The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-30
ELECTRIC PLAN
/ MUST BE REP AIRED
Corporation Commission Enters
Order in Newport News
Situation.
TRAFFoRD MAKES REPORT
Company Is Working to Repair
Property and Restore
Efficiency.
MAKES REPORT

Acting on report OF Electrical En-
gineer E. w. Trafford the State Cor
poration Commission yesterday issued
an order directing the Newport News
and Old Point Railway and Electric
company to put Its establishment In
repair within thirty days. and that its
entire plant be completely renovated
within four months. The action was
taken on application of Marquis Jones.
Mayor Of Newport News. and others.
who made formal complaint 10 tho
commission of the service being rom
dercd.
), The commission retained Engineer
ten o& tho plant for tho State and
his report was Sled Yesterday morning
me report sets fcrth that the entire
plant Is In need OF repairs. and that
the public service rendered as a cor
poration chartered for traction and
Lighting purposes is Inadequate. Mr..
about by the Newport News and old
Point Railway Company having used
salt water in it's boilers without DIS
t:la tior.
1raHnrd's Conclusions.
MIR. Trafford reported In writing the
follow:rs conclusions:
Il That the present condition OF the
condition has been brought about by
The oompany's lack OF foresight. care
and attention
20 That by the exercise Of ordinary
skill the company could have known
for z period of at least six months
prior 70 sle present time that their
plant was becoming inefficient and In
necc of repairs. as evidenced by the
Increased nuantitv OF fuel REQUIRED per
nour of output. as shown by their own
records
70 That. by. reason of their failure
to maintain their plant in an efficient
ana reliablc conditions the company
has been subjected TO very heavy loss
IN the increased cost Of operation. loss
Of revenue and repairs of their plant.
and the public has been Inconvenience
ana ANNOYED by defective service.
company IS whole is of satisfactory
grade and capacity for it's present bus
NESS ,ne END II properly repaired and
rubiic demand
IS That at the time of inspection
the company was proceeding energeti-
cnllv with the work OF repairs. nth
as large a force as could be effectively
employed.
IS am Of the opinion that it Il
plant Immediately in condition TO rem
der the whole of the service required
or the Company in reliable manner,
and skill ! believe that within a pc
Rod of thirty days 1t may he placed
In condition of reasonable reliability,
and thac the whole nlant may be COM
a period of four months
Order OF Commfsston.
Council for the company briefly ar
gued the case admitting the main
POINTS of Mr.. Trafford's specifications.
whereupon the commission entered the
following order:
The petitioner. the Commonwealth,
of Virginia. at the relation of Marquis
Jones. Mayor OF the city Of Newport
News, having heretofore filed its pc
tition. and the defendant, the Newport
News and Old Point Railway and E,lec
trio Company. having waived notice
and having this day filed It's answer to
the petition, whercupon came the par
ties by their attorneys. and by consent.
the evidence having been submitted and
the argument of counsel heard, it Is
considered by the commission:
Il. That the defendant company pro-
coed forthwith to put its plant in such
Il condition Of repair that within
thirty days from this date. by the cX-
crc;se of due diligence and skill. the
whole OF the service required of the
company may be performed in a re-
lioblc manner
"2. That within four months from
this date. its entire plant be complete
" and thoroughly repaired SO as TO
give assurance that all of its public
duties Will be promptly and fully per-
formed.
"All other questions are reserved"