action until Monday: Messrs.
Bahen, Curtis, Turpin,, Hargrove, Chris,
tan, Carneal. and Steel. Those opposed
were: Messrs. Gray, Stratton, Thomas,
and Capers.
Mr.. Belvin asked to be excused from
voting.
At tho next meeting, it is hoped the
president of the Richmond and Chesa-
peake Railroad Company will be present,
and that speedy action Will be taken.
The street will be barricaded this morn
ing, and Colonel Cutshaw will advise such
families to move as he thinks are in i'm
mediate danger. The property-owners are
very much wrought up, and unless prompt
and vigorous steps are taken to properly |
repair the street legal proceedings VIII
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