The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-14
MEREDITH FINE
FOR CON temp |
Well Known Attorney Engages
in Sharp Tilt in Hastings
Court.
"
JUDGE WITT RENTS FINE
Court to Instruct Commissioners
on Value Of Mayo Bridge
Rights.
JUDGE WITT RENTS FINE

For engaging in sharp Tilt VIII
City Attorney Henry r. Pollard In tn
Hastings Court yesterday morning
former City Attorney Charles v. Mer
edith was fined $40 for contempt o
1 court by Judge S. B. Witt. me mn
was later RENTED, and the matte
ended by mutual apologies and eXpla
4 nations.
Argument began at 10 o'clock OF
| the instructions to be given by tht
court to the commissioners who have
been appointed to fix the value OF the
! property and right of way OF Mayo's
Bridge, which the city of Richmont
seeks to acquire by condemnation. MI
Meredith appeared for the Mayo Lane
and Bridge Company. and Mr.. Pouare
for the city.
| It was in the course of technical
argument that Mr.. Meredith made some
reference to Mr.. Pollard which the
| .C1ty Attorney resented, Judge WITT
warned the counsel for the bridge COM
pany to confne himself to the legal
points involved, and when Mr.. Mere
dith, with some heat, continued his
statement, the fine was imposed
There We're only a few lawyers and
court officials present at the time.
Argument on the instructions was
completed about noon and will be given
to the commission shortly
To Fix Value of Property.
1t is believed that report Will
shortly be made to the court as to the
value of the property. When the FL
nance Committee of the City Council
sought to deal with the bridge com
II r., t,tth hn
delay of condemna ton, the price was
fixed at s125,O00 for the present bridge
and approaches with strip across
Mayos Island. 1t was brought out at
that time, however, that the bridge
had formerly been offered tolthe street
railway company for 100000, and re-
fused, and that the price had gone up
following the annexation OF Manches-
ter and the insertion of a clause in
the annexation agreement compelling
the consolidated city to erect perma-
nent free bridge on the site now occu-
pied by the condemned structure. The
commissioners have held a number Of
sittings and have heard much argu-
ment as to the value of the property
and it's approaches. Among the legal
points involved and 10 be largely set
tied by the courts instructions will
be the ownership of Fourteenth Street
and lower Hull Street, approaching the
bridge, claimed by the Mayo Land and
Bridge Company, but over which the
city certainly has an easement, II 1t
cannot maintain fee simple title.
Could Not Delay Work.
Another point involved Is the prob
able enhancement of value of Mayos
Island by the erection of an adequate
and modern bridge. Much stress has
been laid by the bridge company on
the value of the present stone piers,
but on advice of the City Engineer
the City Council has already asked for
plans and bids for complete. new,
reinforced concrete structure of per-
manent type.
1t has been pointed out that should
either party to the condemnation pro-
ceedtngs be not satisfied with the find
ings of the appraisers and the judg-
ment of the Hastings Court, appeal
lies to the Supreme Court, but it will
not be necessary to delay the work.
Tor the city may, by giving bond, take
over the site and begin the erection Of
It's bridge, pending a final determine
ton by the courts of the amount IT is
TO pay for the right of way.