The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-17

Whereas, The tax payers of our
city through their ballots have en-
powered and instructed certain of our
citizens To sit in the legislative c0un-
ellis and others OF them To attend the
executive functions of our municipal
government. we realize that from time
TO time they are confronted WITH
questions affecting the public good or
SO serious and important a nature, as
to make both desirable and necessary
an expression of the public VIII there
on, If we are TO maintain a peoples
government, therefore, he 1t
Resolved:
That there are two fundamental
principles concerning the introduce
ton. extension or abandonment of en-
terprlses engaged In rendering pablo
servtce each entitled TO the same con-
Germ and consideration; first, the pro-
lection Of the capital invested to the
extent of earning fair and reason
able profit on the amount actually IN
vested: second, protection TO lie ana
limb, and comfort and convenience or
the public.
THAT corporations owning, MAIN
tanning and operating great proper
ties in Richmond, employed in public
service, are vitality Interested In the
governmental principles OF our city,
and II la but fair and right as prop
erty owners and tax payers for them
to be heard in argument or in protest
before the bar Of public opinion on all
matters affecting their interest and
their public relations: II is also fair
and right for the public who hear the
thoughts and Ideas expressed to know
what Interest prompts them,
y 3-That the Virginia Railway and
Power Company has through grant,
purchase or otherwise entrenched It.
self in our midst, gigantic. privately
owned monopoly. operating under Ger
tain rights and privileges of varying
terminating dates which might pos
sibly embarrass or make difficult the
disposal of bonds or stocks, were the
said company A new corporation seek
ing 10 locate or capitalize on the
basis, or valuation. OF the franchise
secured; owing to their capital being
already invested in properties and
securities which we peIreve to nave
an earning capacity for fair ana rea-
sonable profits sufficient to take care
of proper equipments and extensions.
We are unwilling for them to be
granted rights and privileges for an
unreasonable number Of years on
which they may re-capitalize far in
excess Of their needs.
4-That to place a valuation on
pu bic service corporation franchises
beyond the actual legitimate cost "s
securing sucs1 grants to operate over
public streets and highways. that do
not belong to the petitioners acquiring
such privileges, is morally wrong. and
a gross injustice to the holders of
stocks and bonds in such corporations.
,Jts ff.
THAT our children and their
descendants are entitled 10 protection
at our hands, certainly To the extent
OF a reasonable term of grant when
dealing with private monopolies; for
the sole purpose OF monopolizing pro-
ducts or service is to secure a posi-
ton wherein may be demanded or ex-
acted larger profits than could other
wise be obtained were there competi-
ton to contend with.
8--That Ii is mentally impossible 70
fathom the undeveloped genius in the
production of inventions in connection
with street railway and light and
power service. which might possibly
reduce the operating expenses suffi-
cientiy to Justify comparative re-
ductfon in charge of fare for services
rendered. or to anticipate the needs
OF the future concerning these things,
A grant of right and privilege not to
exceed ten years, would be wise, fair
and inst. FOR IL the bond and stock
holders of public service corporations
are unwilling to trust to the intel
ligence, Justice and fairness OF the
people to whom they have rendered a
proper service for ten years to renew
their grant: we are unwilling to risk
the loss of possible unforeseen benefits
for an unreasonabiy long term grant
thus fastening upon ourselves and the
future generation possible burdens.
THAT we deem the existing street
railway routes east OF Eleventh Street
and north Of James River necessary
for the speedy transportation, com
fort and convenience of the public 10
and from their established homes.
places of business and employment
for the reason that a large percentage
OF said establishedplaces were located
on account of their close proximity
to the existing routes, and that the
a abandonment of any part OF the exist
ing rontes will result in the econ omy
of operating expenses to the disad-
vantage OF great expense TO our
merchants now established along the
existing routes, by reason Of having
to meet proposed change in transpor-
tdIion conditions. ana ths patrons OF
the line confronted with delay. in
convenience and discomfort. might
locate elsewhere. leaving vacant
property on Church Hill.
s-That the operation Of the street
car route on Broad Street hills east
Of Eleventh Street. began when life
and limb was entirely dependent upon
4 single brake. and the arm of the
motorman in charge, after nearly
twenty years of service on these hills.
we have the modern hand brake, with
the addition of the air brake and re-
verstble electric appliance. thus giving
three safeguards to life and limb as
against only one In the beginning Of
street railway operation on hills; the
route was deemed safe in the com
mencement by those who invested
their capital and by the representa-
tives OF the public good who granted
the rights and privileges to construct
and operate IL. we. therefore protest
against its abandonment.
S--That the tracks and the road
bed between them on the Broad Street
hills are in dilapidated condition,
battered down joints. split and spread
rails, thus increasing the possibility
OF accidents thereon, and should have
the immediate attention of the proper
authorities to compel prompt recon
struction and the corporation ofYfc.als
responsible for this apparent crimyna