The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-02-18

Embrey finished his presentation OF III.
application for u franchise.
Mr.. fttxhugh etated that Mr.. q. p. T.
Burgwyn. OF Richmond. president OF ID.
kappahannock Electric Light aud Powel
Plant and president OF the Bridgewatsl
Mile, wa present and would Ike 70 b,
heard, Chairman Howard asked tbs
committee hit was their wish to hear hr
'burgwyn, and assent being given b
gave history ~ bis company from IL,
Infancy. Its progress until now, stated
that IL was furnishing all OF the mean
descent aud electric power 10 the city; be
referred to the interests of the Rsupahan.
mock Co. and the Bridgewater Mills which
were so entwined that II would be hard
to separate them. OF both being praet,.
cally owned by one person. OF ths
purpose OF the company asking for the
franchise to destroy their interests. the
hardship 10 the loss OF money and prop.
erty this owner would suffer by the
granting OF this franchise He asked that
time be given that he and his attorpeys
Messrs Z. V. Meredith and A. W. Holia-
day, oil Richmond, might eramins the
franchise asked Tor as there have been
many changes made since copies were
furnished him lew days previous.
At this, Mr.. Fitzhugh said: Mr. Burg
wyn, all the changes made are favorable
TO the interests OF the city and how can
these affect your
To this, Mr.. Burgw. said: This is
an important matter to us and we think
il fair that the Rappahannoek Co.
through Its attorneys. should be allow
ed TO present its reasons why the fran.
chise should not be granted
Mr.. Bradley asked Mr.. Fitzhugh yhy
the Rappahennock Electric Co. had been
injected into this hearing Mr.. Fitzhugh
replied; only as matter OF policy. ID
will do no harm"
Mr.. W. 5. Embrey, OF the COMMITTEES.
said: IF the Rappahannock Co. desired
franchise let them apply for it as the
other companies are now doing; that 10
was not the purpose of the Council to
give anyonean exclusivefranchise. Two
companies will create healthy competi-
ton"
President Burgwyn then took up the
question OF the proposed ordinance
ia regard to the regulations OF
the wires etc he said the Rappahan-
mock TO was now being governed by the
Southeastern Association and il would
be great hardship on the company to
change these regulations That a new
plant could conform to them. but an old
one could not. He asked that action OF
the committee on the franchise be post
poned until Monday and his ATTORNEYS
be heard.
Mr.. Lane moved that postponement
be made and hearing held on Monday
at Up m. Before action was taken
Judge Embrey asked to be heard. II
was granted.
de entered protest against postpone.
ment; that he wanted the committee to
act at once, either favorsbly or uniavor
ably, so that his company could know
where they stood. BE picked up batct
OF papers and said, Here are notices o.
suits OF the Rsppshannock COMPANY
These are OF almost daily occurrence
They have bounded us to force us to bur
the Rappahsnnock Electric Plant. and
desire TO give notice right here thai
We do not want the plant and do not 10
tend TO buy 1t. Gentlemen" said he. "dc
you realize that capital is not eager e
come 10 fredericksburg; do you realiz.
that IL takes great erort TO get IL e
come here. IL a matter OF sentiment go
Ing To stop what promises n new era n
the history OF Fredericksburg-a worl
that means the expenditure cfthousand
OF dollars and employment OF hundred
OF men at good wages, the bringing o
Industries here. the building 81 homes 10
new population. the enhancement O
values, development OF our resource
that have laid dormant for u huudre,
years and Tor which the present genera
ton has been steadily praying for7
ask you TO act at once A large msjcrit,
OF our people want you to act You d.
your part and we will do ours"
motion was then carried TO 90 int
executive session and the crowd dispers
ed.
hearing will be granted the attorney
OF the Rappahauoock Company Monda
afternoon at O'Clock.