The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-01
Question Raised That the Companies
Should Have a Hearing.
MEMBERS DIVIDED ON MATTER.
Three Hours Talk with Every Motion,
Except One 20 Adjourn, Defeated
on 4 Tie Vote Ordinances
Approved for the Pro-
motion of Husiness
Enterprises,


tremely warm meeting last night. the
greater portion Of which was given I'D
TO the consideration OF whether the COM
mittee should consider the two ordinances
recently printed in The Times. I'm which
provision is made by means Of heavy
penalties 10 force the electric lines OF the
city to maintain proper schedules and
keep their tracks in good condition.
Upon this proposition tho eight mem
bers present split squarely. and each
side maintained the position taken until
the time of adjournment
SHOULD BE HEARD.
Messrs Allen. Pollock. King and
Woody desired a postponement being Of
the opinion that the companies were en-
titled to a hearing before action was
taken, they having had no opportunity
according to their statement. 10 prepare
Themselves with the necessary facts and
figures to combat any OF the provisions
of the ordinances m question.
The other four, consisting Of Messrs.
Ebel Peters, Burton. and Gibson. took
the opposite view and desired to act on
the question Immediately. Every motion
was lost on iio vote. and the committee
hnally adjourned subject 10 the call of
the chairman.
The four gentleman who voted for p
p0stponement desired IL distinctly un-
dersiood that they were In no manner
opposed % tho ordinances. and should
probably vote for them as they stood.
but that they desired in Justice to give
the companies "a hearing
Chairman Allen called the committee
f.. In nI,.
ing present Messrs. Burton. Gibson. EbeI.
King. Pollock Peters and Woody
There We're also present Messrs H. z.
Pollard city Attorney. W r. Cutshaw.
City Engineer; A. Il Guigon. represent.
ing the Richmond Railway and Electric
Company. Phil Il. SHIELD. of tho Traction
Company and a number Of citizens in
terested in the legislation pending.
The first business taken up was an or
dinance allowing the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railway Company 10 construct a
spur track from its main line along the
western side of NH street 10 point near
Potter.
THE GLASS PLANT.
The building OF this track Is for tho
benefit of Mr. John s Bordner. OF Alex
audria. who is establishing a glass plant
ar the corner OF Mill and Hospital streets
Mr.. Pollock moved that the ordinance
he recommended 20 the Council. after the
insertion of the provision chat the Glass
Plant Company shall keep Mill street In
proper repair. The motion WAS adopted.
The committee then took up the ordI-
nance allowing the Richmond. Fredericks-
burg and Potomac Railroad Company to
construct a spur track from its lot west
Of Harrison and north Of Broad street.
along Norton street. crossing MARSHALL.
into the property OF the Home Brewing
Company.
The obiect OF this track IS for the bcne-
81 of % large ice plant which Mr. Fred
erck Sitterdng ana others are co1st-uc.-
ing IN the yard of tho brewing company.
Dn motion 0f Mr Gibson tbe ordinance
wa. recommended 10 the Council for
adoption.
Tne ordinance extending the time for
tie commencement and completion % IT'S
hydraulic work by the Virginia Electri-
c2 Railway and Development Company
came next. urier which the compa1y is
required 10 commerce the said work on
or before october i'H and g0rfiete
th. sama bv October q 1900 at whish tine
tie company shall begin 90 erect po'es
and rn0 wires. ana Dithin SIX months
IN relftar furnish electricity % the *
teat ol at least 2ps horse power.
Colonel Cuish7w suggested that 81 re-
ference 10 the construction of -Dbwlys
De cur out of fha ordinance. II behOoyed
the city To he careful on that point. 10
said
Tho suggestion was adopted and the
ordnance was recommend i To the coun-
c'L
sTREET.CAR ORDINANCES
The street.car ordinances were the next
business Mr Pollock chai,m1n Of tho
fr.H.. e..
ter and presented the ordinances, stated
that counsel for the companies had
stated that they had not had time TO
prepare themselves with data 80 argue
against the said ordinances. hg was
aware that the Council was anxious for
an carly report. but ne was unwilling -
take any advantage of the counsel, he
said and have them come before tie
Council WIKI complaint which should pro-
perly be- made 10 rhe street Committee.
on his motion. Mr. Guigon was given
the floor lie said that he had only seen
the ordinances and Cl,y Engineers re-
port three days ago. and he was, there
fore not ready 10 80 into the matter.
lie applied 70 the committee as tribunal
OF justice for a continuance and said that
any court in the country would grant
"a continuance Of a case under similar
circumstances.
/ "If have committed murder every day
! Tor two years" ne said. II am SIN en-
..lcf to q trial under the laws OF the
7 land"
! The speaker characterized the intention
OF the committee 10 take up the matter
/ AT once az something very Ike lynchlng
for murder.
lie said ne had no intention OF attempt-
| ing 10 dlssuade the committee from
! adopting some such measures as were
proposed. but he did hope 10 secure some
| modification lie was not prepared. he
said, TO 20 into the question. not having
I had time to get his facts and ngures In
/ proper shape.
Mr.. Shield asked that as matter OF
! courtesy the consideration OF the report
/ be postponed until the next regular meet
i ing. as no officer OF his company had yet
: had chance to read the ordnance. sx-
/ ceptins himself.
MOTION TO POSTPONE.
I Mr. Pollock said that In view OF the
fact that counsel for the two companies
(Continued ON 0nxNnth Haaal