Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-07
JUDGE cnMsrnn.s STATEMENT.
What Became of the Repors-He Thought
the water Was Pure.

Judge George J.. Christian, late vice.
president of the Chamber OF Commerce
and now president of that organization,
was approached by the DISPATCH man as
to the present status of the report OF the
Committee on Health of the chamber
which referred to the condition OF the
city water. and wos asked what mad been
done by the chamber in relation TO tnat
matter.
"My recollection Of the matter is this" said
Judge Christian. "Lsst fall whilst the diPhthe-
ma was In Richmond the COMMITTEES on Heaith
o. the Chamber OF Commerce took up Tor con-
sideratton the question OF the health OF the city
generally apd Ia their investigation OF that sub
Iect called 10 their aid the officers OF the cham
Dor, several members OF the Academy OF neni-
cine and surgery, the Board OF Health, ana the
Council Committee ON Health OF the city. Ine
committee ne thus formed divided Itself into
several subcommittee, each OF which su0-com-
mittee was charged with this duty OF inyesti-
eating those matters which II was thought would
reasonably affect the health OF the city. Among
those were tho needs " an abattoir, the condi-
ton Of the slaughter-houses near bacons
Quarter branch, Shockoe creek, the plumbing
OF the city, and the water supply. when thFre
subcommittee made their several reports they
uoro all embraced in general report by the
chairman OF the Committee on Health OF the
chamber to the Board OF Directors OF that body.
BEFORE THE cHANBgR.
when the report, which had concurre1 In,
was land before the Board OF Directors Of the
chamber, seeing that IL Involved n very heavy
expense 70 the city suggested that before act
Ing on II the board ought 20 have before u any
light that could DO AFFORDED by the city hngi-
neer, the Superintendent OF the Water-Works
ths state Chemist, and any others who could
efi0rd any information upon the subjects dts
cus~ed, and at my instance special meeting
was called and the aboye-named officers were
asked TO be present % give us their views on tue
eubiccts under consideration. Al this meeting
Ia fr. nd nan
subject of the water. wore quite fully DISCUSSED
and after patient hearing the Board Of Diroc-
tors Of the chamber adopted 80 much OF the re-
port as referred TO all the other matters en-
breced therein, except that Of the water supply
As TO this matter there was great diversity OF
opinion Ola the part OF those discussing This
branch OF the report, and In consequence OF this
and because tue board was not satisfied by the
evidence and argu ments adduced before u that
the changes suggested by the report ought 10 DO
made, this part Of the report was laid upon the
table for future discussion and considerations
SATISFIED or IT'S PURITY.
"What was your own conclusion in regard 70 the
healthfulness Of tho city water alter hearing the
discussion and evidence above referred TOT
qHeried tho reporter Of the Judge.
"As have stated before" said Judge Chris-
tlan, II concurred In the whole report OF tue
committee al the time II was first considered by
the committee, but after hearing iull discus
sion pro and con- and the evidence addlce1 by
the superintendent Of the Water-Works, the
City Engineer, and the State Chemist ana
others. showing that our water had been tho
roughly tested and pronounced 10 be purer
than that OF any other city In the
country, except, perhaps, the city Of Brook
Ign, and because mono OF the doctors VINO
were asked that question were Wiling TO say that
they had ever known OF any one being made
sick by the use OF our water, my conclusion was
that the water was perfectly healthy and that
IL would be unwise for the city to incur tue
expense recommended by the report, especially
when there was no assurance given at that time
rs 70 what II would cost 10 make the changes
suggested, or II made, that they would AFFECT
materially the healthfuinsse OF the water"
al wish to say In conclusion" continued tho
Judge, that have never investigated the sub
ject Of the water personally and therefore have
no opinion about Il except that formed from the
discussion and evidence edducsd before the
Board OF Directors OF the chamber at the time
above referred to-"