The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-23
BOARD OF PUBLIC INTEREST
steps Taken to Investigate tie Gas
Department..

est was held last night III the Council
chamber. Present: Mr. J. Il. Ellyson,
president, and Messrs. Clarke, Elicit, and
Pizzini from the Council, Peasants from
the Board OF Aldermen, and from citizens
Messrs. A. II. Courtney, W. II. Palmer,
+. O. Noting. John b. Purcell, and Jo-
seph r. Anderson.
Mr.. Ellyson said the object of the meet
ing was to consider the gas question, and
asked the clerk 10 read the Council resolu-
ton concerning the question, calling a
meeting OF the Council, detailing the rea-
son for meeting, and referring it to the
Board OF Public lnterest-all OF which has
been published. He stated he would be
glad to hear any suggestions as to the
method Of proceeding.
Mr.. Clarke thought that caution ought
to govern the action Of the Board. In re-
ference to the Council resolution, he
thought the first question should be the
employment of the expert mentioned in
the resolutions. Then, he thought, it
would he well for the Board TO visit the
gas-works in company with the expert,
and afterwards they could formulate their
opinions.
Mr.. Elicit concurred in the opinion Of
Mr.. Clarke.
Mr.. Noting said he had obtained his
views from a member OF the Committee on
Light. From what he could learn it
seemed that we needed competent chemist
TO be a check on the Superintendent more
than anything else. He could watch over
the product OF the mills. Every other
mandatory had man of this sort, and
he thought he would be an invaluable Off
hot Nv, I'll -..c
idea was good one. He simply threw out
these suggestions.
General Anderson said the question
divided itself into plans-an expression OF
opinion as to the manner in which the gas
had been manufactured and distributed,
and what plan would be best il change
was contemplated. He thought it best to
employ an expert at cost not to exceed
$3.50 to aid in the investigation, and after
wards make such suggestions as might pre-
sent themselves.
The Chair said that il would be well to
have 4 statement from the Committee on
Ligh,; investigate the fact whether they
had been eXtravagant in the manufacture
Of gas or not; hear the character OF the gas
discussed-whether deleterious or not, and
he therefore made this suggestion.
General Anderson said 1--WE had bet
ter hear from the expert first"
Colonel Purcell wanted stenographer
to take down what was said when they
came to an examination OF the committee.
The question had assumed an acrimonious
character. He asked il the $3.50 appro-
priated would cover this expense.
The Chair said not, but that the Council
would appropriate $4,000, ii necessary.
MIR. Clarke agreed both with the Chair
and Mr.. Purcell. First get the expert and
stenographer, and while waiting for the
expert the business members OF the Board
could examine the books, &C.. OF the de.
partment, and afterwards hear the experts
statement.
General Anderson favored the employ
ment of the Stenographer and expert.
Mr.. Courtney said there must be great
fault existing somewhere, or else the matter
would never have been referred TO this
Board He did not give entire credence to
reports about gas irregularities, nor was he
deferred by the high character Of the mana
gers Of the gas-works from making an in
vestigatiOn Of their operations. The
Board should first visit the gas-wOrks, and,
with the aid OF the information
ElNtH Nv lHt EdS-h vi NJ ihdhdS'iN :,
they would be better able to un-
derstand the terms used in explanation
Of everything connected with the works.
He wanted the Board TO visit (say to-day
the gas-works, accompanied by a stenO-
grapher to perpetuate the testimony heard.
Then the expert should follow, and the
Board could be better prepared 10 90 to
the bottom of the facts in the case. The
expert, il he heard the testimony OF the
eas-managers, might be infuenced-nOt
improperly, but naturally.
General Anderson thought it would he
best to employ an expert to aid in the in-
yestigatiOn OF everything connected with
the gas management.
Mr.. Clarke moved TO employ an expert.
and this was agreed 10.
Mr.. Courtney moved that the Board pro-
ceed to the gas-works at II O'Clock for the
purpose OF examining its condition.
Agreed to.
On motion of Colonel Pun cell, the pres
ident was authorized to arrange for the
employment OF stenOgrapber.
On motion Of Mr.. Peasants, the Superin-
tendent OF the Gas Works was requested to
prepare at once chart Of all portions OF
the city now supplied with city gas, show
ing the location and size OF all service and
main.pipes, and as nearly as may be the
quality OF the gas required to pass through
these mains in supplying the street-lamps
and consumers.
Adjourned.