The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-28
WASTE FLOW OF The JAMES.
Applications Of the Companies that
Wish 10 Utilize II
70 Be CONSIDERED THIS AFTERNOON.
Ordinances Under which They VIII Ope-
ratc--The Proposition TO Put the City's
Finances in the Hands of a Com
mission--Othcr Matters,

To-day viii be q busy one among the
municipal committees. and matters of
great Importance 20 the well-being Of the
city viii be considered. The subject which
is now arousing the greatest interest, es-
rccaily among the manufacturers and
business men Of the city generally, is the
application Of three electric companies
to come ln and DO business in Richmond
their specific purpose being to utilize the
waste flow of the James river and 10 de-
,elop electric power, which will be trans
mittod throughout the city to be used as
the motive power Of factories, and also
for lighting
THE COMPANIES APPLYING.
Tho companies who are now applying
for franchises are the Virginia Electric,
Of Baltimore and the Southern and Home
OF Richmond. These applications will
come before the street Committee, which
meets at O'Clock this afternoon.
At o special meeting OF this committee
held last Monday afternoon, am ordinance
was considered seriatim granting 20 the
Virginia Electric Company the privilege
asked. The various sections, after some
amendments of more or less Importance,
we're adopted and tho paper referred 20
the City Attorney in order that the
changes recommended might De properly
embodied The ordinance this afternoon
will be formally adopted. and will doubt
less be ratified by the Common Council.
which meets November 1st. and by the
Board of Aldermen, which Will convene
November gth.
BEGIN WORK IN A YEAR.
Under the terms of the ordinance the
Virginia Electric Company will within one
year from its approval begin the work of
constructing their plant. and Boy the oX-
piration from the date upon which the
ordinance becomes "a law VIII Doe i'm a
position 10 furnish electric power TO the
mauuk cturers of the city
The magnitude of the work and amount
Of money which will Doe expended iu Rich
mond can Doe f0rccastod from the fact
that $4,000 have already been spent boy
the company n preliminary survey OF the
river
That the company win receive liberal
support from the manufacturers OF luch-
moud is already assured. since their re-
urcsentatiyo has secured conditionally
the expenditure of The large sum Of
money which viii boz necessary TO con-
struct the plant. Tho largest single con-
tract which the new company viii have
is to furnish power tO the mighty plant
operated hv tho Richmond Locomotive
and Machine Works Company. These
works have grown 90 such am extent. and
su many large contracts have begun To
pour 600 upon them that the day is not
far distant when the 3ao-horsc power
CorlIss engine now used will Doe entirely
inadequate Co supply the necessary power
to run the vast network 0f belts and
pullcys.
THE OTHER APPLICANTS.
AZ the meeting this afternoon the Ordi-
n1nccs granting franchises t0 the South
crn and Home Companics will also Doe
considered. hut as their provisions arc
almost Identical with those embodied Don
the ono granting rights to the Virginia
Electric Company. hut little time is likely
60 be expended in their consideration.
These companies. DO is understood, pro-
pose TO DO 20 business similar 20 that I'm
which the Virginia Electric Company VIII
engage. 10 is said that no objection will
bo raised to granting them charters either
in tho street Committee or in the two
branches ~ thc Council.
Tho Councilmcn arc anxious for al tho
capital TO come into Richmond that G7n
possibly Dc induced to DO so. and the
majority of them are in favor of adopting
a. very liberal policy in regard u the
granting OF franchises
CHANGES lN THE CHARTER
The committee which has I'm hand tho
consideration of alterations which the
coming Legislature win bc requested go
make in tho clty's charter. will meet toe
night no s o'clock
ON account OF tho unavoidable absence
Of thc city Attorney from the last meet
iuc tc plan providing for ihc placing of
tho finances of 'hc city under Finance
Commission. could not De considered. AT
thc meeting Tonight however this viii
he Tho subject off discussion
The pl1n which was drawn by AFR
Meredith. and which has hccn printed in
FUN in The Times. is roeardcd 10y many
members Of tho committce as an admirable
piece of work. but others are opposed
60 70. and there will Doe q strong fight Dee
fore it receives tho ondorsation of the
BOARD Of Aldermen and Common Coun-
on
OTHER MEETINGS.
Tho Comu1ittcc ON Second Market will
meet this afternoon at o'clock.
THE Co@R Rittce ON Health win meet at
o'clock
Tho Committee on schools viii meet at
o'clock
The Committee on water will meet at
7.G0 o'clock