The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-08
POSTPONE ACTION ON
BELT LINE TO DEC. 70
Street Committee Favor plan of City
Engineers Office to DeprcsS
fscit line Tracks.
TO GIVE RAILROAD HEARING
Alderman pullcr. However, Protested
Against Delay Declaring Many Per-
sons Wish to Build and Must Wait
Citys Decision.

After several hours discussion last
night. the Streets Committee, against
the protest of Alderman Fuller, con-
tinued the consideration of the pro-
position relating 10 the Belt Line cross
ing to the night of December 20, Vt
o'clock
This continuance was had al the re-
quest of Councilman English. VIII" felt
that the railroad people had not re-
ceived due consideration at the hands
OF the committee.
When the question of the Belt Line
crossing came up at the meeting last
night, Commissioner Beck. Of the Ad-
ministrative Board. presented paper
carefully prepared, indicating that the
Belt Line should be require to de-
press its tracks. The report fought
ardently any proposition to run the
tracks above grade.
Everyone agreed with this PROPOSE
ton but the committee felt that in
asmuch as there was no special reason
for a hurry about the plan there
should be no hurry by the committee.
Alderman Fuller, however, felt thn
committee should act at once and
declare that the Richmond. Fred
erickshurg and Potomac Railroad
should begin right now to- place the
Belt Zine below grade.
Mr.. Eppa Hunton stated that the
railroad people would agree to any
thing reasonable, but that Inasmuch as
the Administrative Board wished the
Belt Line be placed below grade. the
company should be given hearing.
Mr.. Fuller made d lengthy and ira
FASHIONED speech. He intimated that
there were people eager to hulid
houses along the route of the streets
proposed TO be extended, If only they
could he guaranteed that the Belt Line
would be either under or OVER ground.
Mr.. Beck, of the Administrative
Board. and representing that bod1
presented his report, and injected sew
erai remarks to bear out the report.
He indicated that he wanted the rail-
road 9oInpsny to place it's tracks under
ground,
The remarks of Mr. Fuller led those
present TO Believe the company was
nghttng the city. There was nothing
which TO base such an inference.
AS a matter of fact" said Mr.. Eng
lsh, why should we take such an
active interest in this matter, when
IT may take years TO get the city with
in touch OF the Belt Line"
Chairman Pollock. stated that while
he believed there should he something
done. he believed the railroad people
bF gwen d ne sdto
this because Commissioner Beck had
handed in a supplementary report on the
condition, and Mr.. Fuller had asked
that the whole matter be taken out of
the hands OF the committee and re-
ferred 10 the Administrative Board and
the city attorney to prepare an ordi-
nance fitting the occasion,
The committee would not agree 20
the suggestion of Mr.. Fuller. and the
matter was laid over to the Goth
Before action was taken, Fuller. in
reply TO Mr. Hunton. who had asked
that a committee from the Chamber
OF Commerce be asked to appear be-
fore the committee. and express thu
feeling of the business men of the
community. said he hoped the Cham
Der of Commerce would not be brought
into the proposition. 1t would ball"
the whole thing up.