Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-05-02
MONDAY. MAY ?. 1921.
Placing the Responsibility.

a WRITER in recent issue of Tho
"a Tfmes-Dispatch makes the observation
that without "owi" service on the sub
urban car lines, Richmond's "Own-your-oyn
home" campaign cannot reach its full
hover, and offers the suggestion that mas
much as the street company is asking
LOT new franchise the Tine is appropriate
i 10 remind the city fathers TIA. should
these outlying sections get better night
service. we would be bcing a !Cns way in
relieving housing conditions
Neither the correspondcnt's observation
nor suggestion is new, but both are sound
and have the virtue of forccful presenta-
! ton. For years The Times Di sratch mas
urged more adequate service 10 the sub
urban territories as relief to Richmond
condition. 1t is now more than
eyer firmly convinced that such a service
must be>suDplied if this city is To make even
normal progress. but there should he no
5 disposition on the part of the public TO hold
The street car company responsible for lack
Sof definite action TO that end
S When the street car company obtains its
new franchise, either the one nov before
the City Council, or as it shall lie amended
or rewritten. we have no doubt that an ale
quate service 10 all outlying sections to-
gether with desirable Encouragement aid
extension Of the existing lines will De pTo-
vided. 1t may also be taken for granted
that no objection will be forthcoming from
( the company itself for its disposition is to
supply Richmond with the quantity and
a duality Of service needed and dcma ndrd.
That is simple business proposition
Just now, however. the company's hands
care tied, and it can go. no fdrther until the
Sgity Council acts on its petition Its
r franchise has been before that body for
Il weeks, but the Council shows no inclina-
ton to bring it TO a hearing preliminary
! to final action The franchise as ii has
I been drafted may be what Richmond wants,
/ or it may be wholly undesirable, forcing
r. the drafting of new instrument, hut that
Z. Is neither here nor there. The question is,
When does Council, in simple justice to
the street car company as well as TO the
city itself, purpose TO take action? The
delay is costly to both and apparently un-
necessary.
1t is certain that The street car compan ny
can make no improvements in its service
until the franchise matter is disposed of
one way or the other 1t will be fortunate
IL it can keep going indefinitely inasmuch
as before long its rate of fare following cx-
pration Of the emergency relief granted by
the Council, will return automatically to
SIX tckets LOT quarter, and its present
revenues are insufficient to meet its needs
Why, then, talk Of owl service or any
other improvement in the transportation
situation which means increased expendi-
! lures SO long as the Council procrasti-
4 mates?
President Wheelwright, recently said in
Norfolk, discussing the traction situation in
s5 that city: ut is cheaper To keep us than to
s Kill MS, Similar conditions prevail here,
4 but the Council seems determined on choos-
II ing a middle course and, through delay. per-
Il hitting the company 10 starye to death.