The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-05
MUST Put WIRES
UNDER GROUND
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as surprise to the representatives OF
both railway companies. A matter of
such Importance should receive the full
est consideration and examination. AS
this ordinance did not name the jenkins
system. any moral or legal obligation
under which the Passenger and Power
Co might have been to install that sys-
tenn, or any sentimental interest in the
installation of Richmond Invention
here first, could not at this time exist.
1t was not the habit of the Council to
consider serious matters SO hastily. Mr.
Guigon asked the reference of the mat
ter back to The Street Committee together
with the City Engineer and City Attor-
ney.
NOT PRACTICABLE FOR THIS CITY.
Mr.. Meredith. of the Traction Company.
thought such a system impracucable III
a. city of 5000 population. He also asked
that it be referred back for further con-
sideration to the Street Committee, that
it may bring a scientific report as TO
its feasibility. Ono of the conditions of
the ordinance is that there shall be sep
aratc conductors in the conduit for a
second company. NO one knows whether
this is practicable. The ordinance puts
the Council in a ridiculous position, as
the company can trifie endlesSly with
the city in the selection of a system.
a tin, or paper, or wood system. or con-
duit could be brought by the company
to the attention of the city. The city
could not shift the responsibility of the
selection Of a system, as this selection
will finally come back to the city. The
four months limit. he said. was absurd.
New York took two years. An under
ground system requires a perfect align
mcnt for success, and as the jenkins
system Nputs the conduit between the
tracks, the whole width, of fourteen feet
between the outer rails of the two tracks
would have to be bound securely to-
Eether. This and other extremely OK
pensivc and uncertain clements Of the
problem should command further and
careful consideration. He asked that
the matter go back to the Street Com
mittee for further light on the matter.
FOR TILE JENKINS SYSTEM.
Mr.. Kelley. of counsel for the jenkins
syndicate, asked how much opportunity
the companies wanted. The matter had
been before the committee and Council
for months and months. He claimed that
the ordinance had been considered by the
city attorney. the city engineer. and the
superintendent of the fire alarm. AS the
ordinance was framed it was in accord
ance with the directions of those Oil
Gals. Time and time again the Passenger
and Power Company had had opportunity
to state its reasons for believing the sys-
tenn impracticable. When the Passenger
and Power Company accepted its tran
chise 1t knew the Council had reserved
the right to compel it to install an under
ground system. When the Traction Com
pany asked for the Main Street privilege
it knew the Main Street line could be
compelled to go underground at any
time. The cost would be 1888 900 per mile
for double track, and not $4,000 as stated
This system used one conduit instead OF
two and SO saved so per cent. of cost.
ANY number OF experts had testified to
the practicabiity of the jenkins system.
The railway companies had had oppor-
turity after opportunity OF being heard.
It now looked as though they wanted
delay, and nothing but delay. He thought
there was great public demand for an
underground system. He saw no reason
for further delay.
THE ORDINANCE ADOPTED.
Mr.. Bloomberg stated that for more
than six years he had been fighting for
an underground system. He had favored
and fought for it when the question of a
line on Broad Street was up. He now
favored the enforcement of the Connclis
right to put an underground system on
Main Street. He was opposed to the Or
Ginance specifying the jenkins system.
He favored a general underground oroln-
ance.
Mr.. CARRIER thought the ordinance an
imposition and the underground system
not demanded by the people
The roll was then called and the ordln-
ance was adopted by vote OF 4 10 :.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes-AIessrs. Adams, Allen, Blanks,
Bloonberg, Cottrell, Gibson. Glenn,
Grimes, Hobson, Mccarthy, Mills, Peters,
Pollock, Shea, Stein, Teefey, Waller
stein. West, Whalen, Williams, Woody.
q.
Noes-Messrs Camp and CARRIER
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
resolution from the Street Committee
concerning sewer on Thirty-tirst Street
was adopted: also resolutions for SIDE
walk on Plum Street, and for paving
Truehart Alley.
The Committee on Relief Of Poor ve-
ported that an ambulance service located
at a. central site in the city would COST
$1,000 Filed.
A resolution reported from the Finance
Committee to the rules ana employees
of the Almshouse calls for third am
tulance physician. 1t was adopted.
The report of the special accountant on
certain city departments was sent to the
Beard of Aldermen.
The resolution from the Finance Com
nittee as to bonds of city officials was
adopted.
The Committee on Claims and Salaries
reported that ]. c. Alexander should De
raid SIS for injuries by reason OF the 1ail-
ing of a tree on Fourth near Broad
adopted. The same committee reported
resolution to the effect that the claim TOT
s24 by City Sergeant Smith for serving
Hastings Court notices on Is Councilman
and Aldermen be rejected. Adopted.
rho Grounds and Buildings Committee
renorted an ordinance calling for an
extra City Hall fireman at $50 month.
Referred to Retrenchment and Reform
Committee.
The Committee on Health reported an
ordinance calling for an inspector OF food
and milk. Referred to Finance Commit
tee
The Committee on Cemeteries reported
an ordinance donating a section IN hl'er-
view Cemetery to the Home Tor Needy
Confederate Women. Adopted
THE CURFEw, ORDINANCE.
The Committee on Ordinances reported
the Curfew ordinance, with recommenda-