The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-15
SEVERAL QUESTIONS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE
The Select Council Holds Protracted and
Highly Interesting Session.
MOVE TO SECURE LITTLE CREEK FOR A WATER SUPPLY
Committed to Aggressive Fight with the Bell Telephone
Company-After Reconstructed City Charter.

The Select Council met last evening
in regular session, with the following
members present: Mcssrs. Lowenberg
Jones. Cooper, kizer, Baldwin, Free
man and Greenwood.
In the absence of President Carroll
Mr.. Lowenberg took the chair.
After the reading of the minutes the
Council proceeded TO act on business
from the Common Council
The resolution for the Improvement of
Chapel street was passed, there not be-
ing the required number OF members
present.
The report of the Ordinance Commit
tee. adopted by the Common Council, in
the matter Of the Southern Bell Tcle-
phone franchise, was read, and a mo-
ton to concur was made.
The ordinance provides, in chief, as
follows: A bond OF $4,000 to indemnify
the city against damage that might re-
suit from the telephone construction
work; space on poles and in conduits for
fire alarm wires; five free phones; 8 per
cent. of gross receipts; a bond OF $50, 900
to indemnify the city against possible
damage for which she might become
liable 10 the Southern States Telephone
company by reason of possible conflict
of ordinances; all work to be done un-
der the control and direction of the
A|puiN VI lGul SDIbTCl, SeIN.cP
rates not to be below those charged by
any other telephone company ror same
service; no exclusive rights.
Mr.. Baldwin made a few remarks on
the subject, making the point that
there was doubt as to whether the
city could legally fix a maximum rate
and he suggested that the question be
referred to the City Attorney, and that
action To be delayed FOR his opmion He
thought that the city thereby might be
saved considerable expense. He then of
fered as substitute. that the City At
torney be asked to render a-dccision
upon the point in question
MIR. Jones said that the Council was
not rushing into the thing. That In
case of trouble he thought the city
would be saved from EXPENSE the case
would go off on its merits
\ vote resulted in the substitute being
loSt by a vote Of to 9.
The motion no concur was then Du.
and carried.
This report now adopted by both
bodies, recommends, as has been stated
in The Nirginian of the Sth instant,
that the City Attorney he authorized
and directed TO proceed with all reason
able dispatch TO take such steps by
legal proceedings or otherwise, to pro
hibit the Southern Bell Telephone COM
pany from doing n local business The
Finance Committee Is authorized and
directed TO advise with the City Attor-
ney and aid him in prohibiting said
company from doing business.
All other business from the Common
Council was concurred in, except in the
matter OF the petition of City Apotheca-
ry Archer for an increase OF salary.
which was tabled.
TO THE LEGISLATURE.
Under the head of new business the
Council then took up the matter of the
proposed purchase of subways. In this
connection the following report OF the
special committee on the subject was
read:
After consideration Of the question
referred TO us in the matter of the pur-
chase of the subwayS and obtaining the
| opinion of the City Attorney, which we
herewith submit. We propose for your
| adoption the following resolutions:
BE 1t resolved by the Common and
Select Councils OF the city OF Norfolk.
That our representatives in the Legis-
| lature be requested to obtain an amend
ment to the charter or the city so as
| to give the city OF Norfolk full authority
10 purchase existing subways, to con-
Struct new Subways and power to COM
! pei all overhead wires within the limits
| of the city to occupy the same Mt an
| equitable rental; and that the City At
| torney be authorized ana directed to pre-
| pare bill in accordance with the pro-
| visions Of this resolution"
| The City Attorneys letter referred to
states in substance, that the State can
| confer upon the city the right to com
| pei wires to be put under ground, but
| that this authority cannot contravene
| Federal authority as relates to Inter
! state Commerce or post roads; that the
State oan authorize the city to own
| cnnduits, require n reasonable rental for
the same Such authority has not so
| far. been granted to the city.
On motion the report OF the special
committee was unanimously adopted.
All properly approved bills were or
| dcred paid.
THE WATER QUESTION AGAIN
The questicr, Of additional water sup
| ply came UP again, and the report of
| the Water Commission was read.
| This report was substantially as fol-
! lows:
J. That the chairman of the Water
Commission correspond with the owners
| OF Lake Drummond as TO what terms
they will furnish the city with water.
2. That the Superintendent Is directed
| to investigate the feasibility of securing
| q supply by means Of gang wells.
3. That the Commission refer to the
Councils the report of City Engineer
Brooke. supplemented by report Of
| Messrs. Graham and Riddle OF June 80,
| 1895. and it was resolved by the water
Commission that the report include n
| request that the City Attorney be in
| st,mcted to institute proceedings by con-
demnation or otherwise, ~ may lead to
the requirement OF Little Creek or any
portion thereof.