Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-04

Ne DA y ~ IN 4n n Nv
specified the portions OF the car tracks
which need 10 be repaired and also men
TONED by number all OF the cars that are
IN bad order This portion OF the report
was most minute. even calling attention
10 windows and floors Of cars that need
70 be washed
The City Engineer exhibited a perfect
mass OF papers showing the magnitude of
the task just completed.
colonel Cutshaw also explained I'm de-
tan the trouble at the Denny-street iunc-
ton OF the old company's line with the
Chesapeake and Ohio. He called especial
attention to the fact that an electrician
mad stopped al that point on one occasion
Tor eight minutes. although the Chesa-
peake and Ohio track was clear
Inc greatest delay caused by the Ches-
apeake and Ohio trains was about four
minutes. ranging down TO half a minute.
-Four cars were shown to have stopped
at that point for seven minutes each.
there being no apparent cause. Colonel
Cutshaw concluded that although there
mad been detentions on account Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio cars they were not
OF a serious nature, and had little effect
on the schedule.
On one Of the days OF which schedule
records We're taken there was consider
able snow. and the intervals between cars
on that day ranged from thirty-one min
utes dogn.
THE CI4AY-STREET SCHEDULE
Having concluded with the Main-street
line. Colonel Cutshaw took up Clay street.
ana gave the percentage Of the schedules
made on certain days.
Are not your percentages based on
nve-minute schedule?' asked Captain
GuigOn.
They are" replied the City Engineer.
We have never claimed to make better
than siX-mlnute schedule on the Clay
street line" reioined Captain Guigon.
Colonel Cutshaw Insisted that he was
correct In his assertion that iye-minute
schedule was claimed for the line. and
was again controverted by Captain
Guigon.
"The City Engineer is entirely correct
in his method Of considering the matter"
said Mr. Ebel, and the matter was drop
ped.
Colonel Cutshaw then proceeded 10 call
attention 10 repairs needed az various
points on the Clay-street line. and en-
phaslzed the bad condition of Bank
street
TRACTION SCHEDULE IRREGULAR.
The City Engineer next took up the
Traction Company's Broad-street line.
ana showed that the track generally was
IN good condition but that some repairs
OF a trihng nature We're needed by a
Few of the cars. As 20 the schedules.
however he said they We're almost as
bad as that on Clay street ana worse than
that on Main street.
The City Engineer called especial at
tention 90 the bad condition OF the side
lines. the need Of replacing fiat with
sirder rails. and of paving gravelled
streets upon which there are car tracks
POWER OF THE COMMITTEE
Mr. King when the City Engineer had
concluded. inquired whether the Street
Committee had power 10 compel the cleo
trio companies TO correct the errors point
ed out. In answer, the following opinion,
prepared by City-Attorney II. h. Pollard
was read:
Richmond, Va, February 2S, lSe9
Mr.. j. X. Pollock, Chairman:
Dear Sir,-Replying to your request to
inform the committee, through YOU. whe-
thcr there Is power in the CITY Council
10 compel the street railway companies
doing business in the city to maintain a
schedule reasonably satisfactory to the
Council, to keep their tracks in proper
repair. and their cars In proper repair
first made an examination of the several
ordinances in force, granting franchises
20 the street railway companies as fol-
lows:
T. While the language Of the several
ordinances is not identical. yet it is suf-
hcient. i'm my opinion. 10 vest i'm the COun-
eli the power 20 prescribe and -ntorce "a
reasonable schedule as 20 the time be-
tween the running of their cars. What
constitutes a reasonable schedule viii de-
pend upon the location Of the route 7nd
other circumstances. To be judged Of by
the Council.
:. All of the several franchises are
made subject 10 the provisions ana re-
quirements Of the general ordinance con-
cerning street railways, found on pages
lgO-lq5 city Ordinances loNJ. which pre-
scribe that the railway companies shall
be- liable to fine Of 81 for each day They
shall fail TO repair any portion of their
road that needs repairing, when notified
by the city Engineer.
B. While all the ordinances do not eX-
pressly provide t1at the Council SHAH
have supervising power as 10 the cOndi-
tion and neatness of the cars vet several
of them do. and ! am of opinion trat by
necessary implication. even whom there
IS no express requirement 10 this effect
that fl would be- held by the courts that
this lower is vested i'm the Council ana
l am therefore further Of opinion that u
may be- enforced by proper legislation.
Imposing penalty for failure r refusal
10 keep their cacs In proper condition.
Very respectfully
II Il. POLLARD.