The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-11-30
CITIZENS STUDYING
RAIL WAY FRANCHISE
THREE ORGANIZATION PROTESTS
AND OTHERS TO MEET
SOON.
HEARING IN JANUARY
RUSH AND DIFFICULT
NATURE or QUESTION CAUSES
THE MATTER TO HE DE-
FERRED TO TIIEs.

Earnest efforts are being made by
the officials Of the Virginia RAILWAY
aud Power Company to supply mem
beFs of the street Committee and city
Council generally with all data con
corning the organization of the com
pany and the subsequent granting OF
franchises hx the citX.-
II Is probable that aii data will be
ready and In the hands of the mem
bers of the committee by the latter
part OF this week.
Nice-President Henry ". Anderson
al the last meeting OF the committee
stated that printers were then busy
on the statements and data, and he
hored to have everything ready with
in ton days or so.
On motion Of Mr.. Jones. 1t was dc
tcrmined 10 take up the question Of
consideration Of the petition of the
company for "A blanket franchise al
the first meeting OF tne committee In
January. TFfs meeting will be held
on January II. At that time spe
cial meeting will be arranged for.
to he held as soon after the regular
meeting as possible.
Reason For D~tmy.
The reason for delaying the dis
cussion until January. az suggested
by Mr.. Pollock. was that 1t would he
difficult to get members Of the com :
mittee. as we'll as interested citi-
zens TO attend meetings during De
cernber. because of the holidays, and
the Christmas spirit.
Al the last meeting OF the commit
tee Mr.. English offered a resolution
inviting representatives OF all organi-
nations interested In the proposed
franchise to be present at the hearings
20 express the views of their organl-
yations. This resolution was objected
to by Messrs Pollock and Fuller. who
stated that they did not think II neces-
sary to stipulate, but that it would be
better to simply invite all citizens in
terested to attend the meetings. This
suggestion was accepted by Mr., Eng
iish and his resolution was so amended.
During the week several largely
attended meetings OF citizens were
held, al which expressions were made
upon the various points OF the pro-
posed charter. The East End Citizens
Association and the East End Progress
siVe Association. both embracing lead
ing citizens Of Church Hill. expires sed
them selves strongly against the re-
moval of tracks now used on Church
Xiii. while the members Of the Iron
workers Union have declared opposi-
tion TO the elimination of school and
working hour tickets.
Other organizations. II is understood
will meet before the council committee
takes up the question. and will have
representatives on hand to offer sug-
/ gestions,
! Want Time For study.
/ While it has been suggested that
the delay In bringing the question &c
the committee is due to the holiday
season, il Is further believed that
another reason ia that counci!tuen wish
to have more and sufficient time IN
| which 10 study the petition and digest
! its various points.
| There are many changes proposed
/ Some point to tho elimination Of exist.
ing routes. others to the extension OF
/ lines and changes in transfer sys-
TENS aud the possible elimination OF
special school snd working hour
| tickets
! The company asks that the mant
| franchises now IN existence be con
dcnsed into one blanket franchise. ant
| IN exchange for this offers to the city
| the various viaducts-First street
! Fifth Street and Marshall street via
duct the latter If the negotiations now
pending for the acquisition of the Rich
imond and Henrico line are successful
and Forest Hill Park, II is estimated
! by the company that this property II
| worth at least one million dollars.
| Many members OF Council have ex
! pressed themselves as not being willing
I to accept these gifts, although willing
! to discuss and consider the PROPOSE
| ton of blanket franchise. IL the city
may derive advantages therefrom.