The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-09-06


voirs-Fscts and Figures, &c.
The conference between the councilmen,
engineers, and railroad authorities yes.
terdsy resulted in nothing more than an
adjournment until tomorrow, moved on
behalf OF the city,
Compromise measures having so far failed,
the Injunction Of Judge Christian was issued
Yesterday at 4 O'Clock. Promptly at thai
hour the police force was Withdrawn from
the waste-gste near Hollywood. Some one
OF the party wrote on the gate: "Fort Car.
rlngton evacuated 4 z. NJ. September o,
1881" Mr.. J. n. Hopkins, the officer in
| charge OF the water-power OF the railroad
company, west down there about half past
or O'Clock and lowered the gate, so thai
that portion or the canal stream which bad
been flowing into the city dam was turned
towards the basin.
IILRGED INTERFERENCE WITH GRANTS DAM.
About midday Mr. Hopkins came down
from the Three Mile locks and reported to
General X. Lindsay Walker. division su.
pcrintendeut OF the railroad company, that
three men, who represented that they were
city hands, and had crowbars, &c, bad
gone on TO Grants dam towards the Ches-
ter6eld shore; that he learned from them
that they intended, by removing obstIuc-
| tions, TO enlarge the flow OF water in the
southern river channel. and 10 that extent
iniure the supply for Grants dam. The
Allegheny railroad people were very much
iucensed when they heard this piece OF
news. They did not hesitate to say that
they regarded II ss piece OF bad faith on
the part OF the city OF Richmond, Judge
Christian having CONSIDERABLY given The
city several days to have an amicable un-
derstsnding with the railroad people and
manufacturers.
Mayor Darlington. bearing the report,
veut to Mr.. G. u. Williams, OF counsel for
the railroad conpauy, and said that he
knew nothing Of any interference with
Grants dam; that while be believed Judge
Christians decision was an erroneous one
he would respect II to the uttermost.
THE SITUATION.
A reporter Of this paper visited GrSnts
dam yesterday afternoon with the view OF
ascertaIniDg 10 what extent the dam bad
been injured or lnteriered with. Arrived
at the Three-Mile locks, it was observed
that good progress is being made in the
preparation OF the foundation for the new
steam-pump, and that the work on the new
pump.house is proceeding at painfully
slow spsed. But for the fact that the steam
pump has now been ordered and will be-
fore very long be put up, the prospect Of
an adequate supply OF water for months
and months ahead would be poor indeed.
Under the influence Of recent rains up
the country the river (Mr. Hopkins reporssl
has risen somewhat, aud the water is now
slightly discolored, whereas 1t was before
perfectly Clear
THE WATERWAY.
The railroad authorities have within 8
few months past done a good deal OF work
in the way Of improving Grants dam. But
II Is not true that they have "stOpped all
the leaks" On the contrary, there is one
very great leak-a place where the water
runs under the dam in great stream.
Should they stop this and all other Leaks,
the CITY would not have enough water to
run one pump, for the dam catches nearly
ali the wafer In the river. The little water
that goes sroundit mostly follows the south
eTn shore and falls Into the Belle-lsle dam.
So far as the reporter could see, there had
been no interference with the dam; nor
was there any evidence OF an attempt made
10 steal away the water OF Grants dam by
removing bouIders south OF the dam. South
OF the dam the rocks rise pretty bigh, and
there are only two OF three places where
water finds its way between them. There
are boulders in these places that 1ight be
removed, and by so doing the escape OF
wpter would be facilitsted, but the water
or nearly all OF it-would fall 10 the lot OF
Bele Isle. There were q number OF fisher
men on the dam engaged in the Job OF
catching bass, and they said the workmen
bad been on the dam, as reported by Mr..
HOPKINS, but they could point out no work
that had been done.
Subsequently Mr.. Hopkins was inter
viewed, and It appeared that upon seeing
the men 70 on the dam he questioned them,
and wss told that they meant to enlarge the
southern channel Of the river, aud that
more men OF their force we're coming on
10. Learning this much he thought 1t bis
duty to 20 of and report II, which be
promptly did. Upon his return the men
bad disappeared.
THE RESERVOIRS.
The old reservoir is now full. That is the
result In part ot>~the water hours" (six
out Of twcnty-iour). and in part Of the id-
l.