Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-30
COUNCIL ATTACKS BILL
INTRODUCED IN SENATE
Calls Upon Richmond Representa-
tives to Fight Measure Threaten
ening Water Rights.
WOULD JEoPARDIzE CONTRACT
Bill Would Permit Corporation Com
mission to- Allow Chesapeake and
Ohio TO Sell Its Rights in James
River-Formcr Attempt Thwartcd.

Under n suspension OF tho rules the
Common Council. last night adopted hy
a unanimous vote "A ,oint resolution
calling upon Rlchmonds representa-
tives In the General Assembly to OBJ
pose the passage OF Senate BIZ No. So.
the enactment OF which. II IS feared.
Will imperil the city's water rights I'm
the James River.
The measure in question proposes 10
amend the act relating 10 tho powers
OF the State Corporation Commission. 50
as 10 permit the Chesapeake and ohio
Railway Company to sell such part OF
parts OF It's canal property, water
rights and privileges thereto appur-
tenant AZ to which amy duty or obl!ga-
ton may he imposed 10y tho terms %
the act of February 81. 1879" and to re-
lease the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
! Company from such duties and oblira-
tons. provided the sale he approved
by the commission
The net which the Senate bin pro.
poses to amend requires the State Cor
poration Commission TO enforce the
duties and obligations imposed by the
act OF 1879 40 far as the same are con-
tinuous, among which are the main
tcnancc OF the present water supply az
the docks and OF the canal alou.. the
water, and the faithful observance Of
all water right contracts connected
herewith.
AFFECTS CONTRACT WITH
CHESAPEAKE AND ONO
Among the water contracts which.
according to the Council, are threat
cncd by Senate Bill No 30. are the con-
tracts between the city and the .Iamcs
River and kanawha Company Of March
I a, In h. ,.i, -. o.
cubic feet OF water per second with
me privilege OF using a maximum OF
90 cubic feet per second; and the CON
tract between tho city and the Chcsa-
beake and ohio Railway Company. OF
Npril 3. 1890. whereby Il was agreed
mat the city OF Richmond should havo
the right to use all of the water for
pumping purposes which the railway
company Is legally entitled to. and
which 1t may be possible TO bring down
( IN" canal from Boshcr's Dam when tho
works provided for In this contract
were completed.
~ the last session OF tho General
'Es"mhiy bill was introduced author
IA" me Chesapeake and Ohio to soil
!" "h independent company. said 10 be
! about 10 engage in the manufacture OF
! clc'tfic current it's water rights in the
lanes River. Tho bin was attacked bv
me city OF Richmond as inimical TO It's
interests. IT died In committee without
ever "eaching the calendar
In tie opinion Of The Common Coun-
F., Ell the present bill is not less hostile
! 70 '"c cify's interests than the one
| mat Was stranglod at tho last session
I Both, IL is claimed. arc attempts on the
part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Com
T'any 10 shake OF a burGcnsomc con
; tract and to withdraw from It's per
I retual agreement with the city.
CALLS REPRESENTATIVES,
/ TO OPPOSE
Tho paper. which was introduced last
night by President Peters. and adopted
| by unanimous vote, resolves:
! That the city of Richmond views
with deep concern the proposed icgisla-
tion relieving the Chesapeake and Ohio
| hallway Company from the discharge
! Of the public duties imposed upon It as
| the successor N title by the said act
| OF 1879, under and by means OF which
! II has acquired the properties Of the
James River and Kanawha Company IN
| consideration in part OF the discharge
! OF the said duties liabilities and obliga-
/ tons.
That tho Senators and Delegates
! representing the city of Richmond In
/ the General Assembly OF Virginia, be
and they are hereby requested to OPP
! pose the enactment of this bill or of
any Legislation releasing the Chesa-
Deakc and Ohio Railway Company from
! the performance of the said duties and
| obligations and imposing the sauc
upon any other corporation or person
| who may or may not be and continue
solvent and able to perform and dis
| charge the same"