The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-17
ELECTRICITY MUST GO.
THE STREETS or Richmond TO BE
LIGHTED HEREAFTER BY GAS.
So Decides the Committee on Light-So
Mossy on Bsnd to ray Tor tles'ric
Ligbis AFTER Apr i9'h.

present Messrs. Grimes chairman.
Branch. caskie. Davis. Hardwicke. Starke
and Wallerste-n.
The Chair stated that the meeting had
Been called to take some action in re-
gard to the lighting OF the streets. the
Common Council having failed to concur
in the appropriation made for electric
lights by the Board Of Aldermen.
Mr.. Davis moved to take from the
table the resolution introduced by him
some time ago. which provides that I'm
view Of the financial straits of the city.
and in order to save 5000 annually, the
lighting OF the streets be discontinued
after MAY LIST, and that the Superintend-
ent Of Gas Works be instructed 10 re-
cap the gas lamps. This was agreed to.
and MIR. Hardwicke then offered the fol-
lowing substitute:
Whereas. the Committee on Light has
no money to it's credit to continue the
lighting OF the streets Of the city long
or than the 18th day OF April. 1895;
BE 1t resolved. That the Richmond
Railway and Electric Company be noti-
fed that we will have TO discontinue the
lighting OF the streets by electricity af-
ter that date
Mr.. Caskie explained that he regretted
very much that the Common Council had
failed TO concur in the appropriation made
by the Board OF Aldermen, but under
the circumstances he did not see that
there was anything for the committee
10 do than pass the resolution offered by
Mr.. Hardwicke.
A MUNICIPAL PLANT NEEDED.
Mr.. Davis stated that he was In favor
OF the city owning its electric-light plant.
and that he was certainly In favor of
having the streets lighted by electricity.
However. the Board Of Aldermen had
twice turned down a resolution adopted
by the Common Council looking towards
the establishing of municipal electric
light plant. and the present situation
was the consequence OF such action. II
the city Council would make provision
for the establishing OF a municipal plant.
he would cheorfully vote for renewal
of the contract with the present COM
pany for one. and even two more years.
if necessary. Since the expiration of
the old contract. some twelve or fifteen
months ago, the city had been losing
money at the rate OF $3.50 a month. in
paying the bills incurred Tor electric
lights.
Mr. Wallerstein stated that he was
compelled to vote against Mr.. Hard
wicke's resolution. and also against the
one offered by Mr. Davis, for TWO rea-
sons. He was favorable to the estab-
fishing of a municipal electric-light plant
but he was opposed to having any meas
ure forced through by a scheme. There
was a sentiment I'm existence among the
members Of the Council I'm favor OF es-
tablishing a municipal plant. providing 1t
could be shown that it's ownership would
benefit the city. The resolution before
the committee. however. was merely a
proposition to force sentiment. and he
did not believe that the citizens OF Rich
mond were I'm favor OF a municipal cleo
tric-light plant unless IL was clearly
demonstrated to them that its ownership
would prove OF benefit 20 the city. There
was no contract at present in existence
between the city and the company who
furnished the light, and II the latter
should undertake 10 furnish the electric
light after the appropriation mad become
exhausted. this would be their lookout,
and the city would have nothing to do
with it. lie thought that the resolution
offered by Mr.. Hardwicke was but a
part OF the entire scheme.
DID NOT WANT TO FoBcE ANYTHING.
Mr.. Davis refuted the idea. as IL he
tried to force anything. and in continuing
he said that If the committee allowed
the company to continue furnishing cleo
trio light after the Appropriation had be-
come exhausted they would do something
10 which they had no right. The only
way to stop the contract was by the vote
OF the members Of the committee. and he
could see nothing revolutionary in such
action. He thought he had as much right
to cast his vote to suit himself as other
people.
Colonel Branch was of the opinion
that the city should own its electric plant.
tut as long as it was financially unable
10 do no bnt ~ no off ~ 10
furnish electric light TO its ,tizens at a
reasonable figure. and 1t should not throw
the streets back into darkness. If the
electric light could be obtained for the
sum of S29.5O0. as stated in the PROPOSE
ton submitted by the company, the cost
or it would be cheaper than in any other
city, so far as he knew, and a contract
for that amount should be made. AS
long as the committee had no funds at
their disposal for that purpose. however,
they had no right to tie up the city into
any Indebtedness. and he would. there
fore. vote for Mr.. Hardwic<e's resolu-
ton.
ONLY VAGUE FIGURTs SUBMITTED.
Mr.. Starke stated that he was decidedly
in favor Of having the city own its elec-
ttc-light plant whenOfr II could be
demonstrated that il would benefit the
city TO do so. and that the electric light
could iDe manufactured cheaper by a
municipal plant than IL could be pur-
chased by the city. rhe figures In re-
gard to running expenses of a municipal
plant as submitted TO he committee up
10 this time had been very vague, and
IL had never been shown that they really
came within $4,000 of tie actual cost. AS
TO the cost of constituting an electric
plant the figures submitted had been
more accurate, and tie very money.
that it could be shown 10 him that the
city would save money In manufacturing
its own electric light. re would vote in
favor Of stopping the purchase of light
from a company.
. Mr.. Davis thought theonly way of COM
ing TO definite plan a. to the establish
ing of a municipal plaIt would be when
the Council made an appropriation for
uat purpose, and authorized the Com
mitiee on Light 10 ADVERTISE for bids.
Then propositions would be presented
and an accurate idea as to the cost would
be obtained
The resolution offere, by Mr.. Hard !
wicke was then carried
Mr.. Davis next introduced a resolution
authorizing the superintendent of gas |
works to put in order all gas-lamps i'm the |
streets. and light them as soon as posi- |
bic. This resolution wa. also carried af- |
ter some little discussion.
Superintendent Adams being questioned |
by members Of the Committee. stated !
that ii will cost about 81. 900 to put the |
sas-lamps in order, $500 of which would |
have TO be spent for the purchase OF |
lamp-glass II would require eleven |
lamp-lighters at the ate OF $50 per |
day, each to look after the lamps i'm the |
4 "a Of bo oft