The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-28
DECLARE COMPANY
is f00tI|hG CITY
sPE AkERs SAY STREET cAR coM-
pANX WILL NOT Push PITT
TON FoR FRANCHISE.
URGE PAYMENT TAXES
FULTON MASS MEETING AFpLAJ rs
Spec HES BY STEWART. DUKE
AND piCkERsON AT IL
NOR HALL.

Nearly Two ituI1uTcN GbtiHNtAS VI ! ~
ton last night heard three interesting
speeches on municipal ownership Of
public utilities. and from expressi ons
Of opinion and by frequent applause
the audience at Junior Order hal ap-
speared tn be in fun accord with the
sentiment as expressed by the speak
crs
The topic of the three discouses wa'
that of the proposed franchise asked
Of Council By the Virginia Railway
and Power Company, The company
was raIxed fore and Aft. and there waf
very little left, f1guratively speaking
for a street car to run upon
The speakers were Messrs. j. W
Stewart. Jesse e. Duke and James r.
Dick erson. r. 3. Gresnway presided
at the meeting and Welcomed the cit
liens present on behalf OF the Work
lingmen's Protective Association.
Municipal Ownership Better.
Mr.. Stewart dissected the PROPOSE
ton as presented to the City Council
and declared thai the company while
making thousands OF dollars under
the present arraneement. wanted to
curtail public service and make add
tional thousands. He said that cities
in which municipal ownership pre-
vailed were giving better street car
service, and cheaper light and power
rates He, in common with many
others. opposed any change in the
present routing syAtem. He showed
that the company wished to cut out
the Clay Street line in, certain sections
Of Church Hill, and to substitute the
Broad ana Main iiite over the Rich
mond and Henrlco tracks into Full
ton.
There il little chance OF the prop
fry "a I'M Y
Council In this event the propositior
will prove an issue in the next Coun-
cilmanic campaign. 4 great amount
Of money may be expected TO be turn
ed loose in that ca rnpaign SO IL Is
rp to the citizens to see that their
poll taxes are paid. and that the5
become eligi Die in the election. al
which the question may become tbs
main issue. t''S
II want 10 see The people get the
very best service they can under the
present rrangernerts, but ] do moi
want 10 see a curta.ime,st OF the ser
vice / viii Go all can to help the
company whenever it wishes 10 en-.
large IT. service into the annexed or
other suburban territory"
Mi. Duke said regulation could be
/ had from :nI,alicipai ities. but that IL
,,ss been shown that regulation q
possible.
Company "Just Pooling"
THE Virginia Railway and Power
Company 10 Just sooling with yon.'
continued Ny Duke They don't III
! teni forein~ the question 10 an issue
! at this time They don't have to Yet
! But 4 win be an issue later, aud now
IL the time Ia provide for the fu-
tire.
Mr.. Dlckcrson. who is looked apor
: ty the Eastenoers as the father OF
the movement against the cha nee pro-
posea in she franchise matter. was
~ applause when he appeared upor
the p,atform. Ills remarks were aliens
The lines IS presented by the two
: speakers ahead CO him.
/ lie said that |. was a. weN-hnowr
fact that the wsaker agency in any
thing was destroyed ny the stronger
and thst now Was the time for tnt
people to .ortify themselves agains
the corporation which was striving Il
take much from than. He recitst
ths inciden. a the presentation OF the
I petitionr OF the Virginia Railway and
| Power .Eomoany TO Council and in
cident said that there was ilnan
ciai daUker Tor some opponents OF tht
proposed blanket franchise particu
! larry IL those opponents were EN-
plcyes OF the city.
II all OF US " ould see that our pol
taxes are paid, and that then We GO
into line and march throHsh th+
streets OF this city, and show oui
strength. there would be no fear o
thu strong corporations overcoming
the people our strength would b,
| apparent This question may he a,
I issue In future cannpaiSri. Let ever,
one OF YOU prepare himeelr. now.
Would Not Dsrt.
with the s,rensth which we shouit
show. no member OF City Council
would dare present such q petition ant
! ordinance as that now In the hand,
, Of the Street Committee.
sit was presented by q member O.
/ Council who has a son employed BY
the Virginia Railway and Power Com
pany and even when he introduces
II, he apologised By saying II was pre-
scented by request"
At the conclusion OF the meetine
Or. Smith. we'll known character
entertained the audience on tho sub
ject Of taxation and other things
II was stated at the meeting las
night that the Fulton Civic Improve
ment League would be revived ant
that II would take part in the cam
paiens 70 come
COOPER HELD RESPONSIBLE