The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-29
Committee Wrestles With CUES
ton of Moving Dock Street
Side Track.
MANY WANT 1T TO STAY
Finally Decided to Make Per-
sonal Investigation Before
Acting on Ordinance.

Before enforcing the ordinance re-
Gently adopted by the Council requir-
ing the Southern Railway Company to
change its tracks in Dock Street, the
Council Committee on Streets last
night decided to visit that thorough
fare and see for itself whether traffic
is congested by this side track This
action followed long hearing when
representatives of the railroad, prop
erty owners in Dock Street and va
rious Councilman had discussed the
matter.
General Superintendent II. e. Hutch
ems. in charge of the northern district
of the Southern Railway, presented the
railroads side of the case. He said
that at cost of $1,000 the railroad
had laid the tracks according to city
/ requirements, only little more than
two years ago. He said the company
would have been glad to have placed
the side track on the north side OF
the street. or anywhere else. had the
city at that time notified 1t to do so
He explained that to compel the rail
road to now take UP the tracks and
lay them again appears to be an un-
fair proposition.
Prosperity for All.
Mr.. Hutchens referred to the fact
that what brought prosperity to the
Southern Railway brought 1t to Rich-
mond He said that the Southern Rail
way claims citizenship in Richmond,
and wants to be considered a part and
purcell OF the city. He explained that
there are about 1000 employees of the
company who live in the city, and are
therefore interested in the city's well
fare.
In the course of his address Mr..
Hutchens pointed out that the south
ern had put on new Passenger train.
although 1t was stated at the TINE that
1t would not pay. He said that re-
the road had resulted in an additional
expense of more than S1,o00,o00.. but
that the railroad had not been able TO
raise the rates. In closing Mr.. Hutch
sn Dock Street because of the tracks
being there. He hoped the committee
would weigh the matter carefully be-
fore putting into effect an ordinance
hardship on the railway company,
without accomplishing any good.
Chairman Adams said that he had
ject. but that some remarks that Mr.
Hutchens made had moved him to
change his mind, Il want to say right
here that the Southern Railway has
said Mr.. Adams. %The law provides
that the general offices of the Southern
shall be iii Richmond. They
have little Office here. but the board
of directors meets here and then adj
Journs to Washington and transacts
business
Attacks the Southern.
Since ] have been Il member of this
committee we have always had trouble
with the Southern Railway. Mr.. Hutch |
ems spoke of there being 1000 employees
OF the road here. He comes here and
says that it will work hardship on
his road to spend a few thousand dol
lars to lay this track. What has the
Southern ever done for Richmond? /
Nothing that 1t could get out of. The
Chesapeake and Ohio and the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
have always acted honorably, honestly |
and fairly with the city, but we have |
had more trouble with the Southern
than all the other roads together.
Dock Street is .congested by reason OF
this track in the centre OF the street,
and 1t ought to be moved"
. Attorney Il. Randolph Williams, for
the Southern Railway, replied briefly
TO Mr. Adams. saying he felt sure that
1t was not the desire of the comn,>ttee.
not even Mr.. Adams, TO punish he
Southern. but TO decide the question
at issue on its merits. Mr.. Williams
said 1t had been stated that the South
ern had no right under the city ordi-
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