Chap. 255.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 19-f of the charter of the city
of Richmond, in relation to landings, wharves, docks and canals, as the same
may have been heretofore amended. [S B 353]

Approved March 14, 1924.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
nineteen-f of the charter of the city of Richmond as the same may have
been heretofore amended be and the same is hereby amended and re-
enacted so as to read as follows:

Section 19-f. To establish, construct, maintain, keep in order, alter
or repair landings, wharves, docks, canals and streets and approaches
thereto and the lands contiguous or appurtenant thereto, which are now
owned or controlled by the city of Richmond or which may hereafter
be acquired by gift, purchase, condemnation or otherwise for such
purpose; and to that end the city of Richmond is expressly authorized
to acquire by condemnation or otherwise docks, wharves, canals, ap-
proaches thereto or lands to be used in connection therewith and to
control, operate and maintain the same for such purpose, and in con-

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nection therewith may prescribe and collect reasonable charges from
vessels coming to or using the same, or may lease the use of such land-
ings, wharves, docks or canals upon such terms and conditions as to
them may seem proper, and may regulate the use of other wharves and
landings located within the corporate limits or within one mile thereof
and shall have power to prevent or remove obstructions from the harbor
of James river and in and upon landings, wharves, docks or canals and
collect the cost of such removal from the person or persons responsible
therefor; and the said city shall be authorized to close or discontinue the
use of any such wharf, landing, dock or canal now owned or hereafter
acquired by the said city and upon the closing or discontinuance of such
use, the same shall thereupon be forever discharged from any public use
or easement or from any obligations theretofore imposed by reason of
such public use or easement, by statute or otherwise. Provided, that
before the dock or any part thereof conveyed by the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railway Company to the William R. Triggs Company, by deed
dated the first day of June, 1901, in accordance with the provisions of
the act of assembly, approved February 15, 1901, shall be closed or
filled in, the city of Richmond, at its sole cost and expense, shall make
provision for disposing of the water required by said act to be delivered
into said dock and shall at its cost and expense maintain the provision
80 made, and in the event of such abandonment, closing or discontinu-
ance of the use of such landing, wharf, dock or canal the said city shall
have the right to use or dispose of the land upon which the said land-
ing, wharf, dock or canal may be located, together with all lands or
other rights appurtenant thereto, to the same extent as if the said land-
ings, wharves, docks, canals, or lands or right thereto belonging, had
never been charged with any public use or easement. The said city
shall have the power to improve and keep in good, safe and navigable
condition the harbor of James river within the corporate limits and
within one mile thereof, and to that end may acquire by condemnation
or otherwise all lands or interests therein deemed by the council
necessary for such improvement and to hold such land for such purpose
or lease, sell or otherwise dispose of the same for the better improve-
ment, maintenance or use of such harbor. They may also appoint port
wardens for the port of said city, who shall exercise such powers as the
council may give them up to the port warden’s lines, as they may be
established from time to time by the United States government, and fix
their fees and compensation. The city council of said city shall in
addition have and exercise all the powers and be charged with all the
duties imposed upon it by chapter one hundred and forty-five of the
Code of Virginia, nineteen hundred and nineteen, as the same now
exists or as the same may be hereafter amended, which powers it may
delegate to some proper committee of persons to be designated by the
said council.

2. The public interest requiring that this amendment to the charter
of the city of Richmond should be effective as soon as possible, an emer-
gency is declared to exist, and this act shall take effect from its passage.