Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-19
Power Combany's Revised Plea


THERE will be general concurrence. we be-
lieye, in the statement of the Virginia
Railway and Power Company that its revised
application for blanket franchise clarifies
and simplifies the situation and renders easier
the task Of establishing terms and conditions
on which the company shall do business.
The problem now becomes one of drawing a
franchise ordinance. just to both city and
company, and making wise provision for the
future. That is difficult enough in itself
but il is rid at any rate OF complexities and
cNtraneous considerations that provoked argu-
ment and obscured the matters principally
at issue.
We think. however. that the company is
mistaken in its analysis OF the opposition to
acceptance by the city, on the basis proposed.
Of three OF the companys vaducts and Forest
Hill Park. Opposition. as understood it,
was inspired not much by Discrimination
TO relieve the company OF burdens of opera
ton and maintenance, az by what was gen
orally regarded as fictitious valuations placed
on viaducts and parks. Critics of the
franchise proposition-and we were included
in the number--could not believe these prop
critics were worth TO the city of Richmond
anything like the amounts fixed by the COM
pany AS the city was asked 10 accept park
and viaducts as part payment for a fran
chse. value TO il was obviously the only
value entitled 10 be considered. 1t did not
at all concern Richmond what the value may
have been TO the company or TO some other
corporation or individual
In other words, opposition to this feature
CT the franchise grant born of unwilling
ness TO sell TO the company civic asset OF
enormous value, when able element in
the consideration was the privilege OF main
tanning and operating additional park al
ready open 10 the public, and three extra
bridges
However, this debatable and much debated
feature OF the proposition has been elimn-
ated, and the question resolves itself
into one OF barter and sale. The company
asks the use of the public streets for period
OF thirty years. The question is how much
Richmond should receive for the extension of
this privilege and in what manner payment
should be made
AS We have said many times before this
is question highly difficult and technical
The manner in which the cars should be
routed, the streets which tracks should
be maintained, the safeguards that ought TO
be thrown around the service extensions into
newly developed suburbs, are all problems
that can he solved only by an expert No
committee OF Council is capable OF under
taking the task, without expert assistance
To try IL would be equivalent to the effort
OF some BODY OF fnanciers to build a rail-
road without preliminary investigation by
engineers. traffic men and others skilled in
spcclal aspects or railroad construction and
operation.
There arc in this country firms of traffic
engineers that devote their energies to the
solution OF just such problems as that Rich
mond now faces. One OF these--thc best
and most trustworthy available should he
retained by the city to make careful and
detailed investigation and report That re-
port should cover the whole field present
! and prospective. II should consider the com
panYS investment in the properties affected
I and with fair regard 10 the public interest
The companys financial needs 1t should
map the city for purposes OF surface trans
portation.
All this would cost money, OF course. but
Il would be one OF the best investments the
city could make. II would take time but
although the company has discovered sudden
~ that 1t is in an enormous hurry, that time
could not be more urgently demanded nor
| better spent.