The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-15
PROTEST AGAINST
CLOSING CITY DOCK
bondholders committee of the William

bondholders committee of the William
r. Trigg Company. owners of the dock,
had petititioned the Corporation Com
mission, through Richard Evelyn Byrd
as attorney. for permission to close the
dock under provisions of the bill re-
ferred TO. a hearing on the petition Is
set for July 26. at which time all IN
terested parties will be given an OPP
portunity to express their views before
the commission.
Those Taking Part.
Among those present at the meeting
yesterday were Mayor d. C. Richard
son, City Attorney II. r. Pollard, Henry
W. Wood. E. c. Laird, Frank w. Brown,
Tazewell II. Darlington, w. t. Reed.
B. H Ellington, o. II. Funston, II. w.
Rountree s. II. Halves, f. D. Williams.
Z. K. Victor, Julius A aobson, George
Bryan, Judge George l.. Christian and
r. S. Christian.
Mr. Wood called the meeting to or
der and stated that as it was con-
ference representing various interests
he would be glad TO have nominations
for chairman. George Bryan said he
felt assured that the meeting would
desire Mr.. Wood to preside, and he
therefore nominated him and put the
, motion. whereupon Mr.. Wood was
unanimously elected as chairman.
Mr.. Wood then called upon the Sec
rotary of the chamber TO read the no.
tice stating the object of the meeting,
after which he invited Mayor Richard
son to address the meeting.
Mayor Richardson's Views.
Mayor Richardson stated that he had
had his attention called to the bill
| passed at the last meeting of the Leg
islature. referred to in the notice, by
| a letter from a committee of the cham
Der, and had referred that letter to the
| City Attorney for his opinion as to
what steps should or could be taken
| by the city in the premises; but the
bill not being an emergency bill, and
the City Attorney having been very
much occupied with cases then pend
ling in court, no immediate action was
| taken, though he was assured that the
! CITY Attorney had been carefully con-
steering the question. The Mayor fur
| Their stated that while he had not
given the subject any very careful con-
| sheraton. pending receipt of the City
Attorneys opinion. he was opposed to
the closing of the dock and thought
it If it could be legally done; that
certainly 1t would put the city in an
unfavorable attitude in asking appro-
prations from the general government
| for the improvement of James River
and from the City Council, If the dock
were to be closed.
| For the Bondholdcrs.
| Eppa Hunton, Jr., who was present
stated that he desired to explain his
| further considered He said that he
appeared as counsel for the bondhold
ers Of the W. +. Trigg shipbuildine
Company, and had before the meeting
informed the president of the chamber
! of that fact, and that he desired tC
make u statement on behalf of his eli,
cpts, and then would retire from the
4 meeting If 1t was advisable for hin
| to do so.
Mayor Richardson moved that Mr.
| Eunton kt. invited TO address the meet.
ling and to remain.
4 Mr.. Hunton reviewed the fact thai
4 the bondholders had given an option
to the Chamber OF Commerce for the
4 dock property, which had been asked
for by the chamber. with the view Of
Inducing the city of Richmond to pur,
4 chase the property; but that after ac
tive efforts on the part Of representa-
1 tiyes of the chamber, they had failed
to get the city to buy or to interes
the city authorities in the proposition
He stated that this being the case
!
(. declined to about s2.50O per annum TIL,
A bondholders desired to sell it for tn,
purpose OF paying the debts due b,
/ the company, some OF which We're du
4 10 citizens of Richmond, and that Al
the property would be worth mucl
more ii filled in and utilized for othe
purposes, he did not think the bond
holders should be compelled to hold 1t
especially as the city was constructing
wharves on the river front, at which
vessels would be accommodated fire.
of wharfage. which would tend to fur
Their diminish the receipts from thu
dock.
city Attorney Speaks.
City Attorney Pollard was invited Il
address the meeting, and stated tina
Inc had given the matter due consider
Iation, and that the Assistant City at
torney was carefully examining TIL
records and documents relating to TIL
question. He said that he was or thu
opinion that the movement to clos
a itho docl. could be SuCCeSSfully iranSsaed