Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-18
STREET RAILWAY SITUATION.
Several Prospective Bidders for the
Nm chIses--.IenI,ins system.

IT appears that there will be NJ lack
Of bidders for the franchises Of the Rich
rond Railway and Electric Company. ex-
piring the first OF next year and the year
after. if the Council decides TO invite COM
p titicn in the matter Of disposing OF
them.
Just now the matter is in allegiance. All
seems 10 depend upon what course the
Street Committee and the Council shall
ADOPT with reference 20 the petition ami
ordinance of the Newton-BOyd-Cre
syndicate. which has contracted for the
purchase OF the entire properties of the
Railway and Electric Company If the
necessary franchises are b.ained. This
proposition comes tefOre the Street Com
mittee at It's meeting on the 18th. unless
a special esslon shall be cal ed earlier for
It's consideration.
one strong point in favor OF the syndi-
cate referred to is that # Is In position,
as perhaps no other bidder can be. 20
surrender the franchises OF al the lines
which do not expire fos many years. and
accept a new one for forty years. cover
lug the entire system every part Of which
IL agrt es 10 put in frst-cass cOndi ion and
operate under schedules approved by The
Council.
Apparently. the question for the C1un-
eli first 70 determine is whether il shall
deal with the Boyd syndicate and graft
on its ordinance all If the conditions de-
sired by the city or prepare an ideal or
dinance under which the renewa' f fran
chises shall b. granted. and then Offer
them for sale 10 the highest bidder The
adoption of the former course would. OF
course. settle the matter Of competition,
hut IL the latter Is decided upon several
bidders viii enter the field. Among the Q
Will be another Richmond syndicate Of
twenty prominent men Of influence and
means. who ar simply waiting T. Sc
what the Council proposes 10 do. Their
names cannot be made public a s. yet. but
Their plans have all been perfected. the
Dispatch is ssured. ana the nee ssary
money proT ed for. This syndic how
ever. does not care for any but the Main
street franchises. Another bidder. 1, T.
understood, Will be the Traction Company
There has been talk Of other syndicatos,
hut only these two are now thought to
be- ready II enter the field.
There was talk on the street yesterday
Of scheme being launched by q local
syndicate 10 secure the RailY av and Elec-
rlc Company franchises and prOpertiss
md introducing the Jenkins unde ground
trolley system hire There is. hoWeyer.
20 foundation for the report. 1t doub less
grew out Of the rae; that the effort 10
cure suGidant capital 10 put the Jen-
kins system into practical op -ia'ion and
10 develop and push IT has just been ac-
compli he'd. a number OF Richmond men
Lave agreed 10 put up all the money need
ed if the plans meet Wi the Apr val OF
experts by whom they are now being ex-
amined. If favorable report Is re -lved,
IS is anticipated. "a practiCa st OF the
system Will be made at once and It's gem
eral introduction will be unde't ken.
eral manager Of the Richmond Railway
and Electric Company. Is in the city. he
Will retire fro the conn., any when the
local syndicate is ready TO take charge.