The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-04
Aldermen Kill Amend
ment and Grant 1t by
Vote of 19 to 4.
GOES TO MAYOR
FOR APPROVAL
Current Report in Chamber Was
That Majority Of Board Was
Pledged Before Subcommittee
Acted-Bennett, Rennolds,
GrunSy and Pcrdue
Vote No.

The Board Of Aldermen last night .
b. vote OF 70 to 4. ooncurrcd Ia the
ordinance granting an electric ligh,
and power franchise to the Richmond
and Henrico Railway COMPANY. IN
amendment offered b. Sir Powers
having for it's intent to require the
company to sell light and power 10 all /
citizens unless specifically relieved /
instead Of allowing it only 10 serve /
;Ie most profitable zone. leaving out
sidcrs without the benefit that may /
accrue from competition. vas rejected 4
Z to Is. All or the ccbate was on tho
amendment. It Was ;he current report (
in the chamber that i majority Of the 4
Aldermen had been pledged to vote /
Tor the franchise before it was re-
ported by the subcommittee OF the /
candidates Tor the Administrative
Board Sir Benne,, voted for the
amendment, ana. wnen ina, failed /
against the ordinance. Mcssrs. Guns,. /
Don Leavy Robson and Whittei
against the amendment. and for the
grant of the entire right as requested |
by the Richmond and Henrico com /
pany
Hobson aud Powers Have Tilt.
The debate was .nlivcued by q sharp I
spat between Messrs Hobson and Pow J
err MI Hobson aehtine hard Tor the
H'nTio5 Company in opposition to tho
fovcrs amendment in tho course o.,
his REMARKS he lntima,ed thar tho
amendment; was Offered 10 break tho
Nichmome and Hemr.co Company. as it
might be bankrupt q forced TO make /
tsfpnGlftrre O. tt..r
OF the city IN few Years
MF Powers protested against the
insinuation that he had prepared an
amendment fog any such purpose.
pointing out his consistent ngh; for
sucA clause in the ordinance when
II was being considered by tho Com
mi,tee on streets
Well said Nj Hobson slowly. "a
ccpy Of tho IDENTICAL amendnlen, you
have offered was broueh, TO my once
yesterday pN an attorney FOR the VIZ
gina Railway and Power Company"
Very possibly said Mi Powers
gave copies TO several people yes
teFday ! claim all Responsibility for
the amendment ami have fought for
the pFlnc!Pa! i, involves from the
first
Well all mean, was ina, amend
were only for delay and TO de:ea;
the whole matter said Nh Hobson
1T is never too late to protect tn
interests OF the city" Gu; in Colonel
Ergncy. which brought nrst applause
OF the night from those OPPOSED to
The franchise
Purpose OF Amendments
MI Powers explained the purpose
OF his amendment In detail As pro-
Nided b. the ordinance. the company
1iles initial route wnlch may be
ALTERED by the Committee on streets
When approved 1t must be completed
within q specified time. Thereafter.
when any citizen not on that route
desires light OF power he must come
TO the Council and ask an ordinance
,irequiring an extension. Under the
powers amendment the burden would
have shifted to the company to serve
The citizens unless relieved from go
Inns into any unprontsb BILE section by
notion OF the Council Fearing that
any amendment a this time might
5eopardize the hnal passage OF the
franchise. he had asked the City At
torney for an opinion. which he read
In 1t Mr. Pollard clearly stated that
there was no limit OF time by reason
rof the death OF this Council on August
el
This Council might order the adj
'vertisement Of the franchise. and the
incoming Council perfect 1t without
introducing II as new paper.
In view OF this opinion MT Powers
eaw no reason why the Board should
rot take the time TO more thoroughly
safeguard the interests of the people
lie would place the control in the
hands of the Council so that citizens
desiring light and power would not
have to get down on their knees
either to the Richmond and Henrico
Railway Company or to the Councii.
but might know what rights they Sc
cure in return for the use Of their
streets"
Blended Knees Not Necessary.
Mr.. Moore opposed the amendment.
the Council and get what they wanted
without using Bonded knees. lie
thought it no great embarrassment to
those on the outskirts to come before
the Council and ask on ordinance com
pelling an extension Mr.. CoWardin
agreed that the ordinance was better
as it was. AS n practical proposition
he thought the Council would have an
interminable time hearing from cti-
z,ns on each petition for exemption
which the company might nle. Mr.
Hobson spoke at length against the
amendment. saying that every man
franchise had been a stakeholder in
the Virginia Railway and Power Com
(pany. He thought the Council had no
right to take in.c consideration the
possibility that Mr.. Forbes and his
associates might sell out the franchise
they receive to the present company
Mr. Powers pointed out that undcr
Tho pending ordinance citizens would
tnot only have to petition the Council
for each extension and secure an ord-
tnance. but II that extension was un-