Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-07
Fourth Ward Alderman New
Of Finance Committee.
METER ORDINANCE FIGHT
Representatives Of Light Companies
Declare They Have Right TO Re-
quire Deposits From Customers
Action Postponed.

Alderman Caleb ID. West. OF the
Fourth ward, was unanimously eject
I'd chairman Of the council commit
tee On finance last night 10 succeed
Mr.. John Winston Read, who resign.
ed from the board of aldermen In
October Immediately after his eiec-
iion Mr. West assumed the chair and
presided at the session of the commit
tee, which was long and busy one.
Among the city cfiicia.s and others.
Mr.. West is regarded as one or the
ablest and most conscientious men IN
the city council and as election 10
the Craftsmanship of the most i'm
portant of all Of the council commit
toes will be received with general
satisfaction in municipal circles.
Not since the consideration of the
last budget nearly year ago has
the finance committee held such \
lengthy aud important meeting as that
Of last night The most important
matter considered was the ordinance
recently introduced in the council by
Councilman r. T. Christie. of the
Setsnd ward and requiring all gas
and electric light companies doing
business In the city TO place On de-
rcsit In banks at interest all OF the
deposits which such companies re-
ceive from consumers when gas and
electric light meters are installed in
buildings.
Challenge City's Right.
General Manager w. W. s. Butler,
OF the street railway gas and light
companies OF the city. and Attorney
L. NJ. Braxton. counsel for the com
panies, were present and they chal-
ienged the right of the city to adopt
such an ordinance as that under con-
sideration They declared that the
deposits made on meters is collect
ed as an advance payment on
the electric light and gas bills OF
their consumers and that the law
gives them the right to demand such
a deposit.
In replying to questions from mem
bers of TIE committee. the officials
of the company stated that the New
port News Gas Company and the Clti-
zens' Railway Light 4 Power COM
pany have received between $4,000
that this money is being used by the
companies in the conduct OF their
business.
Suspend Action On Ordinances.
: After hearing the objection ad-
yanced by the representatives OF the
two companies. the committee decid-
ed to defer action on the ordinance
until the next regular meeting and
in the meantime TO get the advice OF
City Attorney J. A. Massie as TO the
legality of the measure.
A stack OF bills measuring about
foot deep was disposed OF by the
committee and all Of them we're APP
proved. These bills included those
for every department in the city and
! came frcm all OF the other council
committees.
D,ils Of the committee on build
iugs and grounds, some OF which
have been running since last January.
were taken up and approved The
buildings AID grounds committee has
bet held a meeting in eight months
and the finance committee had about
dcspaired Of its ever having another
meeting.
Sand Wants Appropriation.
Representatives of the Eagle Engine
Company's band appeared before the
committee and requested that the
council make an Apr, priaticn OF
S3e0 fer the band concerts to be
given by this band during the com
ing summer. The appropriation for
the past summer was only $3.50. but
the arsinen explained that their
former leader Of the band who was
getting only SIS month has left the
city and the band will have TO pay
double that amount fer anciner lead
err The committee will take this
matter up at later date.
TIE committee directed the city
auditor to place the 5000 recently
appropriated By the council for The
sinking fund in bank at interest.
Purchasing Committee.
Alderman West resolution provid
ing for the creation Of a purchasing
committee 30 make al purchases fol
every city department from the lowest
bidder was considered. but the con
rnltfee decided to lay this matter Ovel
until next month and 20 have the city
s-toxney draw 2 suitable ordinance
creating the committee before rh'
next meeting.
The members attending the raectiul
laSf night were: Alderman West an'
Mems aud cooncilmen Ford aud Wal
lace.