The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-26
MARTIN INTRODUCES
BILL FOR MONUMENT
RICHMOND HOST
TO NATIONS BIG
RAILROAD MEN
CONTINUED From First Page)


invited them to meet here instead of
In New York or Washington. as is
usually the case. Tile Richmond. Fred
ericksburs and Potomac meeting WAS
held at 1915 and the Washing ton
Southern at 1880 A. Nj. l was glad to
have an opportunity of showing the
visitors over the city and pointing out
to them something of it's progress and
growth. IT would hardly be fair to say
that we were inspecting station sites.
We went to Church Hill and heard th6
custodian of st. Johp's tell about Pat
rick Henry. we took view of tho
city from Chifnborazo Park, went out
Monument Avenue and down Broad
Street. 1t was my desire TO show them
the growth OF Richmond and the out
look for future development here, and
nvailed myself OF the opportunity to
invite to meet them some representa-
tive citizens. II was a happy blending
of social features with - formal meet
ing OF board of railway directors.
The visiting railroad men were greatly
impressed with the growth and cvi-
dences of business enterprise and pros
perity in Richmond"
Working station PI8ns.
Al recent meeting of the Council
Committee on Streets. when the ques-
ton was raised about the removal of
steam railway tracks from West Broad
street President White stated that
within thirty days he hoped to be able
to make definite statement about
plans for new station. From his re-
marks at that time. 1t was inferred that
nc had in mind great city terminal
costing mot less than $1,000. 900. adapted
in location. size aud character of CON
struct'on for the needs of n great rail-
way system for fully nifty years to
come. 1t was suggested at that time
that the new station would be located
on West Broad Street, either at the site
Of the old baseball park or OH the
grounds of the Hermitage Golf Club
which would afford more ample space,
and that by having the through trains
TO the South back out and use the Belt
Line tracks all present tracks in Broad
and Belvidcre Streets could be me-
moved.
Since that meeting the City Attor-
ncy has furnished the Committee on.
Streets with an opinion to the effect
that while the railroad has perpetual
franchise to operate in Broad Street
and the connection company similar
perpetual rights in Bclvidcre Street
the City Council. in the exercise of the
police power, may regulate the man
ner OF construction and OF opera ton
and may, therefore, direct that the
tracks be placed either undetg round or
overhead. recent decision OF the
United States Supreme Court in the
South Bend case is said fully to uphold
this view OF the police power of cities
and gives the Council full control of
the situation
Wants Union Depot.
More recently the Board OF Aldermen
adopted a resolution. offered by AIr
| Disney. providing for appointment OF
special committee to inquire into the
feasibility of union passenger sta
ton for all railroads entering Rich
mond. The Common Council has not
yet acted on this resolution which will
have the effect OF taking the matter
out of the hands Of the Street Commit
tee.
At tho meeting referred TO. MIR
White said that he greatly hoped that
the Council would not urge n down
town union station-that the trend of
growth of the city was westward more
tickets being now sold at IGlba than
AT Byrd street Station--and il there
were TO be union station, he would
greatly prefer that il be erected I'm
line with the future growth of the
city, and at a point where ample area
could be secured and where ADEQUATE
street car transportation, with provis-
ION Tor storage and banking of cars
| could be arranged; together with the
necessary provisions for storing, clean
ing and heating passenger coaches.
iuiimans and dining cars--in fact All
The provisions of a modern and com
piete railroad passenger terminal