The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-05
RAILROAD WOULD
| SELL B0SHER'S DAM
City's Water Supply and Dock in
Jeopardy, Says City Attor-
ney Pollard.
COUNCIL MAY BE CALLED
Vigorous Steps Will Be Taken to
Combat Senate Bill Affect
ing City's Rights.

Attention OF members of the City
Council has been called by CITY At
torney II. r. Pollard to bill Of far
reaching Importance which may scri-
ously affect the water supply of the
city of Richmond, now pending before
the Senate Committee on General Laws
Chairman Mills has called a meeting
OF the Council Committee on Public
Buildings. Properties and Utilities to
consider the matter. and 1t was stated
last night that a call would be Issued
to-day for n special meeting oc the
Board Of Aldermen to instruct the City
Attorney to protect the c;ty's interests.
Mr.. Pollard has already notified Chair
man GarSett that the city will desire to
be heard OH the BILL and asked that
Its consideration be postponed until
the city authorities can act Mr.. Pol
lard said last night that he regarded
the matter as of very tar-reaching i'm
portance. and If special authority were
necessary, he would ask that both
branches of the City Council be called
at once.
Sale of Bosher's Dun.
The bill In question IS known os
SenateSbill No. 263. and was introduced
by Senator'S Hartman. Wendonburg and
Watkins. 1t is entitled: "a hill to au-
thoriZe the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail-
way Company to make sale and trans
fer to the James River and Kanawha
Power Company. or to such other pur-
chaser as may be approved by The
State Corporation Commission, OF the
canal formerly owned by the James
River and Kanawha Company between
Bosher's Dam and the eastern face OF
4,
the ship lock, including Bosher's Dam
and pond. and so much of its real es-
tate and riparian rights as may be ap-
purtenant to the use thereof
Mr.. Pollard explained last night that
In 1881, when the city began construc-
ton of the New Reservoir and Pump
house. contract was made and enter
ed into with tho Richmond and Ale
Ehany Railroad Company for the con-
sideration of 100000 paid in cash by
the city. by which the railroad, which
had succeeded to the rights and prop
critics Of the old canal company, bound
Itself in perpetulty to furnish to the
city certain specified amount OF
water power at the New Pumphouse,
for the purpose of pumping water to
the Reservoir. To accomplish this, the
railroad agreed to maintain and keep
In order Boshers Dam, about five
miles above the city. and the canal
from that point to the Pumphouse.
Water for City Dock.
Tho railroad also agreed to keep in
order and maintain the low level canal
reaching from the New Pumphouse by
way of the Allegheny Paper Company,
the Tredegar Works and other plants,
which II is under contract to supply
with water power; to the basin at
Ninth Street. to supply power to the
Gallego Mills md others. and finally
TO supply water to the Richmond Dock,
at one time the property of the Will
liam r. Trigg Company. and now the
property of the city. BY special act
of the General Assembly, the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railway Company nc
quired the Richmond and Allegheny
Railroad Company, and 1t was distinct
ly specified as matter OF record, that
IT took over the contract agreement to
furnish water power and maintain tho
canal properties for which the city
had paid the sum Of 100000.
Now 1t is proposed" said Mr.. Pol
lard, ito allow the railroad to sell
Bosher's Dam and the canal prop,<ty
TO some company we never heard of, or
to some other company yet TO be
act OF the General Assembly, is with
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Company.
We know that company is respon-
sible, and we can compel 1t, through
the Corporation Commission, to carry
out Its agreement without further liti-
cation. We do not know what may
be the financial responsibility of some
company yet to be formed. There would
be nothing to prevent such n company
If 1t could not operate the canal prop
erty at profit. from going into a re-
Ownership. and leaving the city with
out drinking water, and the dock alb
nj q dry n mai
round compensation to the railroad
company, which assumed the perpetual
obligation to deliver this power. Now
1t is proposed to shuttle that RESPONSE
billy on some company yet to be
formed, and OF the ability OF which we
know nothing, or failing in that, to
some other company. not railroad,
that the Corporation Commission may
approve"
What Bill Provides.
The bill provides. whereas it is