Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-02
.FAVORs NEW FRANCHISE
FOR STREET CAR LINES
Councilman Mills Says Time Has
Come to Call In Exist
Ing Grants.
CONDITIONS UNSATISFACTORY
Company Now Working Under Sew
eral Conflicting Franchises, Grant
ed in Past Years to Competing
Companies.

That negotiations will be opened be-
tween the city Of Richmond and the
Virginia Railway and Power Company
looking to the granting of a blanket
franchise to the traction company for
all OF its trolley lines in lieu of tho
many short-term rights now owned by
the company, was forecast last night
on the floor Of the Common Council,
when Councilman Morgan r, Mills, Of
Jefferson Ward. declared that it was
time some satisfactory working basis
between the company and the city was
reached.
The Council had before 1t for con-
sideration the petition Of the traction
company. which was recommended for
adoption by the Committee on Streets
because the paper was sanctioned by
the City Attorney. granting ninety
day extension of time for the surren-
der of certain franchises owned by
the company under the terms Of the
rerouting ordinance. approved May 81
An extension OF time had been sought
by the company after the City Attor-
ney had reached the conclusion that
stockholders Of the Virginia Railway
and Power Company should approve
the surrendering OF the franchises.
Counsel for the traction company ex-
planned in committee that special
meeting Of the shareholders was not
practicable, but that the annual meet
ing would be held November II, when
the matter would be app, oved.
TIME TO ARRIVE AT
EQUITABLE WORKING BASIS
Mr.. Mills said that II was time the
city and the company arrived at some
equitable working basis, and believed
that a general franchise covering all
the company's lines would be prefer
able to both the city and tho company
instead of the many rights 1t now has.
and which expire at different times.
He would not oppose the pending pe-
tition. he said. but had given the mat
ter serious consideration. ard believed
that the interests of the city would be
better safeguarded by general fran
chise.
He said that he had been considering
offering a resolution providing for a
conference between officers OF the Vir-
sinia Railway and Power Company.
In consideration for certain concessions.
the most important Of which would be
the discontinuance of charging tolls
over the several viaducts owned by the
company, the city would grant It a
blanket franchise. Mr.. Mills said he
had not decided in just what way the
negotiations would be opened, but that
some step would probably be taken in
the next few days, probably at the
meeting OF the Board of Aldermen one
week from to-day.
COMPANY PROPOSED STEP
TWO YEARS AGO
Two years ago the Virginia Rail-
way and Power Company sought a
thirty-year blanket franchise from tho
city. in return for which 1t offered GER
tain inducements. The company as
serted that it was impossible for II to
finance the electric lines operation un-
less Its franchises were for a length of
time. The matter hung fire for months
before the Council Committee on
Streets, and was unfavorably received.
Finding considerable opposition to
the franchise ordinance. the company
made no EFFORT to secure its passage,
and months later II died when the pre-
ceding Committee on Streets ceased to
exist. Since that time no move in that
direction has been made. In certain
circles 1t was believed last night that
the company would welcome negotia-