Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-18
Water and Light.

II our city finances were now In as GOOD
condition as they we're before we con-
tracted the City-Hai debt, or as we ex-
pect them TO be In the course OF few
years, we should advocate with all OF our
might an appropriation to establish
municipal electric-light plant. As IT,
We await the report OF the City Council
Committee on Retrenchment and Reform
before we dare even make the assertion
that our present income Is sufficient to
pay the interest on our public debt and
meet the other usual and ordinary cur
rent expenses.
Meanwhile. however, 1.-The water ques-
ton" stares us In the face. Hundreds OF
water-takers residing in elevated localities
here are unable at all hours OF the day to
get such water supply as they pay
for, and the city, in good faith. Is bound
to furnish them. They have been com
planning Of this for years. With them pa
thence has well-nigh ceased TO be virtue
Pretty soon we may expect them to APP
peal to the courts for redress-that Is to
say. II the City Council continues to shut
its ears to their entreaties for justice.
To supply these people with the water
for which they pay will. we fear. require
some more radical reform in our water
supply system than the partial metering
Of the city. The odds are that larger mains
will be necessary In certain localities. lf
So these mains will cost considerable
sum OF money. and the laying OF them
will be matter Of more importance Just
now than is the establishment OF a munich
pal electric-light plant. We should think
that it ought to be possible for Richmond
to continue to make terms for little
while longer with the eIectrlc-light COM
pany that now furnishes her electric
street-lights.
The obvious duty of the City Council
Is to get from its Finance Committee and
Committee on Retrenchment and Reform
statements showing precisely what are our
annual receipts and expenses. This done,
IL should resolve to improve the water
supply by making whatever arrangement
will best effect that reform at the least
cost. Meters will. no doubt. help; but
will they be sufficient? We doubt II they
will be, unless the whole city is metered
simultaneously. However. understand. we
do not undertake TO speak with certainty
on this point. Our information Is not as
exact as we should like IL 10 be. Nor does
it appear that the city Council is much
better informed than we are. The question
is. II 81, 900 are appropriated, as proposed,
TO begin the metering OF the city. will
that sum cause enough saving In the con-
sumption of water to give a full water
supply at all hours TO the people OF those
localities which are now inadequately sup.
piled?
If to this question we can get
a positive Yes" then we shall en-
terrain the hope that the city viii soon
be in condition to establish an electric
light plant. If the answer is mo" or is
equivocal the City Council, in our judg.
ment, should not think Of appropriating
money for municipal electric-light plant
just yet
In good time Richmond will have an
electric-lght plant OF her own. Our city
has succeeded very well indeed with her
water-works plant and her gas-works
plant, and we know Of no reason why
she should not succeed In the manufacture
and sale OF electricity.