Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-10
SEVEN PINES LINE MAY
CEASE ALL OPERATION
Its Franchise from Hcnriro County
Expires To-Mnrrow
Morning.
GOVERNMENT MA, OPERATE 1T


Operation mt Present Fares Said to
Bc Improbable. and Present. Own
crs Have Not Applied for Renewal
of franchise.
outleok for uninterrupted service over
NE trolley line 10 Seven Fines was de-
chise Of the Richmond and KappAhan-
mock Hallway Company viii expire to-
morrow after having been in operation
which Joseph L. willard. ambassador
TO Spain. is the principal stakeholder.
Expresses no desire 10 have the fran
ch'sc renewed. however willing the
iicnrico County Board of Supervisors
and tho Richmond City Council may be
10 extend it,
company and the Federal government
some time ago the government may
take oveI the property at SCRAP prices
OF the franchise and operate the lines
il /; chooses TO do SO. President Love.
OF the company. went 10 Washington
yesterday to ascertain just what ac
ton the government will take. Moth.
ing had been heard here from him late
last night. and this was taken 20 mean
that the government will take its own
time in shaping any course 1t intends
TO pursue
In the meantime it is practically
tinued tomorrow midnight unless the
government acts immediately The
period OF SUSPENSION may be for thirty
days, or forever in the event the gov
eminent decides not TO exercise its
option to buy.
PRESENT RATE Of FARES
MAY BE INCREASED
From authoritative sources il was
learned last nsht tha, If the govern
the present rate OF fares will be dis
continued. the line being divided into
two fare zones-one for 5-Tsnt fares
cent zone, IL was said, fully fve-sixths
Of the roads patrons reside or work.
cents and are demonstrates of the city's
ordinance relative to the 12-cents
labor ticket.
In view OF the certainty OF fare in
creaSes in the event the road is OPP
Grated by the government. the sugges-
ton is advanced that il might be we'll
TO offer the company the privilege OF
increasing it's charges an induce
suggestion. however. does not seem TO
meet with the favor of the Councilmcn
that such action would not be approved
by their constituents. 1t appears that
they would rather the government do
any "increasins this is to be done; SO
10 such move would not entangie
them
y l
the government does buy and operate
tho line. the operation. it is understood,
will be for only the war period. When
government activities suspend at Seven
Pines. the line will no longer be use
full a government property. Then.
under the contract. the government
as junk. II is argued, however. that
after the people become accustomed 10
the Increased rate OF fares. private
owners might find II profitable TO op,
continue under the same rate OF
charges.
Not ESSENTIAL TO
NEW MUSTTION PLANT
While the property unquestionably
would be valuable TO the government.
operation OF the rnunition plant at
Seven Pines. Even now practically all
essential transportation is carried on
over the Southern and Chesapeake and
Ohio Railways to Fort Lee and Seven
Pines, and BY the end of this month
arrangements will have been complct-
traffic can pc handled over the South
ern, which is much less crowded by
war traffic than is the Chesapeake and
Ohio.
steam transportation 10 the plant
also has the added advantage Of con-
Meeting directly with the sidings con-
Etructcd on the government reserva-
ton. Trains can be operated from
Richmond directly TO any part of the
plant desired through tho network Of
auxiliary tracks connecting with both
OF the steam lines.
William +. Rhca and Alexander For
ward. Of the state Corporation Com
mission, arc deeply Interested in the
matter. and arc working with the
Councilmen and supervisors in an eff
fort TO evolve some plan through which
the road can continue operation. All
Of these officials met yesterday in the
Offices OF the commission TO review the
situation and to suggest helpful plans.
until Mr.. Love Is heard from. however.
move be made.
ROAD SAID TO HAVE
BEEN RUN At LOSS
The road was built thirty years ago
20 promote the real estate develop
nent at Highland Spr inss. where there
is now "A considcra BILE town, and to
reach the historic battle field OF Seven
pinea. which has been visited by many
strangers from all parts OF the coun-
try. j, being the only battle field near
Richmond nov accessible To visitors
Later the road was electrified and the
various street car consultations be
I ca part OF the system of the N1r-
2in'a Railway and Power Company.
+ When Colonel willard and his as
/ SOCRATES projected the plan Of building
4 The Richmond and I.appahannock River
I Inc several y"ars ago they bought inc
seven Pines line AZ a nucleus. Later
ih"lr survivor adopted another route.
ard the Willard line built and
op"net from Ki-hmond TO the Pa,
munkey River. This road suspended
I operation last year. II was stated at
/ ,hc time Of me sale that the seven
Pines line had never paid operating cX-
| p.nEcs. Figures "crc given yesterday
10 show that the traffic had doubled
ia the pas, year but because OF the
line cannot hc maze profitable at prcs-
cnt !arcg, hOW"S"r many people may