The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-23

Nacfarland chairman, Scott. Smith, Harvey,
Lee. Maury, Crutchfeld, Mason, Ciopton,
Tinsey, Saunders, Epps, and Taylor.
Gas.
Mr.. Scott. from the Committee on Light,
made the sixteenth annual report on the sub
iect OF the city gas works. The report says
The pecuuiary condition OF the works Is n
source of congratulation, but the committee
regret 10 add tnat never since this organiZa-
ton have complaints been 50 numerous and so
serious The chief cause of complaint arises
from excessive gas bills, and while each com
plant, when brought TO the attention of the
committee, has been anXiously investigated,
vet they have been unable in a large majority
OF cases TO afford relief, and can only account
for the size of the bills upon the hypothesis
that the gas has been consumed. The meter
regula ties the flow of gas, and if the meter Is
in good order, and properly taken, there can bc
no mistake. The officers of the works have
invariably been instructed 10 examine every
meter complained of, and if found deficient 10
replace il with another; and quite recently the
Superintendent has been directed To have
every meter in the city thoroughly examined,
and this examination 10 be made by IN officer
who has nothing to do with taking the quar-
terlv state of the meters. As not n farthing
passes through the hands OF the Inspector or
his assistants, it is impossible 10 conceive Il
motive which would prompt them to tamper
with the meters. The truth il. gas is great
luxury : and IL is SO convenient that great
many persons indulge in a " flood OF light,
regardless of the fact that little attention 10
their meters and burners would afford them
IN ample supply, and the bills would not be
so large. While this remark applies 10 n great
many cases that have been submitted 10 the
committee, there are others 10 whom II does
not apply and they can only frankly confess
their inability to fathom the difficulty, and
must content themselves with expressing their
dctcrmi inaton to correct any and all abuses
they may discover. BY reference 10 the re-
port of the Superintendent it will BE- seen that
for the fiscal year ending Jist January 1901,
the receipts were
From gas and other credits. s169, lo4 80
Current expenses. observation-disclosures. l3j,o1' o'
3j,5ii -
S,reet lomps ...............,.,,, $4,000 81
Observation-Disclosures. 6j,G3j %
Interest on cost of works up To Slst
January, 1906, at six per cent....... 23,2oi ol
1870 80
Construction account for 1s6G........ l5,2s2 81
Balance in favor of works 3lst Janu- 80
airy, l>o1........ ................'.'.''' -''''' -
The Superintendent makes the balance I'll,
oil. -, but hc only adds the average interest
on the amount expended IN l>t0 ior lhe con
struction account, TO which the committee, III
order to show the actual amount received ana
expended during the year, add the principal
viz, Slj,2s2.ST.
Another subject has given the committee a
good deal of concern From n statement made
by the Auditor, he has returned TO the 'ltN
Collector delinquent tax bills amounting To
go 527. %. If this statement is correct, the
Council will see that the works VIII be emil
tied to another large credit. These blliS VIII
either he collected or a large reduction III the
number of consumers Will be- the consequence.
But this statement cannot be correct, for there
is not a corresponding diminutlon IN the guam
tity of gas consumed; in fact, the number OF
consumers has increased. lhe accounts Win
the gas works on the Auditors books have
been so kept that the committee must aEain
confess their inability to uuraNel 1t. 1t Is pro-
per 10 say that the present Auditor mas pur-
sued the plan he found existing when he took
charge of the office. The attention OF the
Council is directed TO the large amount OF gas
consumed in the City Hall and the aims house,
with the hope that more economy VIII be eN-
ercised by the committees having charge OF
these buildings. The superintendent again
urges the committee to erect another holder,
and TO make other Improvements regarded by
him as essential but the committee would
suggest to the Council that il is the best policy
TO take all possible care OF the works as they
are, without spending another dollar untll the
finances OF the city are in more promising
condition JAMES a. SCorr, Chairman.
The report was accompanied by the usual
annual reports OF the Superintendent ana
other officers
Mr.. smith moved the printing Of the report
and accompanying documents WHICH lio1ioh
was carried.
Mr. Saunders offered resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Light 10 report TO the
next regular meeting of the Council what -
the cost of manufacturing gas at present,
the quantity consumed in the street lamps.
what quantity in the buildings belonging 10
the city, and what quantity by private con-
sumers. and report on the eNp"dlenry of re-
ducing the price of gas 10 the cost OF manu-
featuring IL.
Mr. Macfarland ofered~the following addi-
ton To the resolution: " ResDir,d, That the
Committee on Gas report such resolution or
regulations as viii serve 10 correct or prevent
the waste Of gas noticed III the report of the
committee
The resolutions were then adopted.
C.uasiny The cuy.
On motion of Mr.. saunders, tn" Chamber
lam was Instructed 10 publish IN TWO or more
daily papers OF the city, one week before the
REGULAR meeting Of the Council III May next,
notice that the Council Will proceed ON that