From the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/17/1914, p. 14, c. 7

WATER RIGHT SALE OPPOSED BY CITY
Senate Committee Refers Question to Subcommittee After Hearing Argument.

Counsel for all affected parties appeared yesterday afternoon before the Senate Committee on General Laws to argue the merits and defects of the bill introduced jointly by Senators Harman, Wendenburg and Watkins, which proposes to give the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company the right to sell its water rights between Bosher’s Dam and the first lock above the ship lock.

The committee heard extended argument and rose after a two-hour hearing without taking action. It referred the bill to a subcommittee composed of Senators Cannon and Mapp, who will make a further investigation and report to the parent committee.

The James River and Kanawha Power Company to which the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company proposes to sell the water rights described, was represented by W. P. DeSaussure. He told the committee that the company is prepared to safeguard the city of Richmond’s water interests as well as the water power rights now enjoyed by the Tredegar Iron Works and the Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works Company.

Would Utilize Power.

Under the present utilization of the water concessions owned by the railway company, said Mr. DeSaussure, about 30,000 horsepower goes to waste. His company, he said, proposed to turn this power to account. The fact that the James River and Kanawha Power Company will have to come to the City Council for the right to dispose of its power in Richmond, he thought, was ample guarantee that the city’s interest will not be jeopardized.

Wyndham R. Meredith, representing the Tredegar Iron Works, and City Attorney H. R. Pollard, joined in opposing the bill. The latter impressed upon the committee the importance of guarding the city’s water supply from all possible embarrassment. Under the present contract between the city and Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company, he said, the railway company has bound itself to preserve the city’s water rights in perpetuity. The ability of the railway company to live up to the terms of its agreement, he said, was beyond question, and the city preferred to hold it accountable rather than a company whose responsibility remains to be proved. The same position was taken by Mr. Meredith for the Tredegar Iron Works which has an agreement with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company assuring it certain water and power rights.

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