The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-05

enforced with but little friction, and
WIN beneht 20 hotn races, but the
city Attorney calls attention to the
larger area for the residence of col :
orcd persons. y resolution on the sub
lect has been pending before "A COM
mittec of tho Council for some months,
and ! respectfully urge the Council
10 take UP this subject at once and
SiNe the necessary relief. The City
Attorney and the Mayor will be glad
Council in the effort 10 reach a salts
factory settlement OF the matter.
The Western Union Suit.
During the year several conferences
were held between some of tn officers
and attorneys OF the Western Union
Telegraph Company and tho City At
torney and other officers oil the city
In an effort 10 settle by comprimes
the question OF the occupation OF the
streets OF the city by that company
with it's poles and overhead wires. The
right OF the city to require their re
moval was upheld by decision OF
Judge Golf. OF the United states Cir
cult Court Of Appeals, more than Il
year ago. From this decision the COM
pany took an appeal TO the Supreme
Court of the United states, where the
matter is still pending. AT TWO OF
these conferences | was present. and
the city Attorney on both occasions
stated in such language that he could
not have been misunderstood, that as
Il condition prcccuent TO any COmprO-
mise the company should dismiss its
appeal In the Supreme Court of the
United states. ! left the last confer
ence with tho assurance. as / took it,,
for the attorneys Sor the company. and
with the belief that the appeal would
be Immediately dismissed II now ap-
pears from the report OF the City At
torney that tile appeal has not been
dismissed. and II seems TO be the pur-
pose OF the company to continue the
litigation until the cjtS can be forced
10 grant to the company such privi-
lcGcs as il may desire.
In the meantime the unsightly poles
and dangerous wires atill cumber our
principal streets and impcril the lives
Of our citizans. 4 few years ago a
very reputable citizen Of Richmond
was killed by coming in contact with
one OF the wires belonging to this
company. This wire had fallen across
an electric light wire. which was
charged with an electric current OF
high voltage. The appealed case Will
probably be reached on the docket OF
the supreme Court within a few weeks.
and hops that every proper means
Mil he employed to uphold the rights
oc the city in tile matter
No Electric Plant neport.
coved by me OF the operation OF the
electric plant. This IL in consequence
OF the illness Of Mr.. Tranord.
The report OF the City Chemist dem
onstrates the wisdom of having such
an officer.
The Branch Baths are growing in
popularity and usefulness every year.
The number Of baths was 52.625. show
Ing an increase over the number last
year. The expenses, including sal
aries, were S5.5l6.I6. The revenues
from the baths were s2.G6i.3l The
city made an appropriation OF $4,000
for the maintenance Of the baths. but
only the sum Of $500 was expended
Sh0uIh Purchase the Dock.
In my last annual message ] cX-
pressed the opinion tina, tho city
should own the dock. and gave my
reasons therefor, but. as the PROPOSE
ton 20 close II was then pending DC
fore the state Corporation Commission.