The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-19
TRYING TO FORCE
VOTE IN COUNCIL
Richmond and Henrico Gets
Special Meeting to Pass on
Franchise Grant.
MUCH SENSATIONAL TALK
Friends of New Company Want
Action Before They Drop
Out in September.
MUCH SENSATIONAL TALK

While a memorandum at the city
Hall indicated at o'clock yesterday
afternoon that a special meeting OF
the Common Council would be held on
Friday night to take up the Richmond
and Henrico Railway Companys APP
plicatIon for light and power fran
chise. President Robert Lee Peters
stated at $40 o'clock last night that
he had not officially received the petit
ton to call special meeting. Sam
uel l. Kelley, counsel for the company
asked President Peters earlier in the
day about a special meeting. a petit
ton for which was being circulated by
Wilton F. jenkins. vice-president of
the Richmond and Henrico Company.
jenkins HIS i:hc List.
After consulting casually with Ser
geant-at-Arms Ruskell. of City Coun-
Gil, Mr.. Peters found chat the calen-
dar was clear for Friday night. SO he
intimated that the meeting would be
held then II sufficient number OF
Councilmen signed the petition.
When asked last night for the names
of the members signing the petition.
Mr. Ruskell said that the paper was
in the hands of Mr.. jenkins, his un-
Outstanding OF the matter being that
1T would be presented to President
Peters this morning.
Councilmen who arc cpposeS to the
franchise grant spoke rather sharply
yesterday of what they termed an
effort to railroad it through the two
branches without thorough discus
sion of It's merits.
Within the past few weeks the
whole question has aroused great
deal of bitterness and has lead to much
street talk. some OF which is sen:s.
tional.
Majority Can Grant It,
The franchise can be granted by a
bare majority vote 1t must go through
the Common Council and the Board of
Aldermen. and must he signed finally
by Mayor Richardson. Since the meet
ing of the East End Citizens Asso-
cintion. at which Rev. George w. Nc
Daniel, OF the First Baptist Church
spoke by invitation in favor of the
Richmond and Henrico Company's ap-
pncation, and at which resolutions
were adopted. the public has followed
the discussion more closely, and mem
bers Of Council who are not on the
Street Committee are seeking add
tional light Broadly speaking the
sentiment of these members is thatI
the new company should have its fran
ohise provided it is identically the |
same as that hold by the older COM
pany, the argument being advanced |
that both should be required to serve
all parts OF the city at the same rate
OF service.
The stand taken by Councilman Gill
bert K. Pollock commanded much at
tention Mr.. Pollock contended that
the city's demand that the new com
psny should be required TO furnish
power in any part of the city, even
IL the company showed that TO do so
would entail financial loss. would not
hold in court. and he was opposed to a
franchise which would lead to end |
less litigation and injuactions.
Friends of the Richmond and Hen
rico Company assert that there will
not be the least trouble in getting til c
franchise through the Common Coun-
ell. An effort is being made to have
enough friendly members in attend
anee on Friday night to rush It'll
through.
The application will have harder
However, the general opinion yester-
day cling that the Board would not
pass II in the form approved by the |
street Committee The most reason /
able theory, therefore, Is that while 1t |
may be adopted by the lower branch !
ii Will he sent back from the Board in |
amended form. which means that !
there will be a second fight. So if |
the Common Council should adopt the !
accommodation of its committee this |
week II may be some time before the |
ordnance reaches the Mayor, II 1t |
should ever reach him at all.
Explains Sudden Haste.
II was evident from the talk YES
terday that the new COMPANY Is !
anxious to have the matter settled ,
during the life OF the present Council, |
which will go out of office on Septem-
Der ]. After that date the member
ship Will be cut In half Many adj
Nocates of the franchise were de- !
feated in the recent primary. and they |
want TO force vote before they arc !
forced 10 drop out of power.