The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-19
DOUBLE OVERHEAD .
SYSTEM WAS KILLED !.
Story Of What Happened
at Meeting Of Commit
tee on Electrolysis.
ALL BEHIND
CLOSED DOORS
Dabney, Mills, Barber White
DonLeavy and Mann Stood by
Opinion OF Superintendent
Bolling-Claim That Rem
nolds Substitute Plays
Into Hands Of Car Co.

Facts which leaked out yesterday re-
Earding the secret meeting OF the joint
Council Committees on Water and tlec-
tricity were the subject of widespread
comment. indicating remarkable re-
yersal OF form on the part OF some of
the members. who had heretofore voted
to protect the property of the city
against damage TO the gas and water
pipes by what Is knaYn as cleo
tro1ysis.
From s. O'Clock until 1890 A. NJ
w. 7. Datney and Morgan II. Mills
who were hopelessly in the minorfty,
and who supported the ordinance for.
the double overhead trolley system. as
earnestly advocated by superintendent
Boiling and a score OF expert engineers.
completely blocked the will Of the ma
3ority In the end the ordinance which
came from the Board of Aldermen re-
over the protest OF Dabney, Mills and a
Few others. and the Rennolds substi-
tute was adopted. According TO n
statemtlt made In the meeting by the
minority leaders. this means that the
matter Is again postponed indefinitely,
and that nothing whatever may be ac-
complished in the life of the present
Council
Condemn Secret Sessions.
yesterday TO give The Times Dispatcn
the copy OF Mr.. Rennolds.s resolution
he would not give the recorded vote
by which II WAS adopted. contendins
executive session. The public has
naturaly been anxious to know why
matter involving such large
amount Yf public funds should be con
sidered secretly. Comment was strong
and bitter. As near as can be mad,
put Mr. Renoldss resolution recited
this time to install the double over
head trolley system, a special commit
tee be created. consisting OF three
members of the Common Council and
four from the Board of Aldermen vino
shall be appointed by the presidents OF
the respective bodies. but who shall
be be members OF the joint committee.
mittee:/
G5 10 Investigate the possibility Of
adjusting the city's claim against the
Swo ,| traction companies. amounting to
t2) To inspect at stated times the
bonding system, by which the railway
companies claim that the electricity is
shot back to the pawerhouse without
Jumping to water pipes nearby.
(3) To try and induce the Richmond
5raetion Company and the Richmond
Passenger and Power Company to act
city. WV ''
Says 1t VIII Delay.
1t was explained by those in favor
3f the substitute. that 1t would really
mean the amicable adjustment of claims
pnd would likewise provide for the
protection OF pipes In the future. The
Committee has six months in which to
report. The charge of the ,,mnority is
fhat IT would not be possible to settle
the question finally within the life of
The present Council. That being true
As alleged. the city would be forced to |
go fover the same ground again al |
When the substitute proposition was
submitted the minority wanted 1t laid |
pn the table and printed, so that time
,nfo m4uld be given alI member, to look
City Attorney Pollard. 1t is claimed |
admitted that he had prepared the res
olution, or at least had seen it, which
TACT Mr.. abney said was surprising
to him in view OF Mr.. Pollard's former
position.
Told Hin to Lower Toncs
Failing to secure time to study the
new matter which suddenly came in |
the minority proceeded with Its fili-
cret. When Mr.. 'Dabney was denounc-
ing. the move in loud tones member
OF the minority requested him to speak
In lower tones.
'I shall not he shouted. II am no
party l1 4 to tn, this secret confab, and what
anxious for the public to hear"
t..
Were many sharp passages. Members |
of the Committee on Water, who had
previously voted to recommend the
double overhead system. had changed
Alderman Mitchell, who has been in
office only a few weeks. was with the
ma59rty and and he VAS was asked rather
position when he had not had sur.
r1clent opportunity OF looking into the
question.
Those In the Minority.
David Meade White fought hard to
nolas resolution, relating to the mex
pediency Of the new system Mr.
White, Mr.. Dahney, Mr.. Mills. Mr. Don
Leavy. Mr.. Barber and Chairman Mann
fron,rll =, all. accounts made up the mnor1-
cept the opinion OF Superintendent
Boiling who had been Investigating the
question for the past eight or ten
ears, putting his advice far ahead
bers. 5S
On the recommendation OF the Wa
ter Committee. the Common Council, a
ietle over year tbs qgo pasSs1 or
ger and Power Company to put in the
Double overhead system. It went to
tha Board for concurrence. Represen-
committee, and 1t was called to mind
~ tho meeting Thursday night--the
secret meeting-that not single in
surance man had gone there to speak
against Its passage Not only that, but
The majority faction was reminded
tnd the official records prove it--tiat
the National Board OF Underwriters
has put itself son record In fav9r OF
lhe double overhead or the x,etallic
underground, preferrlng the former.
however, because II isgnot so expensive
ls the other.
Some members thought 1t eXtrem ely
queer that when M qu!aaatIonn; ST ono involving
for final consideration, Representatives.
OF the Virginia Passenger and Power
Company were not present to be heard, r
INSTEAD, they claimed, there came a
substltutc,j which would have the in
lcoatinued on Tenth Page,l