The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-13
PUBLIC HEARING
ON r., & ?. BILL
Merger Feature Will BE Met
With Strong Objections in
Committee.
REDIsTRIcTING UP TO-DAY
Railroads Win Out in Fight Over
sadler Flat-car Bill in
Senate.
REDIsTRIcTInG UP TO-DAY

At special meeting TO be held Friday
night OF this week the Senate Committee
on Finance and Banks will in open SEES
sion, hear arguments for and against the
Dllls allowing the Richmond, F'redericks-
burg and Potomac to surrender its old
charter and IL 1t so desires to merge with.
another railway corporation, provided
that. the State receives, under the reor-
ganlzation or consolidation. a block OF
stock equal in value to stliat 1t now holds
in the present company.
Since the bills were introduced some
days ago, the matter has been discussed
more or less thoroughly in Legislative
circles, and the objection suggested in tho
original reference in this paper to the
measures has been strongly emphasized.
State officials and Legislators generaHy
seem willing to permit surrender of
the old charter, which would mean moth
ing more than a reorganization OF the
present company on a modern basis.
The State would receive its fair share
of stock, and would. besides, recover
taxes annually from the Richmond, Fred.
eIicksburg and Potomac, which, under
the old charter Is exempt
But. violent objection TO the merger fea-
ture and to the clause declaring that the
road shall never be paralleled Is deyel-
oping in many quarters and there will
unuucstionably be strong IL not an
absolutely Overwhelming array /. against
the plan in this aspect. AS for the mer-
ger itself the objection is based chiefly
upon the danger that 1t would open the
way for the corporation which controls
the Washington and Southern Pennsylva-
MIA Railroad to absolutely swallow the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
and seriously damage the interests Of
the State. A. merger. 1t Is held, made
under bill setting forth that the roud
should never, be paralIeled. would in eff
feet be sufficient to create the assumption
OF contractual obligation on the part
OF the State which 1t would be impossi-
BILE for the State at any time to set
/ aside or repeal. This. entirely apart from
what is believed by many would be an
unconstitutional proceeding. would for
ever remove from the State the most eff
fective check 1T now has upon the Rich
mond. fredericksburg and Potomac
the power a any time 70 permit the road
TO be paralleled.
There are several Interesting phases of
the situation that are coming to light
and the legislators are going over the
bills very carefully. The hearing Friday
night Will probably be one of the most
interesting OF the session.
Minority representation on boards of
directors of corporations Is provided in
bill offered yesterday in the Senate,
by Mr.. Thomas. of Lynehburg Under
this act. at each annual meeting of the
stockholders of any corporation, holders
of as much as thirty per cent of the
capital stock. will have the right to
elect for the ensuing year, one director
of their choice.
After hearing lasting over three
hours. the Senate Commottee on Roads
and Internal Navigation last night, re-
ported with the recommendation that it
do not pass the Sadler bill, requiring
railroads to furnish factors with STAN
dards. There was but one vote for the
bill. Representatives of practically every
railroad operating in Virginia were pres
ent.
The Senate Committee on General Laws
yesterday afternoon. reported favorably
the Tovenner bill to prevent adulteration
in the manufacturing and sale of intoxi-
eating liquors, and the Sale BILL 20
prevent the shooting of pigens and
other birds for amusement. The Senate
Committee for Courts of Justice, re-
jected the Patterson bill, allowing women
and men under 81 years of age. but over.
is, to qualify as deputy clerks of courts
and again reported adversely the Thomas
bill establishing the right to condemn an
easement.
Senator Hobbs. of Prince George, yes
;erday offered joint resolution providing
for an amendment to the Consolation
so us to have one-half of the State sen