The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-22
NEW MOVE OUTRAGE
SAY REALITY MEN
MEsSHs. FUSsTEN. EAsLEY AND
BRowN SCORE ACTIVITY or
GAS DEPARTMENT.
OFFICERS ARE NAMED
REAL ESTATE EXCHANGE HAS An.
NUAL MEETING ENLIxENED nv
DISCUSSION Of DEMANDS
UPON GAS CONSUMERS.

The annual meeting yesterday Of
the Richmond Real Estate Exchange
was enllycned BY the addresses OF
retiring President o. III. Funston.
Leroy E. Brown and others. who
Charged that since the passage by
council OF the ordinance relieving
property owners OF liability for gas
bills left unpaid by tenants moving,
representatives of the City Gas De-
partment have been calling upon con-
sumers Of gas and demanding that
they deposit in advance sufficient
amount to cover the gas bill of a
month. The exchange referred this
and other matters to the executive
committee and elected officers for
the year. The officers chosen are:
President. John C. Easley: nrst
vice-president, Fl. r. Pollard. Jr.:
second vice president. W. B. Pizxini:
secretary. r. NJ. Boykin: treasurer.
B. NJ Jacobs. The board of man
ayers was cohsen as follows:
One-year term--A. l. Adamson, W.
Hutzler. II. A. McCurdy and 3. NJ.
Jacobs
Two-year term--O. II. Funston. f.
r. Schmidt, w. p. Redd, II. Seldom
Taylor. II. r. Richeson. Morton G.
Thaihimer.
Good Work During Year.
That the exchange has done good
work during tihe year was shown by
the annual address of President Fun
stem. The membership has shown NJ
increase Of ter since 1919, being fifty
now. The larger facilities OF the ex-
change have done much to help the
real estate business in Richnond. The
exchange has exercised a benefcias
influence In legislation. In securing the
federal Reserve Bank and working
out the annexation OF new territory
TO Richmond during the year. In his
address Mr.. Funston urged continued
activity along progressive lines. The
reports of Secretary Boykin and
Treasurer Jacobs were good.
During a talk TO the members Of
the exchange Mr.. Funston stated that
he has Il upon good authority that
CITY Gas Department representatives
are calling upon consumers through
out the city and demanding that they
put up a cash deposit IN their gas
bills. He characterized this as
movement on the part OF those who
had Opposed the recent passage of
the ordnance relieving property own
srs OF liability for tenants unpaid gas
bills, an effort TO make the operation
Should Refuse To Deposit.
He declared that the adoption of
such tactics would turn many minds
from favor toward municipality own
ed gas plant and would put sentiment
in favor of allowing some private con-
Germ to take over and operate the
plant He said that II such pro-
rram 10 to be carried out by the
Gas Department II should exercise the
proper discretion and not make de-
mands upon those who have been
consuming gas and paying their bills
promptly for yeara
Mr.. Easiey and Mr.. Brown spoke
similarly. Both declared that they
heartily endorsed the views OF Mr..
Funston. and declared that where old
patrons Of the gas works had de-
mands 'or cash deposits made upon
them they should refuse 70 pay and
IL gas was cut of as threatened that
suit should be brought.
A resolution OF thanks was voted
Councilman Edgar B. English for in
PRODUCING the ordinance relieving
owners Of gas bill liability.
To the executive committee WAS
referred the matter OF the postoftce
site, which has during che last few
weeks been engaging the attention
of possoffice oficials. business interests
and others.