The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-21
Members Balk at Steam Roller
and Want Franchise Ordi-
nance Printed.
WON'T TAKE VOTE TONIGHT
Public Sentiment Forces Delay
Until Matter Is Better
Understood.

The Richmond and 1fcnrico Railway
Compnny's application for n light and
power franchise will not he rnilroad-
cd through the Common Council to-
night.
This fact was made certain yester-
day, in view of the Tremendous pub
lie sentiment against steam roller
methods. and because OF the popular
demand 10 have printed the report
prepared by subcommittee, urging
that the matter be given the most
careful consideration by Council. So
tonight. when the friends OF the new
company undertake TO force an inn
mediate vote. the Council Will demand
delay and order that the record be
printed so that members who want
TO deal fairly by all interests, anu
the taxpayers may be prepared 10 vote
INTEL gently and wisely.
Twenty-four members OF the Com
moh Council now serving, will SO out
OF Office on septic. 81 l. Many or
them We're defeated IN the recent pr!-
mary. y few declined TO run again.
:. others retired that they might be free
TO enter the race for the Admins
trative Board. The fact remains.
however, that twenty-four members
many OF whom are behind the move
ment TO railroad the franchise through
the lower branch tonight. viii have
no voice IN the matter OF franchise
grants after September l.
Public Sentiment Aroused.
TIE most intense feeling has been
aroused in business circles over this
attempt 70 put through franchise
without first giving II the thought
Gnd attention It deserves
Ten OF the eighteen members of the
Common Council who signed the call
tor the special meeting tonight viii
be legislatod out of office at the end
o; August. Looking these facts
squarely in the face, business peopl.
VINO are not interested financially in
either railway company urged that
considefa hpn of, The ordAnance he
postponed until the Councilman them
selves can ur'.crstaud what they are
doing. SO -strdng was this demand
that several members who are In IA
ror OF the franchise, and others who
signed the call. declared that they
would advise the delay, az they were
unwilling to be put IN the same class
with those who are bent upon haste
regardless OF everything
Prints Only Part.
No effort Will be mads to send the
report back 20 the Committee on
Streets. the idea bGng simply TO de-
fer action until the record is print
ed The Richmond and Hcnrico Rail-
way is said 10 hava seriously injured
It's cause by the hurried printing yes
to-day OF the ordinance. without the
subcommittec's report without the
opinion OF Colonel George Wayne An
derson, Assistant City ATTORNEY. who
objects TO it's form. and without the
fund Of Information AS TO rates and
service secureh by the subcommittee
FOR the guidance st the Council. IN.
bare ordinance was printed for mem
hers after The Times Dispatch pub.
Nshed the fact tina; it rad never been
reno.
while the ,peeIci meeting could
have been cal!ed on 'ormsl request
from three members. wilton Ien.
kirs, vice president az the Richmond
and Heurico RaNwag VINO prcparoo
ana circulated tao petition. got elrf-
teen signatures. Mr jenkins aad thi.
petition in circulation Jr two 0avs
the charge being made that The rcw
sisHers in an effort to .-al.e j, ap.
pear that there was sound reason anl
big desire for speedy action.
Won't stand ny Pledge.
II is said inst Fresiderr Petcrs frs
refused to cal. the wo"rlns Tor las
night at the request n tha Richr1or,
and HeurlCo RnliwaF without th
usual and official rcqucst from NON
hers OF CoencA Although the Rich
mond and Hentico ueo4-- stil claimc,
last night that they had TWENTY Nv
Councilman pledged the vote Will no
ne forced to-nisht in the face OF pub