The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-18
THE RICHMOND CRRMATORY.
The Question Of Its Erection Discussed
Last Evening.
NO QUORUM, Ind NO ACTION TAKEN.
Several Residents and Property Owners Ap-
peared Before tho Committee and
Raised Serious Objections.

| The Health Committee of the City Council
held called meeting last evening in the
! Council Chamber TO consider q petition from
residents and property owners of that section
of the city where the committee had selected
a site for the crematory. The petition. which
was signed by 1856 citizens, sets forth the dis
advantages which would be created to the
property and to the comfort of the residents
near Buchanan street should the furnace for
the cremation of garbage be constructed in
that locality.
Chairman Christian and Messrs Davis and
Grimes Of the committee were present and
the Board Of Health was represented by Dr.
Oppenheimer, the president and DR.. Barri-
son. Mr. W. f. Moss of New York. who has
the contract for the construction of the
crematory and who arrived in the city yes
terday morning also attended the meeting.
Mr.. Moss has erected several crematories ia
other cities where they have been success
fully operated ever since their establishment
After the reading of the minutes the chair
man called for On expression of opinion on
the part of representatives of residents Of
that section OF the city.
PROPERTY OWNERS
Hon. Thomas Burns stated on behalf Of
the petitioners that the value of prop
erty would greatly decrease if the crema-
tory should be erected The residents had
engaged counsel. whom they had expected to
see present, but he was sorry to see that he
was not present.
Nr. Johnston another taxpayer of that sec
ton, also expressed himself opposed to the
scheme.
Mr. Huntley thought that the houses in that
10 lo a hut la ~
the crematory 10 such an extent that they
could not be rented and wOuldhaYe to remain
empty.
Mr.. Lane. who lives in the county. spoke at
some length against the establishment of the
furnace.
Mr.. Davis raised the point Of order that no
resident Of the county had the right 10 inter-
fere with the action Of the City Council The
county authorities would not allow one bar
rel of garbage or refuse to be dumped on
county property. and for this very reason the
city was compelled to erect a crematory.
THE MOST DESIRABLE.
Mr.. w. F. Moss told how the idea had been
started TO construct crenlatOry about two
years ago. He went with the committee 20
select Il site some time ago, and the one on
Buchanan street appeared to him 10 be- the
the most desirable one for the purpose in
talking on the necessity of the construction of
crematory in the city of Richmond. Mr.
Moss called attention to the fact that a city of
$4,000 population had to dispose Of 40 900
to $1,000 carts of garbage per year
which should be destroyed as rapid
ly and cheaply as possible This
could be done only by the means of a fur
mace. The Eagle Company, whom he repre-
eented. had been building these furnaces for
five or six years and about thirty of them
were at present in operation in various cities
of the United States. The furnaces con
structed by his company were able 10 de-
stroy certain number of loads per day in the
most satisfactory manner. He could produce
great many testimonials TO that effect
from the various city governments. and
wherever one of the furnaces had
been in use three or four years, not a single
complaint had been made in regard to its
ofiensiveness. No nuisance could be created
by combustion. because everything objec-
tiOnable was destroyed in the furnace. The
only thing that could escape from the furnace
through the stack was the heated gas. result
ing from the combustion. He felt convinced
that most Of the objection to the crematory
resulted from misrepresentation Of the case.
NO NUISANCE
The company represented by him certainly
had no desire to intllct nuisance upon the
complaining residents. neither did the city
authorities. While the destruction Of the
garbage in the furnace was inofenslve. there
was only one objection 10 be brought in the
proceedings and that was against the col
lection, and that even there he could say that
If the garbage was collected while fresh no
smell would be noticed.
The city authorities were obliged 10 decide
on the erection Of 4 crematOry in one par
ticular place. for the dumping Of garbage was
equal 10 committing q serious sin. This had |
been done too long already. and certain sec
tons of this city were suffering now from the |
He admitted that the garbage
and other matter would have 10 be |
carried through the streets to the |
crematory, but the carts should be i'm |
proved To such an extent as 20 make the |
odorless The committee had |
selected the best plan possible for site of the
crematory. If, however. a change Of the site |
should be desired by the citizens his company |
would acquiesce, although it would be very |
difficult thing 70 find more suitable place.
COMPLAINTS sUBsIDED.
Mr.. Moss referred TO Tampa. Fla, and other |
cities. where the same objections bad been |
raised by citizens as soon rs the erection OF |
was begun with. and proved that |
by the time these establishments went into |
working operations all complaints subsidized
The speaker was interrupted by Mr.. Johns
ION, one of the residents of Buchanan street.
who seriously objected TO the establishment
If the crematory in that part Of the city.
While this discussion WAS going on Mr..
Grimes lett the meeting The committee was,
without quorum and Chairman |
Christian announced the fact that no definite
action could be taken The discussion was
Kept up for some little time longer, but the
meeting finally adjourned.