The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-18

Continued From First Page)
Interior motives had been ascribed to
the company. With ali this in view. he
took accession to state that the city
need not further consider that part
of the scheme.
so far as that is concerned" said
Mr. Anderson, I'VE withdraw the or
FER. and whatever the CITY does in
reference to the franchise. II need not
consider these conditions"
1t was shown by the counsel for the
company that 100000 year had
been spent is improvements to the
lines, since the present orga MIA ton
had assumed control That more
money was needed now. and that with
the opposition in the shape OF the
titney, the COMPANY found il extreme
~ difficult to secure money
Much Money spent
The Virginia Railway and Power
Company acquired the street railways
light and power properties in Rich
mond at foreclosure sale on Julv |
1909. Since that time. the COMPANY
has expended approximately s2,500. 600
of new capital in the development of
the properties and bringing them M
to state Of efficiency said Mr..
Anderson. which enables the company
to the community.
Il submit that this service Ia un-
surpassed by any similar community
In this country. and at rates lower
than those existing in any similar
community said Anderson,
Owing to the stringency in the
money market caused by the Euro
pean war. the great opposition to the
company, which was overcome BY the
sale ~ the Richmond and Henrico
line. and the difficulty in securing
funds at reasonable rates for improve
ments 10 the plant. the company made
the proposition to Council for a rea-
sonable franchise
Mr. Anderson then made reference
tn the jitney business. which he said
had proved q new form of compet;-
tio", which deprived the company
of much Of its short haul business.
which alone is prof1tabl and which
seriously affects the value of fran
chise to operate street railways in
the streets.
New Franchise Necessary.
In closing his remarks, Mr.. Ander-
son said, In part
ST he time has now arrived when II
is absolutely necessary that the fran
chlse situation in Richmond shall be
placed upon sound basis IL an ade-
quate service Is to be maintained
his matter is so intimately con-
neeted with the convenience as well
as the growth and prosperity of this
community that II Is the earnest de-
sire OF this company that 1t should be
considered and disposed of on the
broaCest ana most equitable basis and
tina its consideration should be freed
from diverting side issues or ccudi-
tons which arise fro ma prejudice
toward the company as a corporation.
1T is the desire OF the company
that the suggestions contained in its
petition should be materially modi-
fed. especially in the following par
ticulars:
Il. That the proposition of this
company to transfer to the City OF
Richmond the Marshall Street viaduct,
the Fifth Street Viaduct. and the Fist
Street Viaduct, and the Forest Hill
Park. upon the conditions set out In
said petition now before the committee,
should be considered as withdrawn and
that this matter be entirely eliminated
from the consideration of this ques-
ton. IL In the future the city should
desire to acquire any or all of these
properties. the company will meet its
wishes on an equitable and just basis.
Until the city does so desire, the mat
ter can be eliminated from further con-
sideration
20. That all other suggestions as
to the form or substance OF the pro-
posed franchise ordinance contained In
said petition, be disregarded by this
committee SO far as Ii may deem de-
sirabie so TO do and that the committee
tax up the question Of formulating a
propet and equitable franchise ordi-
nance to accomplish the object in view
freed from any suggestions contained
either in the petition or the form OF
ordinance submitted Herewith.
| g. To this end ii liz respectfully
suggested that the committee take up
the various important questions TO be
determined upon in an ordinance OF
this character, some Of which ara:
"tal The routes. eF4l streets, te,- be
covered by the railways under the re-
vised plan and on which RAILWAYS are
TO be constructed and maintained
"lb) The matter OF taxation or
compensation for the use of the
streets
"lcl The matter of fares and trans
Gers, which should have serious con-
sideration os the COMMITTEES and is an
essential part OF any such ordinance.
Id Amy either provisions which
| saater iut To- the Substances of he Ing
ance,
Gempany viii BID,
ff such an ordinances can bA
agreed upon which yhix ccsnpany caN
A}ccsps then the eorets VIZ ssn
I l Isl s 81 n q II 81 s D