Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-03-18
SITUATION DISCUSSED At LEheTH
CITY Attorney Massie Explains cond''
tons Which Led to Resolution Re-
ported BY Committee, and Presents
Letters From Mr.. Payne-Messrs.
Post, sehmei1 and 8raxton Heard.

share OF the street paving about Y"
he done BY the city. The common
council, which met in special session
last night to act upon resolution
reported by the highways and sew
ers committee. directing the city at
torney 10 take such steps as may be
necessary 10 compel the companies TO
do the paving required by their fran
chises laid III. resolution on the Ia
ble.
The sentiment againSi taking any
drastic action against the railways
seemed to be unanimous. and the
only question on which the members
disagreed WAS as to The advisability
of having the city contract at once
for. the railways share Of the paving
and collect from the companies later.
A majority favored letting the matter
rest for the present. assurances hay-
inx been given that the companies Will
he In q position in very short time
TO arrange for the paving.
New Curling Protected.
Attending the special meeting were
President Jones and Messrs Boiling.
Cheadle, Christie, Cox. Davis, Ford.
Harris. Jones. w. f., Ketchum, Sprn-
Ill. W. A.. Spruili. W. f.. Via and Wal
lace.
Before going into the paving ques-
ton the body unanimously concurred
In an ordinance, adopted by the upper
brunch, making 1t unlawful to back
vehicles against the new concrete curb
ana gutter during the next three
months, and imposing fine OF not
than q than X10
violations of the ordinance. This was
the only matter OF business included
IN the call in addition to the paving
proposition.
- NJ. Massis Explains.
CITY Attorney Masste briefly ex-
planned the situation which had
brought about the calling Of the
special meeting He said that the
brick paving was at a standstiil pend
ing arrangements for the railway com.
paIifes' share. and that In justice to
Contractor Davis. as we'll as In Or
der to, have the work completed a.
room as possible. 1t had been consid-
erad Advisable that steps should be
taken to require the railways to pro-
vide for their work. He explained
that there were three things the cOun.
ell could do: contract for the paving
and collect from the companies when
the work has been done; declare the
franchises of the companies forfeited.
or ask for the appointment OF re-
ceiver with power to issue receivers
certificates for the paving. He point
d out that the TWO latter courses
would involve long drawn-ont legal
proceedings.
Mr.. Msssic went on to say that he
had talked with Mr.. W. ]. Payne.
president OF the Newport News and
Old Point Railway and Electric Com
pany. over the long distance tele-
phone and that Mr. Payne had as
sured him that he would have at
tended the council meeting II 1t had
not been necessary for him 10 be in
New York in connection with the
Maryland Trust Company's applica-
tioG for a receiver for his company.
Mr.. Payne, he said. had assured him
that the companies would attend to
the paving, and had asked that the
council 20 ahead with the work. Mr..
Nassie presented letters from Mr..
Payne, in one Of which Mr.. Payne
personally guaranteed the payment OF
anY money spent bv the city for the
railways share OF the paving.
Mr.. Massie expressed the opinion
that The city would be adequately pro-
tected by the franchise liens and Mr..
Payne's guarantee. il the council
should decide to proceed with the
paving.
companies' Representative.
S.h l.
dept Of the Newport News AMI Old
Pusnt Company. Mr.. Walter A. Post.
president Of the Citizens Railway
Iight and Power Company. and Mr.. f.
n. Braxton counsel for the companies.
Addressed the council. All three Of
these gentlemen. as representative
az the railways and as citizens urged
the council to adop, no such measure
- that reported by the committee
They explained that while the Mary
and Trust Companv's application for
q receiver Is pending the companies
sre poweriess 10 provide for the paw
jng. and declared that II would not
oaIy he unjust to the companies. but
hilarious To fhe blsiness interests
a the community to take any step "a
enSarrsas the railways a. this time
They seemed to BE- assured that the
utiGasion wilI be settled when Jndes
WHddiu holds court in Richmond
sexS week. IL Il has not been disposed
a oct OF court before that time.
pOth Mr.. Post and M. Schmet'
declared that the ioca, railways ar
n better financial condition AZ this
si1ee than thew have been in for years
n, Brsxsoa called attention to VIA
NJ, ,eassse had said about long drawn
, - Btissssca. snd awe't upon the fact
at the council would gain Bothin'
|. b 6rasfte seton.
LaiI On. rse,e.
Ns. Eosa sad tha: u vas plain TIA
1870 fOula b Accomplished By
$50 q M tine, and moved tina