The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-29
COMPEL. COMPANY TO
ACCEPT CITY GRADE
Committee Says Richmond and Chesa-
peakc Bay Tracks Must Meet
Wishes of Administrators.
FAVOR BRIDGE OVER JAMES
Administrative Board Authorized to
Look Into ACCESSIBILITY of Structure
Between Laurel Street and Cowardin
Avenue.

After hearing from Northside citi-
zens. the assistant city attorney and
counsel for the Richmond and Chesa-
peake Bay Railroad Compan the
Street Committee yesterday evening
passed upon resolution from the Adj
ministrative Board, asking that legal
steps be taken to compel the railroad
company to place its tracks at the
grade adopted by the city at all street
crossings. The resolution was adopt
ed and recommended to Council.
This authorizes the city attorney to
take immediate steps to compel the
company to proceed with the grading.
as requested by the Administrative
Board.
Messrs. f. Lee Roden, Councilman
from Lee Ward, and Ben T. Wilson.
both residents of Ginter Park. urged
the committee to take favorable &C
ton. They declared that the tracks
along Brook Road, as they now stand.
are menace to comfort and health
Great puddles of water are created
by every rain, and persons on one side
of the track have difficulty in getting
TO the other side, because the tracks
in the middIe Of the road, extend some
inches aboce the grade as established
by the city.
Mr.. Roden said the condition would
be better relieved If the tracks were
removed altogether, as the company
does nothing for Richmond
Tracks on Private Land.
Mr.. E. Randolph Williams, repre-
senting the company, stated that the
tracks occupied private territory
land that had been the property Of
the Brook Turnpike Company from
. sv~,1 iv~ay al ,ryI
late Lewis Ginter. and later by the
Richmond and Chesa peake Railroad
Company. at an expenditure of $780,
600. There is no reason why the city
should demand the company to go to
an enormous expense in regarding its
right of way over its own property,
said Mr.. williams. He exhibited pa
pers to prove that Henrico County
had looked upon Brook Turnpike as
private road. and showed that ii
had been barricaded by toll gates for
many years-thus indicating, said Mr..
Williams. that it had been recognized
as being private property.
The company paid the Ginter es-
tate the sum of $4,000 for the right
of way" said Mr.. Williams, and later
secured the whole strip Of land. 100
feet wide, extending a little over three
miles, at a cost of about $50. 900. The
road strips of thirty feet each have
been practically given to the city.
The company pays large tax. 1t
brings people into the city who would
otherwise be inconvenienced. and II
Is operated at loss to the men who
have spent about three-quarters OF a
million dollars in the investment. Not
a cent has been received by the own
ers of the stock. II we are compelled
to make this change, we will have to
borrow the money. This company de-
serves the utmost consideration at
the hands of the city. 1t is inexcus-
able 10 require the company to go
to go to this enormous expense. My
view Is. however. that the city cannot
force the company to do this grading"
After the discussion had closed. the
| committee, on motion Of Mr.. Butler,
recommended to Council the adoption
of the resolution.
Steps will at once be taken by the
city attorneys office, after Council
acts, to compel the road to proceed
| with the work.
In Favor New Bridge.
A number of South Richmond citi-
zens were on hand to urge the passa &c
! or resolution directing the Admins
trative Board to look into the feast
bility and advisability of the construc-
| IiOn DI a DrlQge over James River, al
| or near Laurel Street on the north
| side and Cova rdin Avenue on the
south side.
| II was unnecessary for them to say
anything, however. for the committee
on motion of Mr.. English, recommend
ed the resolution for adoption, and II
was sent on to Council.
| City Engineer Boiling stated that he
had just completed an estimate Of the
cost Of such a structure. which would
go to the Administrative Board today
A resolution, presented by Mr.. Eng.
lish, authorizing the Administrative
Board to proceed with the erection OF
a fence along the dock. was adopted
and recommended to Council for ia
vorable action.
Several resolutions authorizing the
city attorney to acquire land for open.
ing and extension of alleys in various
sections were adopted.
| The committee decided to change Its
meeting time from O'Clock to 6
O'Clock P. M, the second and fourth
Mondays of every month.
| Those present were Sub Chairman
Sullivan. Atkinson, Butler, English and
| Moore