Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-28
BOARD COULDN'T ACT
NOT EVEN A QUORUM OF THAT BODY
PRESENT LAST NIGHT.
An Ordinance 90 he Prepared Regulating
the eating OF Of Light Currents
Daring fires--Committees Meet.

The Board OF Aldermen again failed
last night 10 secure a sufficient number
Of members TO act upon the resolution
providing for street Improvements in the
annexed portion Of Lee District Not even
quorum OF members were present. much
less three-fourtns. Mr.. Turpin said he
thought members OF the City Council
ought 10 either attend the meetings or
resign. He then moved to adjourn. Car
ried.
CUTTING OFF ELECTRIC CURRENTS.
There was Joint meeting yesterday
evening OF the subcommittee from the
Council Committee on Light and the
Board OF Fire Commissioners. The ses-
sion was the result OF the injury 20 young
Mr.. Lucy. and the killing OF the police
dog jim by the falling OF the wire on the
occasion OF the Leftwitch fire. and the
object was for the electric-llght people and
the city authorities TO reach an under
standing az 10 the cutting of OF the cleo
tric-light currents during fires The car
currents We're already provided for by
the city ordinances.
Mr.. John II. Frlschkorn, President OF
the Board OF Fire Commissioners, ex-
planned a communication received by that
body from the Richmond Railway ana
Electric Company In which the latter ex-
pressed its desire 10 be instructed as TO
what II should do when ordered to turn
of the light current
Mr.. Trafford. representing the company.
stated that his concern simply wanted
TO be relieved Of the responsibility In
case OF an accident due to such turning
Off He was asked II there was not
way 10y which section OF lights could
be cut on without throwing the entire
city in darkness. His reply was that the
circuits were so arranged that no sec
ton could be turned out without putting
at least one-third OF the city In darkness.
1t had been necessary to wire the town
in this way, SO that In the event OF an
accident all the lamps would not have
to be extinguished In any section.
Mr.. Hardwlcke declared he had rather
have Richmond dark for week than one
Innocent citizen killed by falling wire
Superintendent Thompson, OF the flre-
Alarm Department, suggested that the
electric-light company should be required
TO send a lineman TO each fire, who should
report to the Chief and cut such wires
as II might be found necessary TO be cut
PREPARE AN ORDINANCE.
After a great deal Of discussion Of the
question, Mr.. Hardwickc offered n reso-
luton providing that the CITY Attorney
be requested 10 draw an ordinance NhtI'-
nv the chief OF the Fire Department
would be empowered TO have the electric
current cut off the wires which furnish
the lights to the city during the progress
of "a fire and that the electric company
be saved harmless from any loss OF time
in furnishing light to the city under their
contract by reason Of the lights beihs
cut off.
At the instance Of the Electric Com
many Mr.. Mann moved 10 amend by addlhs
that THE electric-llght company be saved
harmless from damage to persons anu
property by reason Of failure OF these
iiehts 10 burn" The amendment and the
resolution were adopted.
OTHER MEETINGS.
The Committees on Schools and Third
Market were to have held regular busl-
ness sessions yesterday afternoon out
neither secured quorum OF Its mem
bers. ,...o
Al a regular meeting Of the Committee
ON Fire Department last night large
number OF frame building permits were
GRANTED. Several applications for permits
were rejected ..
The Cemeteries Committee met IN regu-
lar session and disposed OF II lot OF rou-
tine business, including the approving OK
the bills.