Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-04-05

tile merger ordinance as adopted by
the board of aldermen at its recent
meeting, and i regret that it has seen
fit to make changes other than those
agreed on between ourselves and the
common council, and finally adopted
by that body ,:Iaiss'
At the several meetings when |
appeared before your committee in
reference to these matters, stated
that the street railway conditions in
Newport News have reached such C.
serious state as to make it inlpossi
BILE for the companies to assume any
additional burdns, other than those
now imposed. also stated that the
Hampton Roads Traction company
was being operated at loss of more
than $500 per day. Both the Hunt
ington avenue and Ivy avenue lines
are operated at heavy loss, while
the Twenty-third street line barely
pays operating expenses. Under
these conditions you must realize
that the limit has been reached where
we can assume additional burdens.
and we must therefore decline TO ac.
cept the merger ordinance as passed
by the board of aldermen. and we re.
specifully ask that the common conn
ell decline 10 cOncnr therein. Should
The honorable council desire 10 refer
ms matter 10 conference commit
ice of both bodies. we will be pre-
Jared TO appear before such commit
tee upon prorer notice.
AS 10 the ordinances providing for
the abandonment Of certain tracks OF
The Hampton Roads Traction Com.
pany and also the Chestnut avenue
franchise, ! would suggest that in
order TO expedite matters, If it
meets with The pleasure OF the com
Gil, That you pass said ordinances.
More than three months ago
called to the attention of both com.
mittees. before which these matters
were pending, The imminent danger
CT operating cars over the Twenty
sixth street viadnct. We again Mace
ourselves on record, and repeat wha,
Las been previously stated, that il is
TO human life TO operate
ears over. this vinduct, and that the
service is being continued by us solely
through compnlsion. owing to yonr
failure to grant iie relief prayed for.
and we desire your honorable body
20 understand that your failure to
grant such relief flom this danger
Is an assunE!icn on your Fart Of
any liability ihat may result there.
from.
AS the Hampton Roads Traction
company is entirely without money,
other than its revenues, and it's in.
come is not sufficient 10 meet its ex-
penses by more than 500 per day,
you can readily Understand that I'M
less some relief is speedily granted
by yonr honorable body, il will be
impossible for the company to con.
time the operation OF its cars.
In conclusion desire 10 say that
neither the Newport News & Old
Point Railway & Electric Company,
nor the Citizens Railway, Light and
Power Company are in any wise re
sponslble for the debts of the Hamp-
ton Roads Traction Company, nor ara
they obligated TO continue TO operate
the cars of said company in Newport
News.
IAN statements made ON matters re
ferred TO herein concerning the New,
port News C Old Point Railway &
Electric Company are made by me as
president of said company. All mat
tiers referred TO concerning the Citi-
Zens' Railway, Light G. Power Com
pany are made by me as vice presi-
dent of said company. All matters
referred to concerning the Hampton
Roads Traction Company are made
fcr The hoard Of directors of said
company. Yours very truly.
tsigned Nv. j. PAYNE"