Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-22
noN,T STOP THE WORK..

What is the matter with The street
Committee--or some of the members-that
they do not speed the work upon the I'M
dercround conduit of the Virginia Flee
trical Railway ana Development Com
pany?
Maps Of the conduit's route, and SAM
pies of the material proposed to be used
in its construction. have been approved
by the city Engineer, and have been be
fore the Street Committee since July. And
vet there has been delay after delay-a
most unreasonable and unnecessary de-
lay. We cannot but think.
Richmond people have demanded cleo
trlcal conduits for years past, yet here is
ana opportunity TO make "a notable begin
ming. and it receives a chilling reception
from part ol the Street Committee.
Mind YOU no legislation is asked of the
committee No: none at all. The City
Council long ago granted the company all
Of the franchises that are required Now
IL but remains for the committee TO ap-
prove the routes chosen by the company
and let the work begin. But. alas! the
committee has postponed and postponed
tiu now we are ON the eve of freezing
weather. when cement work can be done
only az great risk. Meanwhile, iorce OF
cxperts waits in idleness. Meanwhile, Ia
borers who might have employment dig
King trenches. etc, are without it. Worst
Of ALA great enterprise is discouraged
and interfered with.
For 10, these many years II has been
the ambition of Richmond TO have the
water-power Of the James river "electri-
FED" A little while ago, much to the joy
OF the community, the company in ques-
,ion came forward and offered to do it,
First. they bought the HaXall MilPs
vater-power, and next 1.-THE Manchester
water-power." and day and night they
have been at work trying TO be ready TO
serve the public with light and power
early next year.
Already they have spent hundreds OF
thousands Of dollars in and about the
river. and now they stand ready to spend
Sl5oOo0 more in building an underground
conduit for their wires. But they can't
do ~ They are not allowed to do it!
One would think that every citizen OF
Richmond would take delight in eXpedit-
ING the river companys work. Instead Of
that. we find some members Of the Stree
Committee who seem not TO care how
much time is consumed in detaiis-detail'
which might have been disposed OF IN
week. vet have been hanging fire since
Sulyl
Now. n question has been raised whe
iher the approval Of the river company'
MANS shouldn't be made by the City
Council instead of by the street Commit
tee There Is excellent legal authority
DOR saying that the Councils sanction IS
not necessary The Council has granted
the franchise, and has designated III
committees duties
But no matter whether final action !.
dependent upon the committee or upor
the City Council. the community is indig
nant al this unreasonable delay II Rich
inond makes a reputation for treating
new enterprises after this manner it viii
become a terror TO investors.
our people wish TO see the James 'elec
trihed." They wish to have electric
power and electrlc-llght currents carried
through the principal streets IN under
ground conduits instead OF on wires
strung upon poles. They wish to see man
ufactures big and little. springing up 81
all sections OF the city. Thcy~wish 10 SCI
the wealth and population Of Richmond
increased. II follows, therefore, that they
wish the river companys works put int
operation as soon as possible No legis
Iation IS asked for. All the company re
quest Is that they may be permitted e
use the franchises which are alread,
theirs beyond the shadow Of doubt.