Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-22
JOHN e.. EASLEY.

In discussion that waxed rather
warm at times o. II. Funston retiring
president OF the Richmond Real Estate
Exchange. at the annual meeting yes
terday. denounced any move on the part
OF the city 10 require an advance de-
post on their bills from purchasers
before they could secure gas, as re-
suit Of the ordinance passed by the
City Council relieving property owners
from liability OF delinquent bills Of
their tenants.
Declaring that he had 1t on good
authority that the agents of the Gas
Department were going around reuuir-
ing deposit from customers OF the
department. who had used gas for
years. and that they could not sccryte
gas until they had made the deposit
Mr.. Funston precipituted warm dis
CuSs ion lie said that IL WAS only "A
move on tn" part OF those who were
not IN favor OF the ordinance to make
it as obnoxious as they could. and that
this move was started just as soon as
the ordinance was enacted
MAKING OLD CUSTOMERS
PIT VI CASH DEPOSIT
The statement caused II stir among
the real estate agents present, and
many were quick to show their dis
approval OF the practice. Mr. Funsten
cited a case In which a woman, who
conducts boarding house on West
franklin street and pays $3.50 per
month rent, and has purchased property
recently valued at $4,000, was re-
CURED to furnish AN advanc. of So. to
secure her bill lie said that this
woman had always been successful i'm
the conduct OF her business and that
this was an inCignity for her TO he
required to furnish an advance deposit
The exchange is OF the opinion that
the requiring of an advance is proper
when thcrf is any doubt as to the
character OF the customer, but does not
think that this should be done where
the customer has been on the books of
the department for years
Speakers following Mr. Funston also
declared that they heartily indorsed
what he had said. and one stated that
~ this case he would be willing TO he
one of ten TO bear the woman's at
torney's fees. and test the legality OF
the action. After The discussion the
matter was referred TO the board OF
managers for further investigation.
JOHN e. EASLEY IS
ELECTED PRESIDENT
The following officers were elected
for the ensuing year: John G. Easley,
Of X. b. Chaffin IL Co, president: II. r.
Pollard. Jr.. first vice presidents; w. T.
Pizzini, second vice president The
board Of managers elected Is as fol-
lows
One-year term: A. l.. Adumson, w.
u. ulinn, Leroy II. Brown, Henry <
iiutzler. II. A. McCurdy and b. NJ.
Jacobs.
Two-year term: O. r. Funston, f.. +
Schmidt. w. u. Redd. II. seldom Taylor.
III. T. RichcsOn. Morton c.. Thalheimcr
After the Adjournment of the annual
meeting the newly elected board met
and elected Il. NJ. Jacobs. treasurer. and
+. NJ Boykin. secretary.
The report Of the retiring president
Funston was received with much an
plause, ms was tho report of the treas
urer and secretary. The exchange has
passed the most satisfactory year since
it was established. and has had a wide
activity. 1T has taken part in the leris-
lative procedure in reference to the
tax laws, assisted I'm securing the Fed
eral Reserve Bank for Richmond and
in working out the recent annexation
plan.
a vote of thanks was extended to
Councilman Edgar Il. English, who in
troduced the ordinance relieving prom
erty owners from liability for deIin-
diIent gas bills in the Council
The question of n new site for the
post-office was referred to the newly
elected board to take such action as 1t
may deem proper.