Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-08
IN THE OLD DOMINION
TRANSPORTATION PROJECT TO
MEET JIM CROW CAR Law.
special correspondenee to rhe Star.


RICHMOND. Va. July 7, 1906
The organization OF the Metropolitan
Transportation Company. at Norfolk, which
has been chartered by the state corpora
ton commission. has a more significant
meaning than appears in the mere an
nouncement. When the state Jim Crow
street car law became operative the ne
groes began an organized boycott against
the car lines in all parts of the state. The
new company Is understood to be for the
purpose of operating a line which will
cater to the patronage of the negroes.
protest has been raised here by negroes
against allowing whites to ride in the part
of the car which has been set aside for
the individual use of the black race, the
claim being that the negroes are crowded
out. The negroes have rear seats in the
cars. and often these are occupied by
smokers.
The action of the state corporation COM
mission in declining to allow Col. Joseph
Button to qualify state insurance COM
missioner has created something of a SEN
sation. Col Button was elected by the
general assembly. That body created the
department under the provisions of the
constitution, and that instrument gives
the commission the right to supervise and
control the bureau The commission in
clines to the belief that the power of ap-
pointment is uncertain, yet 1T has not
named an officer to discharge the duties of
the place which has been created. 1t de-
clined to confirm Col. Button.
Col. Button has decided to invoke the aid
of the courts in the matter. Until the at
torney general passes on the question,
however there will be no move by the
governor. It has been intimated that one
of the probable reasons for the rejection
of Col Button was the belief that he had
had finger in precipitating the investi-
cation of the commission by the general
assembly.
State Superintendent Eggleston declares
that with the beginning of the school year
in September there will be at least $50
more high schools in the state than ever
before. Every county In the state Will
have one more, save with the exception
of six counties, which have not yet APP
piled for them In many instances the
district school boards have doubled the
high schools. In this city nearly half
million dollars will be spent in the pur-
chase of a site and building modern high
school building for white pupils.
Governor Swanson and the attorney gen.
eral have begun the fight to force the rail-
roads to observe the act of the general
assembly and to provide for a two-cent
passenger rate on roads in this state. The
attorney general has obtained an order
from the, commission to direct the rail-
roads to show cause July IS why they
should not be fined for failure to comply
with the provisions of the act of the gem
eral assembly requiring them to place tick
cts on sale. The railroads treated the act
with absolute Indifference. Attorneys for
the roads contend that the general assem-
bly, has no right to name rates, that the
corporation commission is charged with
that duty. On the other hand, these same
roads are now engaged in a deadly struggle
to prevent the commission from prescribing
freight rates.
1t is an open secret that the railroads
are going to the Supreme Court oil the
United States in the matter of the pow
ers and rights of the commission. The
commission, under the clause OF the con-
stitution which deals with the duties and
powers of that body exercises judicial,
legislative and executive powers. There is
section of the constitution which declares
that the three branches of government
shall be kept separate and distinct, Eek
cept as hereinafter provided" and then 1t
is silent as TO comforting all these powers
on the commission That Is the point
which the railroads will hold are contrary
to the provisions of the constitution, and
1t is on this point that the matter will be
taken for review by the courts.
The military authorities are to make an
inquiry into the wounding of Private Blunt
In the SHAN battle at Chase City July 4.
The man was shot while ION the retreat"
and 1t is claimed that riot SHELF found
its way into the supposed empty cartridges.
The man was struck by three shot and
was brought here for proper medical atten-
ton. The shooting is said to have been
done by soldier from one of the Norfolk
companies.
Helen Jameson, the woman arrested In
Philadelphia for the police here has been
brought back to Richmond She is alleged
to be an expert forger, and has escaped
conviction by feigning sickness. She is
well connected and Is the wife of promi-
nent Virginian.
Boss plumbers of the city are Arm In their
stand against the striking journeymen, who
are demanding 81 a day and recognition
Of the union along. with a limitation Of the
number of apprentices. The plumbers are
seeking to engage other men to take their
places.
Walter E. STARS. who lately escaped from
the penitentiary. Is still at large. though
offers of a reward for his return to prison
have been made.
The medical colleges here have declined
to amalgamate and the rivalry will con-
tinue. The Medical College of Virginia,
one of the oldest In the country, will open
its doors September 26