The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-07
FREE CAR TICKETS
FOR COUNC|LMEk'
Common Council Shows its Hand
on Free transportation.
WILL OPEN EIGHTH STREET
Plumbing Ordinance Has Been Finally
Passed Richmond TeIep hone Co.
is Giveu Right to Go Under the
Ground With Their Wires.

is Giveu Right to Go Under the
Ground With Their Wires.
From 7:30 until 1880 the Common
Council was in session last night, and al
though much unnecessary time was used
Up, a number of important matters were
disposed OF, prominent among these-latter
the final adoption of the plumbing ordi-
nance, the Richmond Telephone under
ground question. the disposition Of the
Eighth Street opening question. and the
granting to all manufacturers the right
to burn soft coal in their engines for
steaming purposes for the next six
months, regardless of an ordinance to
the contrary Free transportation for
Council members was revived. and for
the first time since the matter was first
agitated a vote was taken and the COM
parative strength of the opposing fac
lions shown For the time being, coun-
cilmen will continue to walk, the matter
now being in the hands of a special COM
mittce.
After having been delayed first by one
amendment and then another, the or
dinance calling for the creation Of a
board Of plumbing examiners. before
whom every plumber in Richmond will
have to appear in order to get a license
to follow his trade. was passed.
In accordance with a request from the
Common Council two months or more
ago. City Attorney Pollard prepared this
ordinance in strict conformity with the
State law on the question. It was sent
to the Council and referred to the FL
nance Committee, and was returned to
Council ready for passa ee, when
some one insisted that the Health Com
mittee be given whack at it. This
was done, and last night it reached the
Council again. Some little discussion
was INDUCED in. but it finally passed. and
is now up to the Board Of Aldermen for
concurrence, after which the Mayor will
a.ffix his signature and then it will be-
come effective.
OPEN EIGHTH STREET.
For months the opening of Eighth
Street has been hanging in a balance,
having been referred and amended time
and again, but now it is up to the Mayor,
and when he signs the ordinance the old
foot bridge which has spanned the Ches-
apeakc and Ohio tracks at the foot OF
this thoroughfare will come down..
Under the ordinance, which was
adopted last night the railroad COM
many will be forced to comply with the
general law covering the blocking OF
street crossings, this fact alone having
delayed action for some time. At the
last session OF the Common Council the
railroad was ordered by an ordinance TO
remove the foot bridge and throw the
street open to the public, but this oral
nance gave the right to block the cross
win in,
When it came up for concurrence IN the
Board of Aldermen it was amended SO
as to make the company comply with
the general law about street crossings,
thus taking from them the right to block
Eighth Street for twenty minutes. 1t
was this amended ordinace that the
Common Council passed last night, SO
really the delay has proven beneficial TO
Eighth Street.
When the matter of allowing certain
firms to burn soft coal for stealning pur-
poses was taken up councilnen Fergus
son and Crenshaw submitted lists OF
manufacturers who asked to be given
the right to use bituminous coal IN tnelr
furna ces, and the matter was finally set
tied by a resolution from Mr.. Bloombers,
giving all citizens the right 10 use sou
coal for the next six months. This ac-
of anthracite coal at present, as re-
suit Of the strike.
FREE TRANSPORTATION
The question Of free transportation for
Council members was thoroughly threshed
out, it developing that nineteen out OF
thirty members of the Common Councli
favor the city SPEEDING in the ne1shbor-
hood Of 5000 annually that they may
ride on the trolley cars free Of cost.
The debate on this question was
lengthy and spirited at times, and al
though no definite action was taken
last night it is proba Bile that it will be
only short time before Councilmen are
riding free. The matter is now in the
hands of a committee Of three, and they
are going to take it up with the street
railroad people for the purpose Of learn
ing just what it will cost for Council
men to ride year in and year out.
When report of the Street Committee,
recommending that the houses at the cor
rcr of Cary and Fourth Streets, which en-
croach upon both thoroughfares for a
few inches, be allowed to stand, much
debate was INDUCED in by the members.
after which the entire matter was laid
upon the table.
a Recommendation that the City Attor-
ney be instructed to bring proceedings
against DR. j. A. UpSnaNs 1oI# tne recovery
of few inches Of property on Grace
Street was laid on the table. It is al
legged that DR.. Upshaw has encroached
upon the street some inches.
MAY GO UNDER GROUND.
An ordinance from the Street Commit
tee giving the Richmond Telephone Com
peny the right to go under ground was
read and Mr.. Peters moved that the por-
ton of the ordinance calling for the pay
ment of three per cent. Of thar gross
annual receipts to the city be stiicl.an
out.
Mr. Crenshaw favored the move Of Mr.
Peters and made a few remarks in favor
Of its adoption.
Mr.. Allen and Mr.. Pollock opposed
striking out this section, the latter stat
ing that when the company goes under
ground the city would lose its pole tax
revenue Later, he decided to withdraw