Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-25
DEPOT DEAL HELD UP,
Committeeman and Railroad Men
Cannot Agree
STORMY SESSION LAST NIGHT
Councilman Ask for Drawings Of The
New Building.
REQUEST NOT COMPLIED WITH.
Messrs. Decatur Axte1l md John
skeIton Williams Ask for the
Withdrawal of Their Respective
Plans, hut the Committee Decline.
REQUEST NOT COMPLIED WITH.

The subcommittee OF lne committee ON
Streets met last night to consider the pc
titions of the Chesapeake and Ohio and
Richmond, Petersburg and Carolina rail-
roads for franchises. Nothing was ac-
complished. however, and after a session
that was more or less stormy. the com
mittee adjourned, leaving the matter in
statu QUO.
Mr.. Decatur Axtell Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio and Mr.. John Shelton Williams,
for the Richmond, Petersburg and Caro-
lima, created a very decided sensation by
asking permission to withdraw all plans
and papers submitted. The obvious in
| ference TO be drawn was that the com
panies there and then abandoned their
| intentions to enter the city at all, but the
| committees pursued their line Of action,
and steadfastly refused 10 consider the
plans or petitions until all the drawings
and Specifications for the proposed depot
| had been submitted. The chairman ruled
| that the plans could not be withdrawn
| from the subcommittee, as they had
been referred in part. from the Committee
on Streets, and in part from the Council,
| and would have to go back through the
regular channels.
The position of the two railroad Off
| cials was subsequently weakened by their
appeals that the matter should not be
| longer delayed, and that the committee
would either reject the petitions or deal
| favorably with them.
DELAYS ARE DANGEROUS.
| Messrs. Axtell and Williams based their
argument on the danger that waits upon
| delay. The financial condition Of the
country may undergo a sudden change,
they said as it did a short time ago, and
the project might then have TO be aban-
doned altogether.
The committeeman stood out for plans
of the proposed depot. and in the absence
of any definite information as 70 the di-
mensions and elevation OF the building,
they declined positively to act upon the
petitions. The preparation of these plans,
Mr. Axtell stated, Will occupy several
months.
The City Engineer reported that the
amended plans Of the railroads had only
been filed in his office yesterday after
noon, and he was not prepared TO recon-
mend their adoption. The ordinances,
too. he said should be referred 10 the
City Attorney.
The committeeman and the representa-
tives of the railroads were absolutely un-
compromising, and on one side. at least.
there was a good deal Of feeling dis
played
THE COMMITTEES ACTION.
When the subcommittee was called to
order there were present Messrs. Ebel,
King Gibson, Burton, and Lawder. Mr..
Pollock was the only member absent. The
ordinance of the Richmond, Petersburg
and Carolina railroad. which was pub
lished I'm the Dispatch some days ago,
was presented and read. After the read
ing Chairman Ebel asked whether COM
plete plans and specifications OF the depot
had been submitted with the ordinance.
The city Engineer replied In the mega
tive. and said he had received a letter
from the engineer of the Richmond, Pc
tersburg and Carolina, which stated that
there had not been time to make all the
changes suggested in the plans. The plans
of the Chesapeake and Ohio had been
presented as they were originally. though
there would be some changes in elevation,
&c.
Mr.. Randolph Williams at this point
submitted new plans, 10 be substituted
for those originally presented. Colonel
Cutshaw explained the drawings In some
respects. There is a slight change in the
curve on Seventeenth street, which, how
ever, make no practical difference 10 the
city. The new plans, said Colonel Cut
shaw. showed a larger space to be occu-
pied by the depot but that was all there
was to indicate the size of the proposed
station.
DIMENSIONS OF DEPOT.
Mr. King said he desired to ask.
through the chairman, whether there was
anything 10 show the dimensions and ele-
walton of the depot.
Colonel Cutshaw submitted letter
written by him TO the engineers of the
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, suggesting
certain desirable changes in the plans.
He stated that he had gone over the
plans. though they had not been referred
10 him. in order to save time. but he did
not find them I'm such shape that the com
mittee could act upon them. At the re-
ouest of the chairman, Mr. King renewed
his question, and the City Engineer an
swered that no plans for the depot had
been submitted Mr.. King then moved
that the railroads should be requested 20
prepare and submit plans. drawings. and
specifica tions for the proposed new depot.
MIR. AXTEII!S REMARKS.
AS the chairman was about TO put the
question. Mr.. Axtell took the floor and
said the plans of the Chesapeake and
Ohio had been submitted. and it was i'm
possible for the engineers 10 give fuller
details.
when the ordinance was considered
two years ago and passed the same plans
were submitted 10 the committee, and
nothing more. To get architectural de-
signs. ne said. IL was necessary 10 get
certain ground for the building 20 stand
upon. 1t would necessarily take months
TO prepare the plans, and, said he, why
should you delay this project for so long
timeY'
Mr.. Axtell reiterated the statement.
made upon q former occasion. that the
cost OF the building would exceed the !
present estimate by 10000. at does |
seem 10 me strange" he added, that you
should hold up project which compre-
hends the expenditure OF 2.5O0,o0O for |
months until a picture OF the proposed |
depot can be prepared"
The publication of the old design. Mr.. |
Axtell said. had been great mistake. |
and. continuing. he said: Il protest |
against being asked to present picture |