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R. C. P.
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<br />237
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<br />i~oome, it seems to him also proper that the City of Portsmouth should appropriate at least
<br />$625.00 for this purpose, and he so recommends.
<br /> On motion, the recommendation was referred to the Finance Committee'.
<br />
<br /> 5th. Recommendation that the Council adopt definitely the proposition that hereafter the
<br />cost of all sidewalks shall be borne by abutting property owners.
<br /> On motion~ the recommendation was referred to the F~nance Committee.
<br /> 6th. The following communication:
<br /> "Portsmouth, Va., Ma~oh 8, 1921.
<br /> "To the Honorable City Council,
<br /> Portsmouth, Va.
<br />
<br />"Gentlemen:
<br />
<br /> I am in receipt of letter from T. Norman Jones, Gen. Mgr.., Virginia Railway
<br />& Power Co.,in which he points out that their operating expenses in Portsmouth now exceed
<br />their receipts in t?=e ratio of 10t.8~ to 100. In other' words, it teems $101.88 to render ser-
<br />vice for which the Company is receiving only $100. He also s~ates that the earnings of the
<br />Company a~e to date running over 5% under the earnings of last year and steadily decreasing.
<br />
<br /> In view of this, he requests m special meeting of the Council at the earliest possible
<br />d~te for the consideration of:
<br />
<br /> "1.'- The immediate suspension of service on the County Et. line, on which was shown that
<br />~ur losses last year amounted to $9,0~.17, and on the 'Park View & Cemetery line on whiohwas
<br />sheen that our losses last year amounted to $10,547.51; such suspension of service ~o continue
<br />until a new franchise and re-routing is agr~d upon and'm~de operative.
<br />
<br /> "2.- The passing of an ordinance regulating jitneys requiring them to run over regular
<br />nonc'ompet~tive routes, and to operate a full eighteen hour day. To further require the jit-
<br />neys and for hire cars to discontinue the loading of p~ssengers at the foot of High St. and to
<br />operate from Crawford St., as a starting point,~toget~er with 'such other regulations as the
<br />Council sees fit to impose looking to the placing in Portsmouth of the jitneys on a fairly
<br />competitive basis with the Company. It heinE ~a~ed t~me by Mr. Wheelwright, President of
<br />the Company, Mr. Crocker, Attorney,~ and Mr. Jones, that it will be necessary for the Company
<br />to secure immediate relief, owing ~o the financial condition and losses ~ow being sustained
<br />from operatinM in Portsmouth and vicinity. ~
<br />
<br /> "It is recommended that this special session be held.
<br />
<br /> "J. P. Jervey, City Manager."
<br />
<br /> Whereupon, Mr. Brooks moved that the Council designate various evenings to go into
<br />the whole traction affair and allow both the Company and citizens full opportunity ~o express
<br />their wishes.
<br /> Mr. Esleeck moved to amend, that we grmnt the special meeting as requested by .the City
<br />Manager, the President of tko Council to set time for same and the publio to be invited to
<br />appear also.
<br /> Mr..Brooks moved as an amendment to the amendment, that the matter be referred to
<br />the Traction Board for report.
<br /> The amendment to the amendment was lost ~y the following vote:
<br />
<br /> Ayes-- Brooks, Hall,
<br /> Nays-- Esleeek, Smith, Hutchins, Oast, White,
<br />
<br /> Then the amendment by Mr~ Esleeok was adopted, and by the following vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes-- Esleeck, Smith, Hall, Hutohins, Oast, White, 6.
<br />Nays-- Brooks, 1.
<br />
<br />7th. The following communication:
<br />
<br /> "To the Honorable City Council,
<br /> Portsmouth, Va.
<br />
<br />"Portsmouth, Va.,~March 8th, 1921.
<br />
<br /> Gentlemen:
<br /> The original ~ppropri~tion for the coSstruction of the new ~ire engine house
<br />at Lincoln St. and Virginia Ave~ was $10,000. This appropriation mad~ no provision for heating
<br />plant, hose d~rains, concrete roadway or fire alarm system. The heating plant cost $950.00.
<br />The hose drain and the electrical plant, ~ost of installation and freight, will cost SYO0. O0.
<br /> "The contract for the building, including! heating plant, was $10,475. Plans cost $35.00,
<br />$~nges in stairway cost $40.00, concrete roadway and pavement, $396.00, coal bin~ and boxes,
<br />~O. O0; making the total expenditure and liabilities on the building $11,696, or say
<br />An additional appropriation of $1,700. is therefore necessary to complete it. It is recommend-
<br />ed that this appropriation be made from the bond issue.
<br />
<br />"Yours truly,
<br />
<br /> "J. P. Je~vey, City Manager."
<br />
<br /> On m~t~ion, the'~communication was referred to the Finance Committee.
<br />
<br />~th. The following communication, which w4s referred ~o the Finance Committee:
<br />
<br />"Honorable City Oouncil,
<br />
<br />"Portsmouth, Va.,
<br />
<br />Feb. 23rd, 1921.
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