The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-28
CITY WILL PAY
FOR CAR TRACKS
Finance Committee Rejects
Plan for Mayo Bridge
Construction.
PROMPT ACTION IS URGED
Appropriation Of SIS, 800 Is
Recommended for Cost
of Tracks.

Richmond will construct. pay for.
aud own the street car tracks on the
new Mayo Bridge If recommend
alton of the Council Finance Com
rnittee made last night carrying an
approp alton of I5,500 is adopted
The amount of toll to be charged for
their use by street cars IS left Tor
future determination.
Some weeks ago city Engineer
Boiling called attention to the fact
that work on the new bridge was
nearing the point where the construc-
ton OF the tracks would have 10 be
determined. When the contract for
the bridge WAS awarded, the con
tractors, I. j. Smith & Co. bid sI5.Jo
for the track work and SALES.--FUTURE.
az d separate item not included in
the general contract. The Virginia
Railway and Power Company under
its general franchise has the right,
and in fact may be required to use
the bridge for it's Hull Street line,
the franchise having been held in
allegiance since the old Mayo Bridge
was condemned.
Difference of Opinion.
In using the old Mayo Bridge which
was the private property of the Mayo
Land and Bridge Company, the street
railway company paid a toll based on
the number OF cars Since the new
bridge will be city property, difference
of opinion has arisen as to pay ment OF
toll by the company. The City At
torney takes the ground that since the
structure belongs 10 the city, IL may
charge transportation and TRANSMISSION
companies a reasonable amount for its
use. Notwithstanding the fact that the
bridge VIII be free TO all others, and that
the Virginia Railway and Power Com
pany i. the largest single tax payer IN
the community attorneys LOT the
company take the ground that When
opened, the new bridge will be public
street, and that under It's iranchlse the
cornpany may operate on IL as Oh other
streets, paying for the track construc-
ton and for the paving between ana Tor
two feet on either side or the tracks
Boiling Anxious for Action
To meet the urgent demands OF CITY
Engineer Boiling that construction
be not delayed by unnecessary argu-
ment. and to meet the desire of the
street railway company that the con-
troversy be settled by arbitration with
out the appearance OF litigation as
between it and the city, City Attorney
Pollard prepared resolution proposing
that the company put up the slS'ovo :
that the bridge contractor proceed with
the track laying. under the City Engi-
neer's supervision, and that all points
as to future control be submitted to
arbitration If the city won its con-
tention, IL was to reimburse the com
pany for its outlay, and thereafter sn1
a reasonable charge for use OF tne
bridge If the company won. II Wouio
be out the money 1t had already paio
for the tracks, but would own them
and would have to maintain them ana
the roadbed adjoining.
Mr.. Pollard explained the situation
to the Finance Committee last night
Captain A b Guigon appearing Tor
the Virginia Railway and Power Com
pany II was explained that the
question of some other company cross
ing the bridge would have no bearing,
as should. for instance. the city grant
a franchise to the Richmond and Hen
rico Company 70. operate cars over the
bridge, the com pany owning the tracks
would be required under its FRANCHISE
to consent, payment for sucn JOINT
use to be fixed by arbitration. as ID the
case of Broad Street. where both com
panies use the same tracks
Committee Rejects Plan Proposed.
The committee thought the city
would hold the upper hand in the SIT
nation by constructing the tracks IN
the drst instance. maintaining them
at its own cost and charging for their
use. and "A resolution was forwarded
to the Council providing for the ap-
preparation of $500 and instructlng
the City Engineer to have the tracks
laid No provision was made Tor
their welding or after maintenance
The question OF whether the city can
charge for their use viii therefore De
determined by some form OF friendly
litigation when the city seeks TO com
mel the company 20 live up TO its fran
chise and use the new bridge.