Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-27
EXPECT FINAL ACTION
ON SK|P-ST0P SYSTEM
Public Generally Is Invited to At
tend Street Committee Meeting
Tonight at 8'o'Clock.
TO REPORT PROPER ORDINANCE
Measure Carrying Into Effect Sug-
gestions OF Fucl Authorities for
Coal Conservation Has Been
Drawn by City Attorney.

Action on the adoption of the pro-
posed universal skiplstop system for
the street car lines of Richmond is
expected to be taken at the regular
meeting OF the Council Committee on
Streets at o'clock tonight. City
Attorney II. r. Pollard will report TO
the committee at this meeting the
proper ordinance carrying into effect
the suggestions OF the United States
Fuel Administration for tho elimina-
ton OF all unnecessary stops by cleo
tric cars as fuel conservation meas
urc.
Ordway Fuller. chairman OF the
Street Committee. declared last night
that the public generally was invited
and urged to attend the meeting of
tho committee tonight. At the two
preceding meetings the skp-stop
measure was set for special order.
the second meeting being called to
give the public an opportunity to be
heard before final action was taken.
At the last meeting of the committee
there was notable absence of citi-
zens. but members declared one more
opportunity would be granted the pub
lie, which is invited to attend the meet
ing tonight.
SAY NEW SYSTEM WOULD
GIVE IMPROVED CAR SERVICE
Indications yesterday were that the
measure would be approved by the
committee and recommended to the
Council for adoption. Experts OF the
fuel administration have pointed out
that the adoption Of the skip-stop sys-
tenn in Richmond would result In n
saving of between 1000 and 5000 tons
OF coal annually. and in addition would
make possible much faster trans
portation system. The running time
between terminals would be materially
reduced. the cars would maintain. it
Is asserted. a more uniform schedule.
and to a certain extent much OF the
congestion now existing at certain
hours OF the day would be reduced
Representatives OF the fuel admins
tration declared the elimination OF
stops In the business section is As
necessary for the successful operation
or the plan as is the reduction Of the
number of stops In residential districts.
1t was also suggested that the stops
be arranged according to distance and
traffic conditions rather than at every
other street corner II II was found
advisable to stop cars in the middle
OF city block because that block was
long or because trafic congestion
would be reduced. this plan should be
followed. they declared. as has been
done in Washington.
PLAN OPERATES ONLY
For DURATION OF WAR
Richmond's ordinance permitting the
Virgin Railway and Power Company
TO operate the skip-stop plan on all
us lines was drawn Dy CITY Attorney
Pollard. with the assistance OF City
Electrician Trafford and City Engineer
Boiling. In event the ordinance is
adopted by tho Council. Clarence Rem
shaw. of the conservation division OF
the United states fuel administration,
will assist Mr.. Boiling and Mr.. TRAIT
ford in fixing stopping points for all
cars
As drawn. the ordinance provides
that the skip-stop system shall be opc-
rated only for the duration OF the war
There Is proviso, however, that per-
mission to operate the system can be
revoked at any time by the City Coun-
ell. should conditions develop so as TO
make the operation of the plan no
longer desirable.
The elimination of unnecessary stops
on the electric lines OF the country is
only one OF the many conservation
movements recently inaugurated by tho
fuel administration as preventive
measure against probable fuel fam
inc this winter. Experts declare that
unless the fuel of the country is con-
served and all unnecessary consuinp-
ton Is reduced. that the United States
VIII face Il more serious situation this
year than it did last year