Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-24
F|VE-CENT FARE
AND FREE BRIDGES
Committee on Streets Reports
Ordinance Giving Relief to
Street Car Company
LABOR TICKETS THREE FOR 10
School Tickets Are Retained at
Present Rate, as Are Uni
versal Transfers.

Carrying with 1t an increase in reve-
nue. for the Virginia Railway and Pow
er Company Of 3lSs.532. the Council
Committee on Streets last night rec
commended to Council for adoption the
substitute ordinance Of Alderman ord
way Pulled, of Clay Ward. as amended
by Alderman Joseph L. Powers. of Mad
ison. providing for straight scent
fare on the railway lines OF the city,
the labor tickets at three for 10
cents to be good till o'clock in the
morning instead of Z, and the reten-
ton Of the two and one-half cent
school tickets and universal transfer
privilege. The measure as approved
also includes the provision that the
First. Fifth and Marshall Street Via
ducts shall be thrown open TO both
pedestrians and rehicular traffic ex-
cept such AZ is operated IN competition
with the street railway.
The city In turn agrees TO remit
the tax on the excess in gross earnings
accruing to the company from the in
crease In revenue. from the time that
the increase shall become effective.
The contract is TO hold good from the
date OF ratification until one year fol-
loving The close OF the present war.
FiADUCTS WILL DE FREE
TO ALL ESNCEir JTTSEYs
Although IL had been stated by rail-
way officials at previous meeting
that II was impossible for the COM
pany TO promise that the viaducts
shown be thrown opon to public use.
as the company owned a controlling
interest in but one OF those affected.
Mr.. Puller stated that in a conference
.t.t = a.
Sitterdins. presiden, and vice president
OF the Virginia Railway and power
Company, he had been assured by these
officials that such proposition would
be acceptable to the other stockhold
ers OF the viaducts. provided they were
assured thtir income on the money in
vested. and that the railway officials
would agree to take care Of this mat
ter. provided the increase in fare were
approved.
AS originally introduced by Mr. Pull
le-. the ordinance provides FOR the gale
OF labor tickets at the rate Of six
for quarter, but this proposal met
with considerable opposition on the
part OF several members Of the COM
mittee. Joseph E. Powers and Edgar
Is. English voiced the main argument
for the opposition. holding that the
company would be granted sufficient
income from the increase TO a straight
scent fare. but as II was shown that
as under the present conditions the
railway corporation was facing de-
felt in net earnings amounting to S233-
e77o5 for the year 1918. Mr.. Powers
agreed to compromise II the measure
were amended fixing the rate for labor
tickets at three for 10 cents.
n,-Yy,,n pnySrS nJ-r
NEED FOR ACTION
Mr. English. however, would hear OF
no compromise. and demanded that
substitute ordinance introduced by him.
retaining the 2l-2 Gene razor ticket be
forwarded to the officials of the COM
pany, with the request that they sub
nit Il statement showing what the net
returns would be under his scheme.
Marx Gunst and Ordway Fuller were
vigorous In their denunciation OF such
rrtcedure. stating that the matter had
heen delayed long enough already. and
that even under the present conditions
the railway corporation would be un-
able to continue operation at the high
est point of efficiency.
The paramount issue at this time.
think" said Mr.. Fuller. lis the main
tenance in this city of efficient trolley
Virginia Railway and Power Company
has given the citizens OF Richmond
brand Of service that ! believe is un-
surpassed In any city in the United
states Both the President OF the
United states and Secretary OF the
Treasury McAdoo have pointed out that
the maintenance Of efficient transporta-
tion Is one of the most important fac
tors in winning the war.
I'm the case OF all other large in
dustries, raise in the rate to the con-
sumer has been necessary to offset the
increase In wages and the cost of oper-
alton. and the fact that this petitioner
is n corporation. bound hand and foot
by franchise. Is no reason that the
petition should be denied. il It Is shown
that 1t Is impossible to continue eni-
cient operation of it's lines under exist
ing conditions. No one will deny that
..c increase In wages alone during the
past year has been enormous. and that
the cost of material has greatly in
creased. but let us also take into con-
siGeration the vast loss through depre-
c:ation OF stock, owing to the neces-
oiiy of manning the cars with green
men,"
FINAL VOTE STANDS
TO FOR ADOPTION
Wien finally a roll call was taken
or the measure, as amended by Mr.
Powcr.. those voting In favor Of Its
recommendation were Messrs. Butler
Gunst. Nielsen. Powers and Puller
Those voting nay were Messrs. Eng
lssh. Sullivan. Atkinson and Moore.
Upon motion Of Mr.. Nielsen 1t was
then agreed by unanimous vote that a
copy of the ordinance as approved
should be forwarded to the officials of
the Virginia. Railway and Power Com
pany, with the request that before the
next meeting Of Council all members
Of both bodies be furnished with
copy of the measure. showing exactly
what the increases in revenue would
amount to. as we'll as copy OF the
statement furnished the committee
showing tho gross revenues. operating