The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-14

What Experts Elsewhere Think OF i's
Management.

What Experts Elsewhere ihihh OF Nv
Management.
The American Gas Light Journal "A
weekly published in New York. when
II. considered an authority on every thing
connected with the manufacture or sas.
has the following leading editorial IN us
number of August 18th. on the recent
occurrences connected with the Gas
Works of this city.
'The richmond Ve) Common Council
cuts the salary OF the superintendent OF
its Gas-W orks lrcsumirg thai every
one connected with the gas business OF
the country Is aware az the iact thal
the supplying OF gas 10 the city or klch-
mond Va. is carried on under the dl-
rtction OF the municipal authorities, we
need not here say much about the laws
which govern the admins ttation OF lts
affairs However. We might accurately
characterize the chapter and verse OF its
ordinances. or regulations as being VI
the most iucoherDnt and irregular de-
scription. Nor Is this 10 be wondered
over. when one remembers that the rffu-
latiOus are tIIkered with toy every sue
cessive Council. and the newer the new
councilman Ia I'm civic experience why,
the more he knows at the start respecting
the trusts handed over 20 his callow
care. In fact. the wonder would DE
that incoherence and irregularity were
not the rule under the circumstances.
with the understanding OF the case
We may come 10 the point. without furth-
or preface. and so We present the fol-
lowing comment ON the action recently
taken by the Common Council of Rich
mond respecting the salary, TO be paid
until further notice TO the supcrln-
tendcnt Of the municipal gas-works. I'm
stating the case 10 viii De necessary
the reference 10 this unfortunate part OF
the matter Will he as brief as possible-to
refer 90 the chaotic condition ia which
the accounts OF the late Mr.. w g..
Adams. for years the superintendent ana
purchasing agent of the works, were
found following an Investigation subse-
quent TO his demise.
"rhc committee that investigated the
works books reported discrepancy con-
silcrably ga excess of $1,000 and, while
IL is not directly charged that Mr.. Adams
was solely responsible for this. 10 never
theiess stands that the Council directed
the bringing OF "a suit against his estate
for the sum named; nor was any one
else ordered implicated with the estate.
While In life. Mr.. Adams name and fame
were guarantees OF his honor and prObity,
and We shall not believe that smirch
reefs upon his memory until the law
shall say that he was other than an
honest man.
During his tenure OF Office by niggard-
Ii and grudglngly given advances, MS
compensation as manaeing head OF the
Richmond works reached the maximum
OF $40 per annum And We submit that
such a payment for the services rendered
Was entirely inadequate compensation
since the output OF the works in the past
AZ 10000 cubic feet. In private hands
rather under company ownership-this
charge per thousand cubic feet for super
intcntcncc would be considered decidedly
ON the cheap side. especially keep
INK in view the state Of affairs
existing In Richmond. where the
life OF the managing man "a
one OF constant anxiety. because OF the
imperfect condition of the plant he SUI
pcfVises-its impcrfcctions arising from
the unWilllngncss OF the municipality TO
keep even the existing plant in repair
"Rllnd 10 the outcome OF the past
however. the Richmond authorities are
evidently disposed 10 20 from bad to
worse. for az the meeting referred TO the
Council adopted a resolution putting the
superintendcnts salary at $50. TO us
this seems 20 be marking premium on
dishonesty. for it Is an utter impossibillty
for a man holding the position named
10 support himself IN the style that the
necessities Of the place demand on the
etlpcnd named unless the occupant Is
the fortunate pOsSessOr OF other income
on private account. which ne is willing TO
devote 10 public account"