The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-31

ton, where they have already a large
investment, and where they contem-
plate considerable improvements: and
mat BYRD Street Station. on South Sew
cnth Street, is soon to be abandoned.
Surrounded by freight yards and with
OUT direct street car facilities, 1t Is
becoming more and more Inadequate
and difficult Of access, the recent pur-
chase by the Atlantic Coast Line OF n
largo block of property in the vicinity
leading to tho belief that great
freight centre is to be established he
tween Seventh and Eighth Streets, from
Hyrd street to the river: much OF the
property being already crowded with
the tracks of the Atlantic Coast Line
tlnfms Perpetual Franchise
some weeks ago President White. Of
the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Po-
.omac railroad Company appeared be-
Iore subcommittee OF the Council
ootninlttee on Streets In regard TO a
resolution requiring the company to
remove the tracks now blocking tho
westward development of Broad Street
Alr. White>told the committee that his
company was seriously considering
new station plans, suggesting as his
own desire great million dollar ter
minai somewhere on West Broad Street
Tor the joint use OF the Richmond. Fred
Coast Line Mr.. White took the
ground then that. while the Council
might order the removal Of the second
or shifting track in Broad Street. II
couio not interfere with the perpetual
franchise OF the connection companv
winch operated single track railroad
from Elba to Byrd Street Station. and
"nlcn is owned independently by Phila-
delphia parties not connected with
either the Richmond. Fredericksburg
ana Potomac. by which the line is
leased and operated. or the Atlantic
May Order Tracks underground.
since that meeting City Attorney Pol
lard has given written opinion TO tho
erect that while this is perpetual
franchise, the city may regulate the
manner OF its use and operation. and
uhuer recent. decisions OF the United
states Supreme Court, in the Grand
Rapids case. might order the emire
construction placed underground and
It's operation entirely by electric en-
gines. Such regulation. 1t IS believed.
would effectually dispose Of any OBJ
oection raised by the connection com
pany and open the way either TO the
joint use Of Main Street Station. as pro-
posed by the Chesapeake and Ohio. or
to the erection of West End station.
as suggested by President White, trains
to and from the South to use the Belt
Line tracks beyond the city limits.
At the initial meeting of the special
committee OH union station last week.
MIR. Pollock told of the statement Of
Mr.. White to the Street Committee. and
suggested that he be invited to amplify
his remarks.
Conference Next Week.
The special committee would not con-
slider the plans OF single road, how
ever. and invited presidents of all
steam roads entering Richmond, or
their official representatives to attend
the meeting next Thursday night to
confer as TO general union passenger
station OF the special committee Mr.
Pollock alone seemed welded to the two
station idea. Other members of the
committee had been informed that Mr.
Whites million dollar West End sta
ton had dwindled down to a mere re-
building of EIba on the north side of
Broad Street for $4,000 or $4,000. thus
avoiding the necessity OF having so
many trains cross Broad Street at
grade. and making n makeshift ar
rangement for the next five or ten
years. without the abandonment of any
of the so-called perpetual rights or the
removal of the single track along Broad
and Belvidere Streets. and without con-