Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-23
GaS-HOuSe Report Laid on the Table
After Long Discussion.
We MBERs WANT MORE LIGHT.
Many of Them Insist That the Fore
man should he Dismissed IL tho
Dook-keeper Is-Thc Conduit Ordl-
nance RecOnmittcd.


consumed the greater part Of the eve
ming. There were sixteen out of the eigh-
teen members present.
The condult-ordinance was taken up
first. and Captain Pizzlni was granted
the privilege OF the floor. lie stated that
he had been requested by the representa-
tiyes Of the Richmond Railway and Elec-
trio Company to ask the city Council
that the tine for carrying the ordinance
into effect be not decided for one year
from the date. lie thought II would be
unjust to compel the company TO make
these improvements while the present
contracts for the furnishing OF electric
lights are in existence. The cost 10 make
the required change would be from 5000
to 5000 and the privilege granted To
any company would not extend over more
than fifteen months.
Mr. Reeve desired TO know whether any
company had applied for the privilege
of constructing these cOnduits. and
whether the work could be completed
within the prescribed time. In his Opin
ion the four months left FOR the carry
ing out Of this improvement would be
entirely too short.
Mr. Allen chairman OF the Committee
on Streets, stated that no application for
this franchise had rs yet been received.
Mr. Reeve said, under the circum-
stances. he would not vote for the ordi-
nance i'm the present form, and he moved
that the time be extended twelve months
from June -, 1898.
Mr.. Noble was in favor Of the extern
sion Of time, as far as the removal OF
the electric-light wires and poles We're con-
cerned.
on AIr. Goykin's motion the matter was
m
Streets.
THE TAX or POLES
on motion Of Mr.. Reeve the ordinance
which seeks to regulate the joint use Of
telegraph-poles by different companies
was taken from the table. lie offered an
Amendment to correct Il typographical
error, but IL was lost.
Mr. Reeve next asked for Information
| rs TO the amount OF revenue 70 be de-
rived from the tax 10 be paid on tele-
graph-poles. and If this tax would bear
I equally on all parties concerned. None
/ Of the members present Were In position
/ 10 give the desired Information.
/ Mr.. Noble then moved that the ordinance
/ he referred back TO the Committee on
/ Streets for the purpose OF obtaining the
] desired information. and TO give the mem
/ lers an opportunity TO become familiar
with the contents Of the paper copies OF
which had Just been distributed In printed
/ form The motion was lost. but on mo-
/ ton by Mr.. Reeve the matter went over
/ until the next regular meeting OF the
! Board
/ ON Mr. Kings motion the Clerk was
directed 10 request the CITY Engineer ana
. Commissioner OF the Revenue 70 b. pres
mt AT that meeting.
THE GAs-HOUSE MATTER.
]
consideration cf the report Of the gas
house Investigation which was adopted
! by the Common Council last Friday night
( After the PAPER had been read Mr. BLAKE
} stated thai ~ had come prepared 70 stay
all nigh;, II necessary IN order that every
! member might have an opportunity to
! express his views, ask questions. and oh-
J tain desired information. While he hdd
| a high regard for the reports Of commit
/ tees. In this case. where the destiny OF
man was ~ stake ~ WIDtel 10 hlye az
[ the facts made known re. Therefore.
J wished To ask Mr.. II. b. Boudar, the tx
I pert accountant, a Few questions. This
! was agreed 10. and Mt. BOudar stated
! in detan to-. condition Of affairs that h.
] found TO eNst M the gas-works lie was
/ asked numerous questions by Messrs
| Blake, Allen. King, Reeve, Snead, and
I others. and stated that upon a question
I
/ Of the Common Council as 10 the quaiinca-
/ tons Of Mr. Meredith. he felt compelled
/ to say that h. considered Mr.. Meredith
| incompetent to keep the books.
! The report Of the committee 10 the COun-
/ ell In regard 10 the investigation was
/ then read whereupOn the questioning Of
| Mr. Boudar by various members va.
| continued He spoke about the condition
! OF the general and auxiliary books. and
! said that II false entries had been mad
| IN the former Il would not have inter
/ fered with the balancing OF the books
| The general books only comprised the
entries of receipts and disbursements.
MR. MEREDITH EXPLAINS.
on motion Of Mr.. Blake the privilege OF
! the floor was extended to Mr.. J. r. Mere
! dith. the clerk AMI boOk-keepsr, who
explained the manner in which ne had
! kept his books. and how he was guided
/ By instructions received from the tate
| superintendent. He was also asked "a
/ number Of questions by different members
/ in regard to the details Of the manage
| ment Of affairs n the gas-works.
| Superintendent Knowles. the successor
| Of the late ". G.. Adams, was next heard
lie defined the duties Of the foreman
/ which consist in general supervision Of
! he works lie added that when h.
| entered upon his duties as Superintendent
/ he did not find the works In proper con
| iition. lie thought the foreman should
report to the superintendent any irregu-
! ,irities that might occur. and the latter
| report to the Committee on Light.
SHOULD BIZ TREATED ALIKE.
| This ended the questioning OF the city
! officials and then the OratOry OF the
| members Of the Board was let loose. Mr.
| BOykln started the ball rolling. and re-
| ferred TO certain charges which he made
some time ago before that body as 10
| irregularities as 20 the sale OF coke at
| the Lower gas-works. He wondered how
/ such transactions could go on without
| being noticed by the superior officials
Mr.. Meredith had been censured for in
! competency. while the superintendent bod
| lust stated that the foreman was also
! incomuetent. He could not understand
| how the manager Of the department could
allow such things 10 go on without having
| knowledge OF IT, He did not think II
was right 10 turn one man ont and have
I the other one there, who certainly must
| have had Knowledge Of what was going
! on.
| Mr. Mountcastle thought the whole mat
! ter was to be- settled on Mr. Meredith and
/ the charge Of lncOmpetency had been
/ raised. while the whole trouble seemed
| 20 have been the result Of general care
/ lessness. He. for one was not willing 20
/ vote for the discharge of one man, while
| the other one remained In Office.
| Mr. Blake said II was a wel-known
| FACT that Superintendent Adams held the
| neople and especially the City Councils
aimost In the palm OF his hand. This had
| haen shown in the formation OF this very
| Roard and when the late Superintendent
came to the President Of the Board and