The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-24
FRANCHISE MATTER
GOES over AGAIN
COMMITTEE HEARS Mn. ANDERSON
IN OPPOSITION TO GRANTING
MEASURE.
ALSO HAVE WRANGLE
BY TIME ROTH ARE OVER IT is
TIME TO ADJOURN AND THIS
IS DONE. TO MONDAY
NIGHT.


Henry W. Anderson, representing
the Virginia Railway and Power com
pany. managed to get through a speech
OF an hour at the meeting of the street
committee of the city council last
night.
The committee wrangled and fumed
around for more than an hour before
1t got down to business. and then the
procedure was interrupted at frequent
intervals by cross-talk by the mem
bers.
Chairman Pollock had trouble main
tanning order. and at once point called
upon the sergea MT -at-arms to prevent
an outbreak upon the part OF Alder
men Gunst and Powers. Mr.. Ruskeii,
the sergeant-at-aTms, was not COM
PEELED to perform the duty, however
as the gentlemen quieted down before
the laws of the committee were ac-
tualiy invoked.
The preIiminaries included debate as
to procedure In considering the light
and power franchise which had been
sent from council to the committee to
act upon. Some members were in
clined to discuss the entire franchise.
while others felt that only the award
OF the franchise should be consid-
cred.
Question Of Award.
city Attorney Anderson said that
the committee had the power 10 con-
slider the whole matter, but questioned
the good sense OF doing SO. He said
the real question before the committee
was that of awarding the franchise.
Messrs. Gunst Nielsen and Haddon
wanted nothing discussed but the
award, while Messrs. Mills. Fuller.
Powers and Sonderlehr would hear
discussion of the franchise as well as
the award. Upon vote on this prop
osition the complexion of the commit
tee as TO the award Of the franchise
appeared. apparently. The poll on the
question showed that Gunst. Haddon
and Nielsen were lined up one one side,
while Powers. Mills, Fuller, Wonder
lehr and Pollock faced the other way.
After the foul line had been estab-
iished and the method OF. procedure
established, the question as to which
side should open the debate was dis
cussed.
Henry w. Anderson was present In
the Interests OF the Virginia. Railway
and Power company, opponents of the
ordinance granting the franchise;
Charles V. Meredith and Samuel l..
Kelley were on hand In the interests
OF the Richmond and Henrieo com
pany. and Judge George Christian rep
Arthur Upper & Co. hank
ers of New York.
Considers Two Bios.
The Richmond and Henrico COM
pany had bid $40 for the franchise,
while Upper & Co. offered $1,000
Upon these two bids council had d.
rected the committee to act.
In opposition 10 the award OF the
<x..r hi 81.
Power company appeared. This com
F.aas fought the ordinance step by
step as it passed along its success
full. though rough. road TO victory.
1t has intifnated that as last stand
the matter will be carried into the
courts.
Upon motion of Mr.. Mills the line
up was arranged so tina. Mr. Ander-
son SHOULD open, Judge Christian to
follow. with Mr.. Meredith and Mr..
Kelley bringing up the rear,
An interested audience gathered
around the committee. Among those
present were Fritz ss.terding. vice.
president OF the Virginia Railway and
Power company. and John G. Hagan.
vfcepresident of the Richmond and
Henrico company
Mr.. AnderS,n's Argument.
Mr.. Anderson begun has argument
at 9:25 o'clock, and closed at 1925.
He presented practically the same adj
dress he delivered when the question
went to Mayor Richardson for his
approval.
His contention was that the fran
chise was Illegally drawn, and that Ii
would not stand Ii carried into court,
inasmuch as the statutes clearly stated
that the city council had the power.
and tina. body alone. TO transact the
business which it had delegated 80.
the committee.
struve 10 show the committee TIA
uselessness of franchise competition
in public service, costing the people
much. and finally resulting in conn
bination.
HIt cannot be shown that this pro-
posed franchise will give Ia the city
something which she has not said
Mr.. Anderson. The existing franz
chise Is giving good service at rcss SON
able rates. The proposed franchise
offers nothing better"
He showed that the history ef ali
EurtT competition, was tir:t--,-af trr much
mHe4s tea ring UP az streets
eui sidewalks. and much battling.
the TUHi merger GHIlts tHu Inc ptopl9
l,3i9 the penalty.
the Virginia RAILWAY and Power
company is now carrying :, irr'ten In
.hl shape Of old franchises gathered
in during the past number NJ year s.
said AIR. anderson.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Ander.
sons argument, Mr.. Mills suggested
that further debate be continued to
another time, as the hour had grown
late and 1t would be impossible to
finish fise business As this sitting. ~
Mr.. Meredith pleaded the commit
tee to go on. but the committee In
sisted upon adjournment. although
AIessre. Nielsen and Haddon desired
continuance to midnight at least.
1t was determined. at the request
OF Mr.. Anderson and Judge Christian.
to meet again next Monday night. at
which time both the New York bid
der and the Richmond and Henrico
company will be heard on the ques-
ton of the award OF the franchise.