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re ires rerouting, without involving expenses of relocation of tracks. The. abandonment of
<br /> · .make
<br />rai~l service, moreover, will do away with the opening of streets for repairs to tracks,
<br />unnecessary safety zones in the middle of the street and permit all loading and d~isoharging
<br />of passengers to be done at the curb.
<br /> Ye, therefcre,-respectful!y request that you arrange to authorize your Engineer-
<br />ing Department to make a study of this situation, that we may be advised as to what the 0ity
<br />will require in the matter of restoration of streets, following track abandonment, in the event
<br />of the service change, above noted, this being a preliminary step which willhave to be t~ken
<br />in order that the estimated cost of such t rack removal and the street restoration work may be
<br />determined.
<br /> Before committing ourselves to the policy of abandoning rails and operating a
<br />complete bus service, involving heavy exoenditures for new buses and-the wiping out of a large
<br />investment in tracks, cars~ etc., we will have to know the cost to which we will be subject,
<br />incident to the removal of rails and/Or tracks on 0ityrstreets. If itdevelops from a study
<br />of this matter, to be made by ou~ respective engineers~ that this cost is excessive, we shall
<br />be forced to abandon the idea of atl Sue eervice. If mt is found that the-work c~n be done at
<br />a reasonable figure, we ·will submit formally, for the 0ouncit~s consideration, plans looking
<br />to the abandonment of rail service in Portsmouth and the substitution of bus service in lieu
<br />thereof.
<br /> Yours very truly,
<br />
<br />W.F. Fairlamb,
<br />DM trier Manager."
<br />
<br />0ompany, who
<br />
<br />Privilege of the floor was granted Mr. Fairiamb of the Virginia Electric & Power
<br />spoke in reference to his letter.
<br />
<br /> Motien d Mm. Mo6re that a committee of three be appointed to confer with the
<br />Virginia Eteot2ic & Power 0ompany in reference to the bus-ear situation in the ~ity, was
<br />adopted and the Ohairman appointed Messrs. Moore, Oast and-Stewart on said committee.
<br />
<br />- UNFINISHED BUSINEBS--
<br />
<br />The following-letter from the 0ity Attorney was read:
<br />
<br /> "At your last meeting you referred to me a communication from Mr. T.B. Reese,
<br />requesting relief of personal taxes for the year of 1933, which ha~ been assessed against him.
<br />I find, upon examination, that Mr. Reese moved from the 0ity of Portsmouth ~n the spring of
<br />1932.amd.did not return umtil about the first of 1934. He therefore should not have been
<br />charged wi~h the taxes for 1933 and he should be relieved from the sum of $2.65. He has paid
<br />the 1932 taxes since this matter has been pending."
<br />
<br />On motion of Mr.. Fox the recommendation was concurred in.
<br />
<br />- NEW BUSINESS -
<br />
<br /> Privilege of floor was granted representatives of the Railway Employees and Tax-
<br />payers Association, attorneys of bus lines and others who might be interested. Mr. Murray, Mr.
<br />McMurran, representing the Peninsula Bus Oempany; Mr. Kau~man representing Grea~ Eastern Bus
<br />Oompany, spoke against the B~s ordinance which becomes operative Sept.'28th, a~king an exten-
<br />sion or repeal cf same. Mr. Weisman of the Railway Employees & Taxpayers Association asked
<br />that the ordinance be enforced.
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Hutchins to extend the ordinsmce fii~een days and to appoint
<br />committee of three to'confer with the Bus Oompanies to try to work out an agreement With
<br />definite recommendation by the committee for sm additional extension of fifteen days, was
<br />adopted, and by the following vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes: Brooks, Hutchins, Moore, Parrish~ Stewart - 5.
<br />Nays: Fox, Oast - 2.
<br />
<br />The following letter was read:
<br />
<br />"Portsmouth,
<br />
<br />Va., September 2~th, 1934.
<br />
<br />Honorable-Oity 0cuncil,
<br />Portsmouth,~Virginia.
<br />
<br />Gentlemen:
<br /> The Gity Manager, in addition te objecting to a beer license in the Armory, has
<br />instructed me te cease holding dances or basketball games in the building. These acts prevent
<br />my organization from secu~img funds which are necessary for its proper maintenance.
<br /> I hereby request that the Ar~ory b~ilding be turned ~er to me as ranking Nat-
<br />ional Guard officer in the 0ity, to use for military and such other purposes as is proper and
<br />customary in such cases.
<br /> If there may be any details in connection with the above which you may desire,
<br />I will be present at your meeting Tuesday September 25th, 1~3~.
<br />
<br />Arthu~ Emmerson,
<br />Oa~t. ~lllth F.A. Va. N.G.
<br />0omdg. Battery O." '
<br />
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