The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-21
PEOPLES FORUM


Editor Richmond virginian:
Sir.-Doubtlcss the public has read with
great interest the letter from MIR. w. n. North
rop, published in your paper OF July l. Spleen
ala assurance Is there given Of the upright
ness OF the company's intentions. The people
can also give the most excellent assurance that
.ner Intentions are strictly upright and hon
est so Tar so good. The people will, indeed
he glad to have Its unrest allayed If 1t exists
based upon certain vague and unfounded
seruons." But 1t will take something more than
mere words to prove to the people tina: their
unrest in connection with proposed change in
the present transfer and fare system now in
erect under franchises granted by the city of
Richmond IL based upon certain vague and
unfounded assertions" Mr.. Nortt4op tells us
that the company has not in contem plation
any change in the general system of fares and
transfers now in effect under franchises grant
ed by the city of Richmond" Nevertheless, in
the face OF this statement. there was presented
to the board of aldermen on last night a ne
iton introduced by President Whttet, at the
instance of Mr.. John c. Robinson. asking for
authority to separate from the city system and
to sell the Seven Pines line. by which trans
action it is proposed to do away with the pres
ent transfer system on the above line. The
rest In the minds of the thousands OF people
affected BY a prospect of being deprived of
transfers on the Seven Pines car line does not
rest upon certain vague and unfounded as
sertons." but upon the actual attempt by the
company TO take away the transfer. On other
occasions the company has attempted to take
away from the Seven Pines line the trans
fer system now in operation. but prevent
ed from doing so by the action of the State
Corporation Commission at the instance of the
people, There is objection in the minds of
the people to the sale of the Seven Pines car
line provided the present transfer system is
maintained. But when the sale of the road is
made excuse for the destroying of the
transfer system, the people travelling upon this
line to and from the city of Richmond feel per
fectly justified in vigorously opposing the do
ing away with the present transfer system. To
these people 1t means an exact doubling OF
fare to and from Richmond. Thousands OF
those living In Henrico county and in the city
of Richmond would thus be called upon to
contribute an extra fare IN every trip the
car line to and from the city. Mr.. Northrop
can be assured that if the people lacking
in confidence in the honest intentions of the
company there appear good reasons for It. 1t
viii be serious mistake for the officials of
the company to suppose that fine words win
offset hardships imposed upon the people
wrongfully or that the people viii tamely sub
nit to or readily forget the imposition OF hard
conditions upon them for the purpose of in
creasing the companys present good profits.
This ia the day when the people organizing
for self protection and for the purpose Of
posing to the fun light corporate and political
transactions. We cannot for a moment regard
il fair deal for the company to make the
sale OF the road excuse for destroying the
present transfer system. Thousands Of people
are opposed to the granting Of the company's
petition. Yours very truly
II. w SAVAGE.
July 10. 1911.