The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-02
WHITE AND BECK
EXCHANGE WORDS
Latter Tells Railroad President
He Meant Exactly What Hc
Said in Newspaper.
WANT TREsTLEs REMOVED
r., r. & P. to Ask Council Not to
Insist on Expensive
Steel Bridges.
WANT TREsTLEs REMOVED

President William n. White. of the
Richmond. Frederickstu and Po
tomac Railroad Company, appeared be-
fore the Administrative Board yester-
day morning in regard to the removal
OF dangerous wooden trestles obstruct
ing South Seventh and South First
Streets Mr.. White had a copy of
yesterdays Issue of The Times-Dis
patch, containing what he described as
an "inhammatory'' article, which he
was quite certain did not reflect the
views OF the board. Mr.. Beck. who
had given the interview in question.
said it was unnecessary to read il.
os he had both said and meant just
what was quoted. Mr.. White thought
Chairman Whittet might give a state
ment to the effect that SIR. Becli's views
did not reflect the sentiment of the
board. but this AFR. Whittet declined TO
do Tho sentiment OF the board. he
said. was sufficiently expressed in the
unanimous recommendation to the
CITY Council that the distractions to
the streets be ordered removed as
dangerous TO traffic.
Get. Little Satisfaction.
Mr.. White was proceeding to eH-
press the extreme friendliness Of his
railroad for Richmond, its interest In
tho public welfare and desire to up
build the community. when Mr.. Beck
asked whether or not IL was true that
the city had been attempting for
twelve years TO secure the removal of
the old wooden bents blocking traffic
in South Seventh Street, and that In
all that time the railroad had not
lifted its hand to aid In a matter So
vitally affecting public safety and the
progress OF the community.
Protesting against tho greet cost Of
steer and concrete construction. Mr..
White said the railway was looking
~ ,I..tN f..,-
wooden trestles so as TO remove those
supports now resting in the middle OF
the street. and which are a constant
menace TO patrons OF the street cars
and 10 vehicles. Mr. Beck asked why.
IT this were the case. the attorneys
Tor the railroad had raised the techni-
cal point of lack OF jurisdiction on the
part OF the board. and had secured
from the City Attorney nm opinion to
the effect that only the Council could
order the character OF construction on
these trestles changed.
Mr.. White was given TO understand
that the board desired harmony and
cooperation in all matters. but that
IT would not sacrifice the welfare of
the city or give up the use Of business
streets TO a railroad company merely
TO secure that harmony. Mr.. White
gave the board To underStand that the
railroad would stand on its rights in
the matter of removing the wooden
trestles from the street and would
ask the City Council not TO require il
to substitute concrete or steel con-
struction, clearing the street entirely
as is proposed. AS Mr.. White was
leaving the room, Mr.. Folkes called
out:
by the way. AR President. when
arc You going TO pay us those taxes?"
a pleasant reminder of an old contest
Chairman Whittet reiterated after
the meeting that no other city In the
world for one day would allow its
principal streets 10 be taken up by
steam railroad lines with trains run
ming about At grade, and with ancient
wooden trestles blocking cross streets
in several localities.