The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-17
EFFORT TO RETAIN
PETERSBURG LINE
Chamber Will Endeavor to Sc
cure Wharf Facilities for
Boats.
COMMITTEE IN CHARGE
Anderson Does Not Believe
Owners Will Voluntarily
Repair City Dock.

| Enough nothing definite has yet
oeen decided upon. 1t looks as though
the Petersburg boat line
| VIII be continued in spite of the fact
that the bondholders of the William
X. Trigg Company show no DISPOSE
ton TO repair the gates of the city
uock SO as to put 1t in condition to
receive vessels. AT a meeting of the
chamber of Commerce Committee On
inland Trade. held yesterday after
noon, representatives OF the line gave
assurances that they would be glad
10 continue tho service II adequate
wharfage facilities could be obtained.
ana they, in turn. We're assured by the
committee that everything possible
would be done. Even though the line
cannot be put In commission at once
1t was stated that II anything could
be done in a short while. the company
would walt a reasonable length of
time and resume its schedule as soon
as dock facilities could be arranged
for.
While the Seventeenth Street dock
Is by far the most accessible for ship
pers. the sentiment OF those who at
tended the meeting was such as to in
dictate the Willingness of merchants
here to patronize the line even II 1t
were necessary to make the longer
haul to some other landing place.
Committee Is Named.
This statement prompted the follow.
ing resolution, which was adopted:
That a committee be appointed to
ascertain how soon the Clyde Line
wharf or city dock could be arranged
for the accommodation OF the steam
ship company. and to get proper as
surances from the merchants of the
city to Datronize tho line"
Vice-President T. NJ. Darlington,
who presided over the meeting in
place of Chairman z. C. Laird. who is
out of the city. appointed the follow
ing committee: a. NJ Smith, Joseph
W. Sharpe. John B. Pinder.
The Richmond dock. which is the
property of tho bondholders OF the
Tr!gg Company. is out OF commission
because one Of the gates Is broken
petition is now pending before the
State Corporation Comr1iscIon asking
that they be forced to make the neces-
sary repairs. The answer has been
ordered for August 22 though action
probably will not be taken until Sep
TENDER. Meanwhile the Petersburg
line is at standst!ll. and local ship
pers are suffering great Inconvenience
Bondholders' Defense.
Assistant City Attorney Anderson
was present at the meeting vester
day. He was asked II there was anv
way In which the city could compel
owners OF the dock to make the re-
pairs at once. lie said that he did
not think so: that the power Law in
the hands OF the Corporation Commits
sion. He said also thot he understood
the bondholders, in their answer.
would claim that they were not a
public service corporation. and there
FORE would take the stand that thev
were out of the jurisdiction of the
commission.
Il think" said Colonel Anderson.
that the owners will not repair the
dock II they can help it. nor do he
neVe they Intend to keep 1t up unless
they are forced to do So"
Then the committee began to cast
about for temporary relief for the
shippers who are barred from use of
the dock. Secretary Dunlop, OF the
Chamber, said that the use of the Old
Dominion wharf doubtless could be OBJ
tained for a time. but that there was
no certainty how long. as he was in
formed the structure might be RACED
at any time. The City Engineer and
the Building Inspector were glad to
do all they could to place the city
wharf al the disposal OF shippers. hut
cause shippers would not care to make
the long haul.
Captain John A. Curtis explained the
at length. and was of the
opinion that use OF the city wharf
was the only solution of the problem
of the Petersburg liz.
said that they were willing to meet |
the difficulty together with the Cham
Der OF Commerce, but in order to keen
their line going, 1t was necessary TO |
get sufficient patronage to warrant
running the boats. and they feared It |
could not be gotten II shippers had |
to haul to the city wharf Captain |
Furman said that they had expert |
nnced that difficulty once before and |
could only hold Up their trade by bear
Ing the expense OF transfer to Seven |
teenth Street. Several of the commit |
tee. who are members of large estab-
ishments, said that under the circum- |
stances. they believed most patrons /
would ship by water until some per :,
nanent arrangement could be made.
Mr.. Harrison. representing the |
Crump and West Coal Company. one |
II the petitioners before the State Cor
1oration Commission. stated the side !
'f the coal dealers. showing that il
some relief was Lot obtained soon. IL /
you'd be necessary to land 10000 tons |
81 coal at the railroad wharves and
bring 1t Into the city by cars, entail
ng additional cost to the dealers and
Consequently to the consumers.