The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-22

The Board or Public Interests TO In
vestigate the Cos Department
Mr.. Glasgow Wants the
People 20 be Heard.

n caiicu meeting OF Iut Ov"Iu vi htueT-
men was held last night at 1870 O'Clock.
Present. Mr.. L. l.. Bass, president, and the
following members: Messrs. Barksdale,
BurwelI, Cbaflin, Cole, Crump. Dickerson,
Glasgow. Pleasants. Powers, Taylor, Todd.
Wexford. Williams.
The President explained the object OF
the meeting to be the consideration OF the
gas troubles.
The Clerk read communication from
the Common Council. announcing the fact
that they had passed joint resolution APP
pointing a committee TO investigate the
management OF the gas-works.
The Clerk read the preamble and resolu-
tion passed by the Common Council, and
heretofore published which resolution
referred the matter TO d joint committee OF
the Council and citizens known us the
Board OF Public Interest.
Mr.. Williams offered the following rs a
substitute:
Resolved by the city Council (the Com.
me n Council concurrins), That committee
OF fiye--.wo from the Board Of Aldermen
and three from the Common Council-be
appointed to make an immediate and thor
ough examination into the condition OF the
City Gas-Works, including strict eXamina-
ton into its methods OF the manufacture OF
gas. its cost In the holder for the past
eleven months, and the cost of gas in the
holder for the months OF November and
December; also. TO examine into the faclli-
ties now in use for distributing gas to con-
sumers i'm our city, and report upon the
same, with such recommendations as they
may deem best; and that the said commit
tee be, aud are hereby, directed to procure
the services OF an acknowledged gas-en-
gineer as an expert, both theoretically and
practically, who shall have free access to
the works, charts, papers. and persons ne
cessary TO enable him to make n full and
explicit report on the gas operations now
under the control OF the city, with such
recommendation as he may deem neces-
Sary: provided the pay OF the expert shall
not exceed $3.50.
Mr.. Williams complimented the Board
of Public Interest, and said he offered his
resolution out OF no disrespect TO the men,
bers Of the Board. "They know nothing,
nothing about gas, not having been raised
to It," He defied street-corner takers
and the press: he had voted for the present
system, and this hulabaloo didn't
make him tremble. III he was wrong. he
would be the first TO step down and out"
He wanted thorough investigation. but
wanted II to be made by an expert.
Mr. Barksdale said he could not see that
there was but little difference in the two
resolutions, except that Willams's went
20 the holder and the other did not. He
did not think that the public would be sat-
iSfied with an investigation coming entire
" from the public. lie therefore thought,
in Difference to the community. the COun-
cll should go outside the Council. rs in the
case OF the water outcry.
Mr.. Todd advocated the adoption OF the
resolutions as passed by the Common Coun-
ell referring the matter to the Board OF
Public Interests, and thought its reference
to the Board would give general satisiac-
ton.
Mr.. Glasgow advocated the adoption OF
the Common-Co Council resolution. and said
he would offer the following resolutions
after the adoption OF the Common-C Coun-
ell resolution:
ReSOlrcd. That the Board of Public In
terestS be instructed TO report TO the Coun-
ell any amendment or improvement they
may advise in the manufacture and distri-
button Of gas and the management OF the
works generally; and that they inquire
into the cost OF gas not only in the holder,
but also at the burner: and especially to
inquire into and report upon the eXpedi-
ency OF placing The management OF the gas
works under the control Of a board OF citi-
zens to be elected by the City Council, is
has been done in the police department.
Mr.. Williams said. in view OF the addi-
tiona resolutions that Mr.. Glasgow pro-
posed. that he would withdraw his pre-
amble and resolutions.
The Board then concurred in the reSolu-
tiOnS a. adopted by the Common Council
referring the investigation of the subject
TO the Board OF Public Interests and the
president OF the Board Of Aldermen.
The resolutions OF Mr.. Glasgow. as re-
ported above. were then presented by that
gentleman and adopted.
Mr.. Barksdale said as member OF the
Committee on Light he could not serve as
member OF the Board OF Public Inter-
ests. rs the Board had just been charged
with the investigation OF the management
OF the gaS-workS. and rendered his re>igna-
tiOn as member OF the Board OF Public
Interests.
After many expressions OF confidence in
Mr.. Barksdale. and at his own urgent re-
quest. his resignation was accepted. but
with the understanding that he will re-
sumo his place on the Board after the in
vestigatIon.
The President appointed Or. John 5.
Wexford to I'LL the vacancy.
On motion OF Mr.. DickerSon the Board