Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-14
NO FURTHER PROGRESS MADE.
Traction Co.'s Counsel VIII Argue
Their Case Before the City Attorney.

The Committee on Streets met in spe-
cial session last night to consider further
the petitions for street railway fran
chises that have been submitted by the
Richmond Traction Company and the
Boyd-Newton syndicate
No sppreciable progress was made5 and
lo definite steps were taken in any d.
lection. the committee deciding to wait
mon the opinion of the City Attorney
touchinA the authority Of the present
Council - consider applications for fran
cbises which do not expire in its life
time.
Those present at the meeting were
Messrs. Allen, Pollock, Gibson, Whittet,
Fbel. King. I.awder. Peters, Burton, and
Bahen. Captain Pizzini who had been
asked 10 prepare a statement of facts
concerning the operation Of underground
railroads. said he was not prepared to
address the committee at present on this
subject. lie said, however, that the Vir-
GINA Conduit Company would ask that
the ordinance Of the BOyd-Newton syndi-
cate be so amended as to contain the
/ following provision:
"The city hereby expressly reserves the
right TO revoke at any Tune the flght
to use electricity as motive power. or
lions. and requirements as 10 the man
ner or system by which electricity may
/ be used
/ The City Attorney being asked for his
opinion as to the rights of the present
/ Council to consider applications for fran
/ chises which DO not expire in its life
/ time said he had prepared an opinion
/ but had received a request from Messrs.
| Henry q Williams, counsel for the Trac-
| ton Company, that they be granted
! hearing on this question. lie had con-
| scented to hear their argument, and his
| opinion would therefore, be delayed.
| WANTS a COMPETITIVE ORDI-
NANCE.
Mr. Lawder adOcated the framing Of
a competitive ordinance.
Mr.. Burton said he thought the COM
mittee should hear from the City At
torney before proceeding, and he made a
motion 10 adjourn.
Messrs. Pollock and King opposed this
motion. and asked that the opinion pre-
pared by the City Attorney should be
! submitted at this meeting.
Major Allen advised the greatest eau
! ton in dealing with the question,
and said the committee should have all
| information possible.
Mr.. King asked that the City Attor-
| ney's opinion should be given, and re-
ceived, subject to revision after he had
heard the argument of counsel for the
Traction Company.
Mr. Pollard begged to be excused, and
: said the request was unreasonable. Mr..
! Pollock stated that he could not
, vote to give a franchise TO the Traction
| Company, because he felt that 1t would
! be against the interests Of the city so
| 10 do.
LET COMMITTEE HEAR 1T.
Mr.. King moved as a substitute to Mr..
! BurtOn's motion, that the committee
! should take up and consider seriatm
| the ordinance of the Boyd-Newton syn
dictate. He thought the argument OF
counsel for the Traction Company should
| be heard by the committee, so that mem
| bers might be conversant with the points
which could lead the City Attorney TO
! change the opinion he has already
! formed
Motions to adjourn were offered, and
| finally one was adopted which fixes
Monday, the 10th, as the net meeting
| night Of the committee.