The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-25

the majority of the Broad-Street mer-
chnnts from having that quick access 10
the banks and wholesale district they were
entitled to: and. that as he was Wiling
for the fractions Broad-Street cars 70
come down Main through First Street,
that mis- only object could DE to prevent
that company from getting some OF It's
own travel on Broad Street by coming
down Eighth Street to Main Street de
replied that he would not agree to it.
He was also asked whether he WoGld
not read and consider the reasons mat
were given by the Traction Company TO
show that what they ask was less than
had already been granted to the Passenger
and Power Company. He stated that he
did not have time to look into the de-
tails of the ordinance. He was asked
how he could tell what would be far
exchange il he did not look into the de-
tails of it, and whether he ever bid on
a contract for plumbing without look
ing into the details of the contract. he
replied that he did not have time to LOOK
into the details, and asked me whether
he had the assurance TO ask CounciiInen
to look into all the5detaiiS OF every or
dinance presented tileulG l replied that
I had assurance to ask any man VINO
was intrusted with public dutieS TO 90
what was right He stated that he did
that he had made up his mind and would
not change it I then asked him wheth-
or he thought il fair that he should put
the Passenger and Power Company on
the Traction Companys lines. with d IN
ed and settled right until 1926. and yet
only allow the Traction Company right
on the Main-Street tracks at the option
| of the Council and whether he ana not
| know that if the Passenger and POWER
! Company once got on the tracks OF tiie
| Traction Company they could stay there
for the full term. while any succeeding
| Council could at any time remove the
Traction Company's cars from the Main
Street tracks. He stated that he was not
! nrenared to answer arguments that coun-
! sci might make. He was told that TINS
| was no legal question, but a question OF
| fairness.
MIND MADE UP.
! "Ha stated that he did not propose to
! change his views and would not agree 10
| ANYTHING else He was then asked way ne
/ would insist upon a condltlon being put
| upon the Traction Company. as to putting
F! it, wires under ground throughout the
| system. when that had nothing material
| to do with the use of the Broad and Main
| Street tracks He was told that the Coun-
! ell had already reserved the right IN the
! Traction Companys ordinance as to the
| Broad-Street tracks of the Traction com
j panv 10 put any conditions 1t chooses as 10
! the use of electricity, and that as to the
I NIain-Street tracks, the Traction COM
panv had assured the friends OF the sis-
| gested conduit or underground system thdI
| if the Council w:tit TO require the t'iiuet
| ground system on Main Street, trat |.
| would be willing to use it. He was ASKED
! whether that was not all that was tar 10
: reo,,ira in the ordinance. He replied NO
] that he would require specific statement
| in +he new ordinance as to the whole SyS-
I TEN.
] Seeing his determination not to listen
| tn 2. statement of the facts, or. as ne cali
! ed them, the details necessary TO De uil-
| derstood In order that any preconceiVeo
! opinions might be changed. neither Mr.
! Bemiss nor myself took any further part
| in the conversation with him.
..Mr. Waddey then asked HIM why ne
! would take a decided position of that KIND
without considering what was fair about
| II and asked him couldn't he keep his
| judgment open to listen to what could be
! urged against his position He answered
| that his mind was made UP and ne qua
not propose to change it. Mr.. Waddey theh
| asked him whether he thought any man
on chit to refuse to keep his mind open 10
reason as to any question. and Whether
/, ne would as to other matters take sue!
position as he had taken in this: ana eneii
asked him whether he would not say that
ne would at least hear the reasons thae
might he advanced on our side. He final
IL stated that he might listen to them,
but that nothing could change him NO
fair-minded man can believe that M
Mills expected the Traction Company u
accept his radical and unjust changes
when he made them.