The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-05
Committee on Labor and Poor DeCite
TO Report The FOlkeS Bill.
THERE VS. A SPICY DISCUSSION,
Messrs. Folkcs and Bland Advocated the
Measure. While Messrs. A. =. Thorn, W.
T.. McGac, \. B. Guigon and l.. Ran
doIph Williams Opposed 1T,

car companies to have vestibuled fronts
to their cars during the winter months.
For three hours the measure was dis
cussed. The debate was not only inter-
esting but az times exceedingly spicy.
Mr. Folkcs, the patron Of the measure,
proved 10 DE man apt AZ repartee and
greatly amused The spectators by his re-
plies to questions asked by lawyers OF
great reputation.
Mr. Charles T. Bland. the del, gate from
Portsmouth. opened the debate in vis-
orous speech in favor OF the measure and
was followed by Mr A. j. Thorn, repre-
senting the Norfolk street car system.
Mr. Thorn made an able presentation or
his side OF the case. lie argued 1t was
not the matter of cost that caused the
people whom he represented to oppose
the bill. There would not be very much
expense in cQuipping cars with vcstibule
fronts The opposition was due 10 the
fact that the motormen would uol be able
20 run the cars with as much safety 20
life and property with the equipment pro-
posed as with opcn fronts 90 the cars.
Mr.. FOLKES' REPLY.
Mr. Folkos asked Mr. Thorn II the Nor
folk street car system was not operated
BY the Richmond Traction Company.
Mr.. Thom replied that certain gentle
men holding stock I'm the Richmond COM
pany might own stock in the Norfolk
company. bat ne was quite sure the con-
trolling interest was not owned by those
who had the controlling interest i'm the
Traction Company.
Mr.. Folkes in replying 10 Mr.. Thorn
said the question 20 BE- decided was one i'm
which the committee had 20 take the side
either Of the public or OF the corporations.
lie wanted it understood that he was not
opposed 20 corporations. lie recognized
them as useful things IN the building up
OF the material interests of "a city or
state. but he contendcd that there arc
times when the l3w-making power has
70 come i'm and put a check upon the opo-
rations OF corporations. As a public SER
want ne believed DO % be his duty 10 use
his efforts = require the street car COM
panies to protect its motormcn from the
cold. Half-frozon men could not run cars
with safety TO life and property.
Mr.. FOlkcs went on 90 argue that 10 was
not necessary 10 have open fronts In Or
der that the motormen might see and hear
of danger He contended that man be-
hind a glass front. whose body was warm
and comfortable. could guild" car with
greater safety than one who was exposed
TO the cold and with no obstruction in
his front
Mr.. w. p. McRae. a former member
Of the House. who is the secretary and
treasurer OF the Petersburg street
railway. made an argument against the
bill He was frank 10 admit that the cost
Of vestibulng the ears was an item or
much Importance TO his company.
OTHER SPEAKERS.
The next speaker was Mr. Z. Randolph
Williams. the president Of the Richmond
Traction Company He said among other
things that if the cars had TO be- vestbul-
cd the mechanism of his cars. which was
as fine as any iu the country. would have
10 bo changed. The most important oh-
lection 20 the vcstibules wa, that the
hearing of The motormen would DEE OBJ
structed and lie would thereby Doe endan-
gercd.
Cautain 4. t. GuigOn, representing the
Richmond Railway and Electric Com
pany said there was no man who was
moro in sympathy with the no
tormcn than himself. lie was fully aware
OF the hariships they had TO encure.
and his company would gladly do iny-
thing within it's power % make their
condition more comfortable. But the
company recognized the fact that while
+hc motormen would be made more
comfortable behind vestibuled fronts the
lives Of the people would Doe endangered
and. therefore. he opposed the BILL
Mr. Folkes closed the debate. Tie said
he had not asked for any radical lesisla-
ton for the wCIkingmcn. but had pre-
sented q very conservative measure wAtch
he thought il the duty Of the Legislature
to pass.
DELEGATE Wilson asked that action on
the bin be postponed until representa-
tive OF the Danville Street Car company
could get here and be heard. lie had "A
telegram from the gentleman saying "1
would come tomorrow.
The committee declined n postpone ac-
ton and went into executive session. NO
recorded vote was taken. but with pos
slblv two or three exceptions all the men,
bers voted for ihe bill.
ELECTION BILL TALK
There is very little talk among the
members of the Legislature ot mak!hS
any material changes in the elcctloi
laws. Occasionally one finds a Senator
or a DeIeeate who IS pledged 20 use MS
efforts to have a new act passed INC
election committees are not tavoraDie lo
any changes in the Walton-Parker law.
except possibly materially after any oi
the provisions OF the act. Chances are
that the present election laws Will NOT
De changed In any respect.
The Senate Committee Oh Public In
stitution and Education Will probably
consider Mr.. McCune's anti flirting bill
some day this week. Mr.. McCune cN-
meets to make a speech I'm favor or the
measure and IL is said he VIII be assisted
bv the principals OF some OF lhe lchlaIe
schools. al whose request the measure
was offered.
Mr.. McCune did not offcr the bill as a
Joke. but he presented IL AT the reques'
OF some OK the educators OF the valley.
TO HELP THE SOLDIERS.
The House Committee on cities Coun-
ties and Towns held an interesting ses-
sion yesterday morning. with Mr. Isaac
Digs OF King William in the chair, ano
considered "a number OF bils.
Mr. James y. Stu65s. Of Gloucester.
appeared before the committee In favor
Of his bill. allowing counties aud cities
10 levy special tax Of not more than
four cent on each hundred dollars worth
of property for the creation Of pension
funds TO assist Oh Confederate soldiers
The discussion OF the BIN was nnaliy
POSTPONED until next Saturday afternoon
at 4 o'clock. when an persons interested
in the matter will be given an opportunity
10 be heard.
The committee decided 10 report favor
ably the bin amending section 81 OF the
Code OF Virginia as TO the manner IN
which paupers shall be- aided out Of tho