The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-16
This Clause Inserted in Fran
chise Plan of Richmond and
Hcnrico Company.
NO FINAL ACTION TAKEN
Subcommittee Hears Argument
Until Midnight, and Will
Hear More.

inc CITY VIII grant lighting and pow
er franchise to the Richmond and
Henrico Railway Company a sub
committee OF the Council Committee
on Streets discussed the matter until
midnight. considering amendments 10
the proposed draft offered by the APP
plicants. by the Virginia Railway AMI
Power Company. and By Assistant city
Attorney Anderson. and al n late hour.
with most OF it's business unfinished.
adjourned to meet Thursday night OF
next week
Probably the most Important action
taken was the adoption OF a substitute
clause offered by Chairman Pollock,
requiring tho applicant company TO
furnish light or power to any ono APP
plying within period of twelve
months unless relieved by the Com
mittcc on Streets, this being com
promise between the position taken By
the entering company that 1t should
only serve the business section at FIRST
and grow as its business justifcs. and
the position of the existing company
the Virginia Railway and Power Com
,pany--that tho entering company
should compete on equal terms and be
required to serve tho entire city-not
merely the cream of the territory.
"BlnckmaiI Usually Charged"
Tho proposed franchise was amend
ed to expire July /. 1921. when the eX-
listing franchise expires. Henry W.
Anderson, who appeared for the Sir-
Sinia Railway and Power Company.
asserted that since the applicant com
pany had admitted that the rates here
We're reasonable and tie service ado
quatc. it should be required TO give
some concessions In rates.
He claimed, however. LAT the orler
to give a base rate of cents. as
against the present base rate of 10
cents, with the present rate of dis
counts, would be of little effect II the
| entering company only went Into tho
manufacturing district. where all con-
tracts arc made by special agreement.
Unless applied to power rates also. the
reduction promised would be of 10
benefit to citizens, since there was
nothing In the franchise to compel the
entering company to extend Its lines
| or make light contracts. He predict
cd a war of rates wnich could only re-
/ suit in one company or the other buy
Ing out its competitor and paying the
blackmail usually charged in such
| cases."
Should Serve Whole City.
His company. he asserted. could also
reduce It's rates, were 1t not requirc cd
TO go into the outlying residence dis
| tricts and give service. Mr. Anderson
| offered number of amendments pro-
vidins that the entering company shall
FURNISH power or light to any citizen
living In section now suppliod that
| tho applicant will begin construction
in ninety days and complete IL in
twelve months to a point sufficient TO
! supply 5000 horsepower, and forbid
ding the company to make contracts
for current until its distribution sys-
| tom shall have heen SO per cent COIN
! pleted.
! Mr.. Anderson also asked tb,t tho
| terms of an. arbitration In regard to
| Joint use of conduits be determined
and that ample bond be required. sug-
! costing $4,000. as was required OF tho
Irhanna Railway. reminding the COM
,nittco that the applicants had held
ior ten years an unexercised street
railway franchise hanging over the
head OF the existing lines.
Meredith HeplIes.
| MI. Meredith. for the Richmond and
| Henrlco Railway held that the amend
Inents were so many efforts to ever
| road the franchise so that It could not
ne accepted. He discussed in detail
ne. me oner OF an cent base rate. put
Grained that mis- company could not
ofer general 20 per cent reduction
from all existing rates
MT. hclley held the amendments re-
curing service over the whole city en-
urcly unreasonable, and asserted that
MS company had built Its railroad as
soon as 1t could get the money. Tho
Anderson amendments he described as
unnecessary and unfair
air. Fondcrlehr thought any an
plichnt should como up to the scratch
i WIN something for the beneflt of the
cry, ana moved to take up the rcso-
lus.on making general 20 per cent
leauc'loh In rates. The vote stood
Ayes-Messrs. Pollock, VonderIehr
Miller and IFcrgusson; noes-Mcssrs
moore and Don Leayy. This being tho
first indication of the attitude OF the
committee. Mr.. Pollock stated that
he favored every restriction to pro
tect the city, but since IT had been
admitted that the rates here were
rea sonable and lower than In most
cities similarly situated, he could not
support an amendment which would
practically prevent the new COMPANY
from doing business. and the amend
, ment was thereupon rejected unani-
mously.
Gives Committee Final Power.
/. Tho amendment requiring the enter
ing company to begin work in ninety
days. and complete 1t in twelve months
to any point in the city limits now
supplied with light and power was
discussed, DR.. Miller holding that
when franchise Is given away, It
should he for the benefit of all the
citizens-not merely OF some favored
ward. Mr.. Don Leavy protested that
IT was a matter Of inlpossibIity to
comply and after various counter
propositions. the suggestion Of Chair.
man Pollock requiring the applicant to
furnish light and power to any citizen
unless relieved by the Committee on
Streets was adopted over the protest
OF Messrs. Meredith and Kelley
The committee then adjourned