Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-29
TO WAITTWO WEEKS
THE STREET COMMITTEE GIVES THE
TUNNEL PEOPLE MORE TIME.
Promise TO Pay for Damages In that Time
shy OF the Record-Otber Business
James.Riycr Matters.

The Street Committee with Sub-Cbair-
man Turpin and nine other members
present, devoted more than an hour or
its session last night 10 the consideration
OF the EIghth-street tunnel matter. A
number OF speeches were made. motions
were submitted. and then withdrawn so
as 20 prevent any recorded action being
taken In the absence of the City Attor-
ney whose advice was desired, and the
subject was finally passed by for two
weeks with the understanding that unless
the company shall have paid all judg-
time and gotten Its affairs in shape to
proceed with the srching Of the excava-
ton. prompt steps will be taken to have
the tunnel filled up and the street re-
stored TO proper condition.
ASK FOR TWO WEEKS.
Messrs IL. NJ Smith, Jr., and n, p.
Reed. counsel and president respescthiyeiy, Z vel,
Company, both addressed the committee,
| asking that action be deferred for two
weeks. I'm which time negotiations would
be concluded by which Mr.. Reed would
! secure $500 10 pay the damage Judg-
ments against the company and TO pay
Mason, Hoge & Co. the $4,000 now due
them and the $1,000 that II would cost
20 finish bricking up the distance that
has been dug out and braced with timbers:
Mr.. Smith said recent occurrences had
given him more confidence In this under
! taking than he had ever had before, re-
viewed the difficulties with which Mr.
Reed had been confronted, and said he
had not only spent $1,000 OF his own
money in the enterprise, but gave Mason.
Hoge G. Co a mortgage Tor $4,000 on his
beautiful Staten Island home. Mr.. Smith
also told about the visit Of Mr.. Birdseye,
a prominent New York attorney, TO this
city last week in the interest of trust
company which proposed to lend S25,OO TO
Mr.. Reed now and half million Tor
| building the tunnel II an acceptable fran
chisF Is secured. Mr.. Reed assured the
cOmnittee that he had been perfectly
honest in every assurance that he had
over given and that he would have carried
| out all Of his obligations but for the great
| financial stringency.
MIR. RICHARDSON SPEAKS PLAINLY.
| Mr. ID. G. Richardson. representing one
| OF the damaged Eighth-street property
owners, opposed any extension Of time,
anC In 40 doing spoke quite plainly about
| the shortcomings of the company ana
| the cutrages TO which the citizens had
been subjected. He said he believed the
whole tunnel matter In its incipiency was
a fraud. He had never heard of such a
| thing as 100000 being expended at the
terminus OF road before lick or work
| had been done at any other point. The
object was simply to get from the city
| a franchise. This had been secured and
one party had unloaded upon another ana
l the other was now trying 10 unload upon
somebody else. He would not complain
| of these schemes IL the citizens OF Rich
mond We're not injured by them. Mr..
| Richardson declared that he did not be-
lieve any syndicate or trust company was
going to put $4,000 more In that hole,
and said If Mr.. Reed did not have the
money and could put up securities in New
Xarlr no ehnn1I hassa hFQnUhf them here
and put them up with the committee or
| the City Treasurer to show that he was
| acting In good faith in what he proposed
| to do.
After considerable discussion the COM
| mittae adopted a motion offered by Mr..
| Stratton. that when the body adjourned II
be to meet again on the evening Of Decem-
! Der J4th at 8 o'clock, and that the city
Attorney be instructed 10 be present.
| OTHER BUSINESS.
| 4 number of questions OF alley improve
| ments were disposed OF; bills We're ap
proved, and other routine business dis
Mr. Stratton requested the clerk e
! notify the property-Owners on north Mint
! street 10 appear before the committed
| at its next meeting in reference to th'
| grade OF that street.
| James River Matters.
There was a sort of informal confer
| ence on board one Of the city tugs yes
| terday afternoon between the members
| or the Committee on James RIVER I'm
| provement and that on Finance. Two
| members OF the latter body-Chalrmar
| Tanner and Mr.. Murphy-were present
| Several OF the members OF the two com
| mitteea. headed by Chairman Curtis
| assembled on the boat, had a ride dowI
| the river to see how the work was pro
| crossing. talked about removing some
| dirt from the channel about the monitors
| and river matters In general IL Is under
| stood that the real object OF the ses
| sion on the tug was 10 show the flnan
| ciers the river work. and ascertain theil
| Views in reference 10 the eXpedlency O
| purchasing the new steel boat and sell
| Ing larger part OF the old plant. Al
| elegant dinner on board the tug was az
| interesting part Of the trip down th'
| stream.