The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-17

LA l. LV Elm llNU, OEI
another, whose sad and untimely fate rem
der unnecessary the meation of his name,
being removed, the committee filled the
three vacancies by employing Messrs.
Wood, Page, and Denegri in their places
(Mr. Pryde being instructed to act as
Inspector temporarily, not only without
adding to the number of employees OF
increasing their pay, but refraining from
making one of them assistant inspector, the
expenses were reduced SIS per month.
They ordered the discharge of three out
of the seven hands entered on the payroll
as
"sERvICE PIPE HANDS,"
leaving the Superintendent to select the
four he thought best to retain; these, with
the two servants at the old and new works,
were discharged because there was no JUS
tification in employing them; two men
were removed from the coal shed because
the Superintendent had been ordered to dis
continue receiving coal, and, therefore, they
were unnecessary; the coal weigher was
discharged because it was the duty of the
agent to attend to this work, and we could
see no reason to justify his release from the
duties for which he was employed. None
of these had any charges against them, nor
did the committee deem it necessary to have
them to make any defence. The discharge
of Messrs. Dean and Bell were ordered for
reasons before mentioned, viz: that they
were unnecessary and expensive appendages
to the works, and the small services which
they rendered could be dispensed with with
out injury to the establishment. The ST.
perintendent having said all that he could
say in favor of retaining them, it was not
necessary to prefer charges and give hear
ings.
IN REGARD TO THE BRICKLAYER,
it was evident that he was not necessary to
the works at all times. Since the introduc.
ton of clay retorts, there is no occasion to
replace or repair a set of them more than
once in eighteen months or two years !;
the services Of a proper workman can be
had at any time that such work is needed,
and we are fully satisfied that all the work
he could be required to do could be OBJ
tanned without costing the city onc-half the
amount of his wages. aaa
2 The carpenter is likewise a supernum-
crary, and his discharge was ordered be-
cause we could find no necessity for his ems
ployment. Ia
AS no other objections were had to these
men it was not deemed necessary to 60
through the formality Of their trial either
by committee or jury.
Mr.. Adams was
DISCHARGED FOR USING THREATEN
ING LANGUAGES TO ONE OF THE COM
MITTEE, rt Fnft5
and was reinstated for the reasons before
mentioned.
The sum total OF the matter is as follows !:
the discharge of fifteen men altogether, and
the replacing Of three others in the inspec-
tors department at a reduction of Sl5 per
month in the expenses of the same, and
peculiarly thus:
ceal men and coal weigher (S) Mt S2.......s6 10
service pipe-men at $2........... 6 90
prickiay er......'............ 70
2 servants at 81 .z5. ...."".......,........ so
2 -In $40 IS
At an average of 800 days per annun IS 926
Mr.. Dean, 1865 day at 4......."............ ,46D
Mr. Bell, at Sfo0 per month.... .......,... 200
Reduction in Inspectors Office, $40 per mo-. $50
Total saving of ."...."".....".......ss, 766
Admitting that the bricklayer will be re-
quired occasionally, and the men in the
coal shed half the time, it might reduce this
amount say 81 900 and still show saving
of 81 200 in round numbers.
The committee are willing to assume
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THEIR ACTS,
and if allowed to carry out the reforms
which they have begun, they pledge them
selves to save the sum above named, and
much more, without lessening the efficiency
of the works.
In this matter we have done what we
know was best for the city; we know that
what has been done if let alone will pro-
duce
GOOD RESULTS;
will save money and put the operations of
the gas works on a sure and economical
basis, and that after the prejudices created
by Misrepresentation have passed away and
our course is properly understood, we will
receive the approval of all of our fellow.
citizens who feel an interest in the welfare
of the city and are capable of understand
ing the merits of the questions involved.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN M. HIGGINS, Chm'r.
| The following communication from the
Mayor was read as part of the report Of
! the committee
| COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR
MAYORS OFFICE, September4, 1872.
ToMe Committee on Light: Gentlemen
| received from your chairman, on the 23c
ultimo, a copy of resolution advising me
| that in your Judgment there was reason t