The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-29
FRANCHISE HAS
A NEW FEATURE
Fears That George {, Fisher viii
Control the Lines.
MESSRS. MANN & WATSON IN IT
The Finance Committee Fails To Get "A
Quorum ana the Taxation Question
is Not Yet Scttled-COloncl
Eiiett's Warming.

The Finance Committee, which was
called to meet at o'clock last night to
consider the question Of taxation as APP
pied to s,reet-car companies, failed 70
get quorum. some of the members be-
ing sick and Others absent from the city.
Only one was lacking The body will meet
next Saturday night at ] O'Clock. when
the question will doubtless be- settled.
ORDINANCE READY.
The ordinance granting the right 10
operate the lines of the Richmond Railway
ana Electric Company 10 tne Richmond
Passenger and Power Company, known
as the Boyd Newton syndicate, IS now
ready To be laid before the Council at It's
meeting next Monday night. IL cannot
be considered. however. until "A later day
und u the rules.
Fear seems 10 exist in some quarters
that il the Boyd-Newtou Syndicate does
not accept the franchise, Mr.. George r..
Fisher wiu retain control of the lines.
The members OF the Boyd-NewtOn Syndi-
cate are NJ ssrs. Nirginius Newton James
y. Boyd. ;. Dabney Crenshaw, Thomas
Atkinson. A. K. EllersoH, Robert ;.
Bosher, T. G.. Williams, Jr., j. j. Monta-
que. l.. WhilOck. and Fritz Sitterding
TWO MORE NAMES.
Since the ordinance was urst drawn
there have been two additional names
inserted. those of Messrs j.. W. Wilson
and Archibald a. Watson, of New York
These gentlemen are members OF the firm
OF r. W. Wilson x Co, Wall-street brok-
ers. Mr. Wilson name has been fire.
quentiy mentioned in connection with the
handling of the bonds of the company, and
in the past his relations have been close
with Mr.. Mum and Mr. George h. Fisher.
Alr. Wilson and MIR watson are partners.
The opening clause of the ordinance
states that the parties above mentioned,
"or such OF them AS may accept the pro-
visions of this ordinance shall bee au-
thorzed etc.
The statement Is made that If the Rich
moud members OF the Syndicate shall re-
fuse to accept the ordinance. Messrs.
Wilson and Watson Will do so. and that
the lines will remain. as at present IN
the hands of n0n-resldents.
MAKE CHANGES.
II is thought more than likely, however,
that such changes VIII Doe made i'm the
rate of taxation as win permit the Rich
m0nd capitalists % remain 100 the Synd.-
cate.
A member Of the street Committee said
yesterday tnat be was in favor of mate
rally reducing the burden.
The BOyd-NeWtOn Syndicate are willing.
it Is stated to pay five per cent, and Will
pay more II an examination of their books
al % later day shows that the line will
stand lt.
a suggestion has been made that the
Syndicate be allowed 10 enter the field
free of AN tax for ten years and be re-
quired to charge a accent fare. a number
of people agree that this would be the
best solution OF tine difficulty.
The Syndicate of which Hon. Tazaweh
Elicit IS the head, are asking that the
final disposition Of the matter De delayed
until the city's charter can be- amended
by the legislature. So as 20 admit of SELF
ing the franchise % the highest bidder.
Col. Elicit. I'm "a lengthy interview urg $
the Council To- make haste slowly. and
points ont the danger OF Mr.. Fishers re-
tanning his hold ON the lines.