Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-25


the financial condition Of the country
might change. and delay was dangerous.
Mr.. Burton asked whether the company
| had not had time 10 make plans for 4
| depot since the franchise was granted.
| over two years ago.
| Mr.. Axtcll replied that the depot pro-
posed then might have been built under
| other circumstances. but now we are
| combining with another big road we hope
| 20 give you something better"
MIR. J. S. WILLIAMS SPEAKS.
Mr.. King renewed his motion. He
| thought delay OF a month or two would
be to the best interests OF the city.
| Mr. John Shelton Williams asked to be
heard, and was given the privilege OF the
floor. He was surprised at the attitude
OF the committee towards the proposition
| OF the two roads.
"Other cities are ready 10 pay 10 have
new railroads enter" he said. we come
| to you and ask for permission TO bring a
new system, covering some 2.500 miles.
! into this city. We come 20 you and knock
at the door, and ask 10 be admitted, and
we are somewhat surprised not 10 find
| the latch-string on the outside. We have
I submitted plans which show the location
| Of the proposed lines almost to an inch,
and the exact location Of the depot"
WANT TO SEE A PICTURE.
The demand for plans OF the depot, the
| speaker thought, was panderng to the
wish OF certain people to see a picture.
1--WE are going 10 spend at least $1,000 In
that building," he continued. II think
you might leave il TO our architects to
make that money go as far as possible.
1t would be a serious blow to the enter
prise If permission We're refused the COM
panies TO 90 ahead. The financial situa-
| ton might change. and both companies
| would be chary about spending any such
amount as at present contemplated
Mr.. Williams expressed the hope that
the proposals Of the companies would
either be accepted or rejected by the
subcommittee without delay.
Mr.. KING WANTED PLANS.
Mr.. King said he thought the plans for
the depot ought TO be submitted. Per-
sonally. he said, he did not propose to
vote for depot with a 6i-foot or lO2-
foot frontage. and he thought the dimen-
sions OF the depot should be clearly
stated.
Mr.. Ebel said the committee wished 10
consider the proposition from business
point OF view II was due to the citizens
that the committee should consider tho
matter solely and simply from such
standpoint Richmond, he said. has had
her experience in buying railroads 10
run through the city, and has now ar
rived at that stage where she is compe-
tent To- consider propositions from
cold business standpoint.
Mr.. Kings motion was put and adopted
nem. con.
Mr.. Iawder presented petition from
residents OF the East End. protesting
against the intention Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio to divert the road from Osborne
turnpike In connection with the petition
Mr.. Lawder offered a resolution calling
upon the City Engineer for a report as TO
the probable result OF the proposed
change
WITHDRAW THE PLANS.
Mr.. Axtell rose and said he could ex-
plain that matter. but 1t was no longer
necessary. on behalf OF his company
he said. he desired 10 Withdraw all papers
and plans submitted.
\ motion To refer all papers to the Nlty
Engineer was interrupted by Mr.. John
Skelton williams, who said that the Rich
mond. Petersburg and Carolina railroad
was i'm thorough accord with the Chesa-
peake and Ohio, and on behalf Of his
company. he desired to withdraw all plans
and papers submitted by the Richmond,
Petersburg and Carolina. Attention was
called to the fact that the papers before
the subcommittee had been referred by
the Committee on Streets. and some OF
them had come from the Council. The
Chair ruled that this being 50. the papers
would have TO return through the proper
channel.
HIS FINAL APPEAL.
Mr.. Axtell made an earnest appeal 10
the committee to take the matter up and
dspose of II at once The Chair said any
motion TO reconsider the question could
be entertained. Mr.. King moved 10 adj
iourn. The question was put, and the
ayes had voted when Mr.. Lawder inter-
posed and said he hoped the matter would
be reconsidered. This precipitated n dis
cussIon. I'm the course Of which both Mr..
Axtell and Mr.. Williams protested against
the delay and the hostile attitude OF the
committee. The demand for elaborate
plans of the depot. they said. was unreal
sonable After some further discussion,
Mr.. Kings motion TO adjourn was put
and carried.
TO THE COUNCIL DIRECT.
After the meeting, Mr.. Il. Randolph
Williams. OF counsel for the Richmond,
Petersburg and Carolina railroad, said
that the plans of the companies and their
petitions would be presented 10 the COun-
ell direct and franchise would be ask
ed for without reference 10 the committee.
Mr. John Skelton Williams said the
companies proposed to erect depot build
ing with a front Of at least l2O feet, which
is thirty feet wider than the city post
office. and thirty-five wider than the
Chamber Of Commerce. The building will
be at least ninety feet high, much taller
than the Chamber Of Commerce. and Will
cost at least $4,000. Mr. AXtell however,
thinks the cost would be 100000 more.
The connection tracks, viaducts. etc. etc,
involve an expenditure Of 100000.
THINK IT A BLUFF.
Committeeman who were seen after the
meeting expressed the conviction that the
action Of Messrs. AXtell and Williams
was nothing more nor less than bluff.
'It was a bluff. pure and simple" said
Mr.. Ebel. and the committee called il.
II any application IS made 10 the Council
II will only be referred to this committee,
and we certainly shall not act until we
know something Of the intentions Of the
companies in regard TO the depot
THE HRISTOI SHOOTING.