Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-18

Cd In this petition the company pro-
posed that. If satisfactory franchise
conditions could he agreed upon. It
would surrender all existing per-
petual rights and transfer to the CITY
It's three steel riaducis and Forest
Hill Fark. upon all of which II val
uation OF 100000 was placed.
COMPANY DISTRESSED At
OPPOSITION ENCOUNTERS
This offer was made. Mr.. Anderson
OF irrita'ior between the public and
the company in the future. and was
made in the belief that It's acceptance
would he OF great advantage to Rich
mond and the people. But, notwith-
standing that the offer was made in
all spirit of fairness, and notwith-
standing that tho suggestions as to
the modification of the existing fran
chlseS were made in the interest of
improved public service. he said the
company was greatly distressed and
surprised TO find that immediate op-
position spranE up in some quarters,
ana that TO the company was attri-
buted an effort to take some advan-
tase OF tho city and the public.
To such a suggestion Attorney An
derson offered Il strong and general
denial. insisting throughout She writ
ten statement ana explanatory refer
ence that the company was trying to
snhscrvc the best interests of the
community and thereby serve itself
The company. he[ said. did not. and
does not now. believe that il would. |
in the exchange OF the viaducts and
other property have unloaded on :he
city undesirable or Improbable prop
critics.
JFrNFN RUS HAS CUT
INTO SiORT-HAIIL TRAFFIC. I,
competition has arisen and has had
to be met Tho arrival or tho iituev |
bus. which operates on the street !
without any sort of assessment has |
said Attorney Anderson. seriously ar.
fcCtod tho COMPANY. and has deprived /
1t OF much OF its short-haul bust |
ness. which, he said. is alone pro,it- |
able.
"As result of these conditions" |
he said. and Of the decision of the |
court II has no" become question |
whether franchise to use the streets |
for street railway purposes. CARRYING |
With II the obligation to render an |
adequate service at low and fixed !
fares ana with the burdens OF taxa |
tion and maintenance which /, i'm
poses is OF any value whatever
whether. indeed, /, is not i serious !
liability instead of an asset and will !
not be financially destructive TO tho |
company which assumes such ohli- |,
cations
Under these conditions. il is obvious !
that the existing views with respect |
I" street railway franchises ana SER |
vice must be revised. and that such |
grants must be considered on an en- !
iircly different basis. II is equally |
"hNIons ihat any such grant must he
50 flexible in its terms that tho com |
rany assuming such obligations may |
be IN position To meet these chang /
Ing and dangerous conditions II II ia |
10 hope I" secure capital to be Invested /
In tn. enterprises"
Because the interests Of the com
inunity and the company are so close
out. II has been found necessary for |
the company 10 modify the suggestions !
contained in Its original petition
especially as regards the offer OF tho
transfer Of certain rights and proper
ties II the city should In tho future
desire 10 acquire these properties ne
said, tho company will meet IL on
just and equitable basis
Such other assistance as tho city may
desire. as in the furnishing OF data and |
IN constructing the principal points In
an ordinance granting the franchise. the
Virginia Railway and Powcr COMPANY.
said Mr.. Anderson, VIII be glad to give
TO This end II was suggested that the
committee take up the question OF
routes to he covered, the matter Of
'hNh'''H VI compensation lof Inc use
Of the streets. the matter of fares and
transfers and any other provisions
which enter into the substance OF the
ordinance. II an ordinance can he
aGreei upon which the company can
accept then, Mr.. Anderson promised
the company will bid Tor tho franchise
and, II its hid ne accepted surrender
all rights. privileges and franchises
which II now possesses and enjoys II
vas urgently requested that the mat
Ter he acted upon without further de-
lay.
Chairman Pollock suggested that the
questions as Ia route. fares and taxa
non be taken up separately. but that
matter was left 10 the future consid-
ration OF the committee. Councilman
English asked that the next meeting
DC deferred uni! the committee on
'icc inv,stIGation is finished. and the
meeting "as adjourned, subject 70 the
cal! OF Chairman Pollock