Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-31
CITY MAY REGULATE
J|TNEY BUS OPERATION
Ordinance Committee Called for To-
Morrow Afternoon to Con-
slider New Law.
MAY REQUIRE INDEMNITY BOND
Many Cities Have Already Regulated
New Form OF Passenger Transport
tation, Requiring Specific Routes
and Schedules.

The Committee on Ordinances was
yesterday called to meet in special ses-
sion at o'clock tomorrow afternoon
for the purpose OF considering the or
dinancc prepared by the City Attorney
which proposes to regulate the jitncy
bus traffic In this city. In his opinion
accompanying the daft Of the ordi-
nance, which was submitted to the
board OF Aldermen Friday night. Mr..
Pollard described the situation as ur-
gent. Chairman Gunst, OF the Ordi-
nance committee. yesterday afternoon
issued call for special meeting Of
ms committee to take appropriate ac-
ton
1t Is estimated that there arc in the
city at least nifty automobiles engaged
In the jitncy bus traffic. The owners
or some of these hold membership In
1itncS bus companies. \ large num-
Der, however. arc free lanccrs operating
over route of their own selection or
over no particular route, adapting the
length OF their hauls to the varying
demands OF traffic.
ORDINANCE REQUIRES
INDEMNITY DOND
The ordinance which has been drawn
by tho city Attorney proposes to re-
Quire the owner of n jtney bus or
automobile engaged in carrying pas
sengers mt fiat fare of 10 cents or
less, to execute an indemnity bond OF
$4,000 for n single machine. and $1,000
each for every additional car used by
him In this business. The bond is to
guarantee the payment OF damages 10
persons who may be injured through
| the negligence OF the owner his
chauffeur.
In addition to the bond that he is
required to furnish. the ordinance re-
quircs the owner OF j!tney bus
automobile to pay annual license
tax OF 500 II he operates a single car.
and s25 annually for each addltionl
car. The ordinance requires. further.
that the owner shall operate in his
business safe and convenient vehicles
and Will only employ for that purpose
duly licensed chauffeur
Failure to comply with the provisions
OF the ordinance before engaging in
tho passenger carrying business Is
made punishable by fine OF not more
than $500 and not less than 500 for
each days operation, recoverable be-
fore the Police Justice.
STREET RAILWAY COMPANY
SERIOUSLY AFFECTED
The hearing before the Ordinance
Committee Is expected to attract
large gathering. The jitney bus in
tcrests will be represented. as will also.
in all probability. the Virginia Rail-
way and Power Company. which is
! Immediately concerned because OF the
inFoaus the Jitncys arc making into
Its shorthRul street car traffic.
In recent statement President
Wheelwright, OF tho Virginia Railway
and Power Company, directed atten-
t!on to what he called the piratical
nature OF jitney competition. The
street car company, he pointed out, IS
required By its franchises to make
! heavy tax payments, to aid in paving
and sprinkltnS the streets and to main
tain a certain Roadway throughout the
day, while the jitney assumes not
single ono OF these burdens. but In
vades the most profitable short-ha
districts and takes the cream OF the
transportation business.
In favor OF the Jitney II Is advanced
that It has provided certain degree
OF relief from the rush-hOur incon-
venienco. and has brought rapid transit
| facilities to certain streets and avenues
not traversed by the street cars.
CITY LOSING IN
| TAX on GROSS RECEIPTS
| Chairman Barton II. Grundy. Of the
Finance Committee. in a statement to
the Board OF Aldermen Friday night.
expressed the belief that the city OF
Richmond is losing daily about 500 as
the result of the unregulated Jitney
bus business, In wear and tear on the
streets. and in revenue which would
be returned to the city by the street
car company In the form of tax on
gross receipts from traffic II the COM
pany instead Of the jitney handled the
business.
In taking steps to regulate tho oper-
alton OF jitney buses. Richmond fol-
| lows the lead Of many other cities that
have found It imperative to enact SINH
lar legislation. Among the cities that
have either enacted or have under con-
sideration ordinances regulating this