Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-09
ADOPT THE MEASURE
ORDINANCE ABOUT RIVER WATER.
POWER RECOMMENDED.
THE CONDITIONS OF The FRANCHISE.
Company Must Build Not Less Than
One Nor More Than Two Squares
Plan with Proper Restrictions.

There was a meeting last evening o
the subcommittee OF the Committee OF
Streets. to which was referred the petit
ton OF the Virginia Electric Company
| Of Baltimore, for the privilege OF usinl
the water power OF James river, so fai
as the city is concerned. for the purpose
| of furnishing power for plants and enter
prises of all kinds in the city of Rich
mond. Those present were Chairman
| Ebel, Messrs. Bahen, Foster, j. ]. END
j. NJ. King the City Engineer and At
torney. representatives Of variou:
business interests, and Mr. Todd, of the
Virginia Electric Company.
The ordinance prepared by the City
Attorney and Engineer, granting the fran
chise asked for, was read and fully ex-
planned by both these officers. Both the
Attorney and Engineer seemed inclined
toward the granting of the franchise
under proper restrictions.
ITS SUCCESS IS ASSURED.
A representative OF the Virginia Elec-
trio Company Mr.. Todd, spoke briefly
touching the matter. He said that he
had gone carefully over the ordinance
and did not think that there were any
provisions in II that his company would
object to. The speaker referred to pro-
yisional contracts that had been made
with the Richmond Railway and Elec-
trio Company and others, and said that
the success OF the movement was prac-
tically assured.
Mr.. Henry l.. Cabell, representing
committee of businessmen present. said
that of the many schemes mentioned for
the development OF Richmond, the utili-
zation of the water power Of the James
river was the most practical and bene-
fetal.
The great need OF cheap power in the
city's manufactures was pointed out,
and the speaker closed by asking prompt
action upon the petition in hand.
Mr.. Cabell's remarks were followed by
brief statements in favor OF the scheme
by Messrs. S. w. Travers. Of the Cham
Der of Commerce, and Henry Lee Valen-
tine, vice-president of the Young Mems
Business Association, and on motion OF
Mr.. Foster the ordinance was considered
seriatim.
Several clauses of the ordinance evoked
a great deal Of discussion, especially
that as TO the number of squares the
company should be required to conduit
per year. 1t was agreed that the COM
pany should be required to put down
conduts in not less than one nor more
than two squares per year. The privi-
leges were granted for a term Of thirty
years. The measure contains the usual
provisions as to fines, etc.
NO BOND is REQUIRED.
Mr.. ]. NJ. King made fight to have
the company required to put up bond
of $1,000 to be forfeited in the event 1t
should not commence and complete the
work within the time prescribed in the
ordinance. Mr.. Meredith stated that this
would infiict a hardship upon the enter
prise. and would mean that no one would
accept such a franchise.
A motion made by Mr.. King to require
the bond was defeated by vote Of l
aye to noes.
The ordinance, as amended, was
adopted ayes TO l nay-and sent to
the City Attorney to be put into proper
shape before it's final recommendation
to the general Committee on Streets.
The Committee on Finance met last
night and transacted routine business.