Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-03-13
Council OeeIdgs MOI To Act Until
Aldermen Pass Upon Con.
soIdation Measures.
MATTER DISCUSSED UNTIL MIDNIGHT
Chairman Of Citizens Committee and
MIR. Payne Address Committee Of
WI,oIe-several Sections Agreed to
by All PARTIES Reduction In Gao
Rate Announced.


until midnight last night the common
council, as committee OF The whole,
discussed. amended, argued over and
heard speeches concerning the ordi-
nance regulating street railway scrv-
ice in the city. offered by Mr.. Harris.
Finally it was agreed to take no ac-
tion until the E0artl Of aldermen,
which meets tonight, acts upon The
ordinances providing for the consoli-
dalton of the street railway conpa-
MES, and MIR. Harris measure was
laid upon the table.
The committee Of the whole rose
at midnight and the council meeting
was resumed then, after lengthy
argument over motion by Mr.. Har
rls that the council adjourn to meet
against next Monday night, this mo
tion was voled down and the body adj
journed. The understanding is that
a special meeting is to he called to
consider the railway ordinances and
report from the finance committee.
in Adjourned Session.
In accordance with resolution
adopted at the last regular meeting.
the council met last night to consider
Mr.. Harris ordinance, which had been
favorably reported by the ordinance
and police committee. Those present
we're: Messrs Ballentinc. Christie,
Davis, Harris. Kellum, Ketchunl,
Livezey, Llewellyn, Marshall. Morgan.
Via, Washburn, West, wilkins and
Jones.
Immediately after the meeting was
called to order the body resolved itself
into committee of the whole. A
delegation of East End citizens was
present to urge the passage Of the
ordinance and Mr.. w. j Payne.
president Of the Newport News and
Old Point Railway Company, Mr..
George A., Schmclz, General Manager
II, IL. Carr and Superintendent Meg
ginson appeared to represent the rail-
ways. 1t was decided TO give the
citizens and the railway companies
each an hour to address the com
mittec.
F Lower Gas Rate.
Mr.. Payne opened, asking permits
sion at the start to divert from the
subject and to make statement con-
nernlng the gas company. He said
that about three months ago the d.
rect of the Newport News Gas Com.
pany instructed him to reduce the
price of illuminating gas from SLIGO
to 81. 40 per thousand feet on Febru-
airy | Soon after this action was
taken a movement was started in the
council looking toward the purchase
of a gas plant by the city. Under
those circumstances, Mr.. Payne went
on to say, If the price of gas had
been reduced February the public
would have thought that the company
had been scared into it," Now that
the council has voted down the gas
plant bond issue ordinance, the rate
has been reduced to $40. Mr..
Payne closed LIS statement In regard
to this matter by saying that fur
Their reduction would be made as soon
as The company's circumstances per
United
Both Sides Heard.
Mr. Payne read the ordinance. by
ACTIONS, noting no objections to many
q the requirements and asking for
changes in others. When lie closed.
Mr.. r. 7. Atkins, chairman of the
East End delegation, addressed the
committee, urging particularly the
need OF the first section of the ordi.
nance, requiring cars to pass Oak ave.
nue. and Twenty-seventh street, going
to the shipyard every five minutes
between 6:10 and GAS O'Clock. every
day except Sundays and holidays.
When Mr. Atkins closed there was
q general discussion by the committee.
men and various amendments were
offered and carried or voted down.
Sections Acted Upon.
In brief. the committee passed upon
the various sections as follows:
Section l. to which MIR Payne Of
fired no objection. except to suggest
that the cars shoult. not be required
TO pass given point at a certain
minute, was adopted
Section 2, requiring the Newport
News and Old Point Railway Company
to maintain fifteen minute sched
ule on its depot and Fifty.fifth street
line until midnight. was amended So
as TO substitute 1890 o'clock for mid
: night This was done with the ln.
( outstanding that the last main line
car from Old Point shall be run
through to North End each night
4 No Agreement Upon No. 8.
section B. requiring the Citizens
company to maintain tIlj5 vm,nnte
ssehecule on the Huntington avenue
nne ? Uftrcn minute schedule on The
CheItnut and Ivy avenue lines. was
passed by. Mr.. Payne III ked that
&c seton be taken in regard 10 Ca,,..