The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-09
MUST BUILD LINES
THROUGHOUT CITY

proposition in the open, contenting
that no evidence whatever has been
submitted TO show that the rates
charged here are unreasonable. being.
In fact. lower than the general aver
age Of cities similarly situated; or that
me existing company has failed 10
give AN adequate service. That it is
prepared 10 do SO. II is contended. Is
shown by contracts recently awarded
for an annex TO the powerhouse TO
cost 100000.
poin; of contention from the be-
ginning OF the discussion has been
whether tile Henr!co company would
be allowed to extend its lines only
INTO the manufacturing and wholesale
section. undertaking existing rates
without bearing the burden OF serving
the entire city. including lines which
might bc operated at oss into com
! aratively sparsely settled sections. Al
ii former session the committee or
dered the rtdraftins OF Il section pro-
viding that the incoming company
must, within a specified time. serve
all applicants within the city. unless
relieved from running such lines by
the Committee on Streets. This clause
was adopted as part OF the pro-
posed franchise az a protection both
TO houscholders and 10 the Invested
capital already in the field.
Joint Usc OF Conduits.
There was prolonged discussion last
night over an amendment proposed by
Henry w. Anderson in regard TO tile
terms Of arbitration over the Joint
use OF poles ana condu!ts. The exist
ins company was required by lew 10
build conduits 80 per cent. larger than
its requirements. and as Z matter OF
fact in business sections did build
hon L.. +, II
the immediate needs. IN order 10 avoid
tearing up the streets each time an
additional duct Is Installed
The incoming company VIII be re-
CURED wherever practicable, TO use
those conduits. at rates TO be fI%ed
by arbitration. II was decided that the
proport!onate cost OF the conduit
should be taken into consideration in
hiking the charge for the entering
company. as otherwise II could 80
through the underground district at
cnc-tenth OF the cost OF initial out
lay. and so reap the benefit OF an out
lay which the old company was re-
quired ny law to make without COM
pcnsation. After cutting out refer
encc to accrued interest since the
condu.ts were installed. the amend
mcnt was adopted una nimously.
Must Build ut Once.
y more importan; amendment speci-
hes that tn Richmond and Hsnr!co
Company shall not contract Cor Ign,
or power until &; has installed ma
chinery at Its power house to the eX
tent Of 3 1000 kilowatt units. and COM
pleted its distribution system 20 a,
least 80 pr cent. OF the area OF the
present service OF the Virginia Rail
way and Pcwe. Company. Mr.. An
derson urged mat Il there were TO hc
:. "a &, as,
Ike equal terms. and taat II Was not
fair competition for the entering
company to serve only the cream OF
the territory The amendment was
adopted after being amended TO spe-
city that this work must DC done
within twelve months OF the accept
ance of Inc franchise. on a d!vid d
vote. Mcssrs Don I'cavy AMI Moore
voting no.
y further anne ndment requiring bond
that the company viii accept thu fran
chlse wac rejected. after the provision
in regard to the bond required by
statute had been so amended as 10
provide thar the bond shall be fled
within thirty days. that tiAa compa ny
shall file its acceptance within sixty
days. and begin construction work
within three months.
Objects 10 Paper franchise.
Frequent reference was made TO the
fac; that the Richmond and Hsnrico
Railway Company neld unexercised for
eight years a street railway franchise,
and Henry W. Anderson, who appeared
for the Virginia Railway end Power
Company fought hard TO have the pro-
posed f-auch!se so hedged about that
If granted and accepted. 1t mus: be
used in q reasonable time. and not be
treated as m r. paper asset for pur-
rose> Of speculation.
Samuel L. Kelley ana Charles V
Meredith VINO represent the Richmond
and Henrico Company, took the other
side o: the argument, asserting that
their compare. Is a going concern, with
a street railway line in operation and
that they seek to enter the lighting
and power hsld and to develop their
lines as the business grows.