Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-18
Real Estate Men Move Against
Their Renewal.
Tho Roard OF Trnno and business
Mems Associations Legislative
Committee arc Anhcd to TnIto Ac-
tion-Kcqucst Complied With.

The charters of the toll bridges and
toll roads around Norfolk run out this
year, and the present Legislature will
have before 1t bill or bills to renew
these charters. In view of this fact.
there Is considerable feeling among real
! estate men and business promoters, and
n rapidly crystalizing sentiment against
the renewal.
The following letter from one of Nor
folks real estate men came before the
Board of Directors of the Board of
Trade and Business Mems Association
al their first meeting, and was referred
by them to the Legislative Committee:
THE LETTER.
Norfolk, Va, JAN IL. 1900.
Board Directors Business Mems Asso-
citation, Norfolk. Va:
Gentlemen-During the present ses-
sion of our State Legislature the stock
holders OF the various interpretations
controlling the toll roads entering our
city will be asking renewals of their
charters. and the purpose of this COM
munication Is to suggest that now ia
tho proper time to enter our protest
against the further continuance of these
manifest drawbacks to our commercial
success and good name among the pro-
greSsive cities OF the land
Every avenue of approach to us Ia
guarded and a watchful sentinel de-
mands of every traveller that he stand
and deliver" before he pass the gates.
Docs not this smack more of the fif-
teenth than of the twentieth century?
1t has been demonstrated over and
~. L..
and unrestrained the means of commu-
nication are made the more raptd will
be the development. commercial and
agricultural, of the sections connected.
The abolition of toll roads will operate
as much for the benefit Of the civ ae
of the country.
The lands lying Just outside OF tho
corporate limits of cities are precisely
those that are sought by large claes
OF manufacturing interests, on account
OF the lower rate of taxation, etc, but
II these advantages are more than Off
set by tolls we have little hope of Sc
| curing them.
The control of public highways by
private corporations is, happily. about
n thing of the past elsewhere. ard
should no longer be tolerated in a State
as enlightened as Virginia. and bv n
community so genuinely progressive as
ours.
l suggest. therefore. the Immediate
circulation of petitions in the city and
counties. asking our representatives in
the Legislature to see that these char
tcrs are not renewed. and, also. that
| the association wire said representa-
tivcs at once TO delay action upon these
| renewals until the people can be heard
| from. Very respectfully,
4. w. CORNICK.
LEGISLATIVl1 COMMITTEE ACTS.
The Legislative Committee held \
meeting Tuesday night. and after the
reading OF the letter and discussion n
resolution was passed directing the sec
rotary. Mr.. L. T.. Dawes. to write tho
Senator and Representatives of this
district In the Legislature, rcoucstinc
them TO have action on the bill rencw-
ing the charters OF toll roads and toll
bridges deferred until the matter can
be looked into by parties interested.
This letter was written and sent yester-
| day.
1t is the intent of those working In
the matter to inquire into it, ana find
| out II Il good or better roads leading in
| to Norfolk from the surrounding district
| can not be secured and maintained
without toll bridges and road gates.
and If this can be shown to feasible.
then to urge the allowing Of all char
ters comforting such rights to lapse
without renewal.