The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-24

NeF{ ala SoIllptdiy VI =. A'ai tiiioA g e1ii1
their clients.
GREAT INTEREST IN THE DEAL
While Not Altogether Unexpected Many
People We're Taken by Surprise.
It was reported on the streets last night
that a deal had gone through in Balti-
more. 1t was: a, matter of the greatest
interest. and there were many comments
in the hotel Hobbies and on the streets
Many felt that the logic of the situation
had for some time pointed to a deal of
this character. The conditions which have
obtained at Richmond in the street rail-
way. business all have. recognized as. be-
ing anoma ous and altogether unprece-
dented. The economy of consolidation
has BEEN generally appreciated by those
acquainted with the local conditions.
NOT SURPRISED.
Members of the Street Committee at
the meeting of the Board of Aldermen
.Bahen.
When they were told Of the electric
street car deal it came as news to them.
Major Allen said he was hardly sur
prised. because he had all along felt and
said that there would be a 5conSolida ton
of the lines. either one way or another.
He did not think the city would suffer-.
for the franchises would protect them.
The Clay-Street fare could be raised to
five cents without permission from the
Council, as 1t was lowered voluntarily.
Mr.. Burton was not surprised. He OBJ
iected all along to the running of both
lines on Main and Broad Streets. because
he felt that consolidation would come
sooner or later.
Mr.. Bahen was surprised. He had no
suspicion that such action had been con-
templated.
Other members of the Council had no
comments to make.
EXTENSIVE PROPERTIES.
The Richmond Traction Company, the
Virginia Electrical Railway and Devel-
opnlent Company and the Westhampton
Park Railway Company, which are sold
out practically, it is believed, to the Nir
ginia Passenger and Power Company.
own about twenty-three miles of street
and suburban railway and a two-millon
dollar electric power and light plant. The
conduit system of this company under
the streets of Richmond alone cost $780,
900. The merging of the two companies
means that the electric power which the
consolidated company will supply will be
supplied through one system of conduits
and that the streets Of the city will not,
be torn up for a second system of coil
duits. There is now a. petition before the
Council on the part OF the Passenger and
Power Company for permission to use
the conduitsE of the Development Com
pany. Iilgs the light Of the news from
Baltimore last night a gentleman con-
nected with the Passenger and Power
Company remarked that lie regarded 1t
as mot unlikely shat the wires of his
company. would go Into the DEVELOPMENT
Company's conduits.
THE sTRACTIONS BEGINNING.
The Traction Company began six years
ago. with the operation of Broad Street
service from Chimborazo to the Fair
Grounds. and the New Reservoir. Two
years later the branch lines at First
Street to Hollywood and at Eighteenth
Street to Oakwood were constructed and
a Hollywood-O lakewood service was put
Incorporation. For five Years the Traction
power-houss was at Fifteenth and Mar.
shall Streets. In May. 1901, the Traction
Company began the operation of two
more lines. a Main-Street-Ho hollywood
Oakwood service and NIain-street-
himborazo- Reservoir service. During
built its 81 III st Z E 81 burban branch
line. the road to Westia mpton.
This is now completed and considerable
work has been done in beautifying the
large park property. which the company
owns and which goes by this deal to
the Passenger and Power Company.
The DAM waterway and poWer-house
of the Developmen Company. a t the foot
of Twelfth Street, and among the most
notable examples OF work of this char
acter in this country. They were two
years in building and We're completed two
years ago The work of charging the
power-house to double its present capaci-
ty is nov going forward.
An. interesting sequel of the cousoli-
dation will, belts effect upon the suit
now in progress between the two electric
power companies over the fact that the
dam of-onez drew the water away from
.l"ound thes ISLANDS sof the other.
THE CONTROLLING CORPORATION
The Virginia Passenger and Power
Comps which secures control Of the
Williams properties, is a company formed
a short time ago by the New York imam
scia1 interests, knownshereabouts as the
Fisher interests, for the purpose of con-
solidating Virginia electrical properties
ut owned and was identical with 81 the
Richmond Passenger and Power Com
spany. It purchased sthe local strcetsrail-
way lines in Petersburg and has since
secured control Of the line from Rich
smond to- Peters burg. AL Together. it
E owned and 81 operated oy err a hundred