Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-16
Full Text Of The Report Made by tho
Subcommittee.
THE METERS ARE RELIABLE.
when In Order They Only Register
What Is Csed-Dclinquent Bills
CuncclIed-Dusiness Before the
street Committee.

gether with one from the superintendent
and inspectors. |
will be forwarded to the Board OF Alder |
men at its next meeting.
The paper is as follows:
RICHMOND, VA, March Il. 1895.
TO the Chairman and Members OF the
Committee on Light:
Gentlemen,-Your subcommittee, 10
whom was referred all complaints in re-
gard to excessively-large gas-bills, beg
leave 10 submit the following report
The committee met in Room 5. City
Hall. Monday evening. March IL, 1895, at
6 o'clock. Although II had been an
nounced in the newspapers that the meet
ing would be held and all complainants
were invited to attend. only five citizens
appeared to make complaints about their
gas-bllls. These and other complaints re-
ferred to your committee, were disposed
OF as follows:
Mr.. W. Trexler. living az 90 south Pine
street. complained OF his bill for Febru-
airy having been changed by the deputy
Inspector while delivering 1t. We learned
from the meter-reader that he discovered
while delivering the bills that he had
placed the statement of Mr.. TreXlers
meter III tue DiOCh lnlenleO TOT MS DtAt-
door neighbor. and vice versa. He re-
ported the fact at the office of the In
spector of Gas, and the proper changes
had been made on the books kept by
the Inspector and the hill-clerk. This was
satisfactorily explained TO Mr.. Trexler.
THE HEINDL CASE.
Mr.. Joseph Hendl. representing Asa
Sydner e Co. zoos east Cary street. com
- on
1898, amounting to $3.50. The Inspector
said he had the meter tested. and found
It to he correct. He also discovered that
this company had been working at night,
and using a gas-stove. Your committee
would not feel justified in recommending
any reduction in this bill.
Mr.. A. +. Hulcher. llf west Broad
street, complained OF his bill presented
February 2, 1895 amounting to $50. which
exceeded his January bill by $40. The
meter-reader stated that he read Mr..
Hulchers meter for his January bill three
days earlier than usual, which threw
three days OF his January consumption in
his February bill. and which included all
OF the holidays. This was satisfactory
explanation'of the increase to your COM
mttee
Mr. A. Fontanesl. 30 north Seventeenth
street. complained Of his bill for two
months. presented February II. 1885
amounting to sll.50 which was largely In
excess of his other bills. This was ex-
planned by the meter-reader. who said
that Mr.. Fontanesi had been using
gas-stove for the past two months.
Messrs. Nordi G; Castevicchi. l3j north
Seventeenth street, complained OF their
bill presented January 10. 1885, amount
ing TO 5000, which was an increase or
$50 over their bill for the same period
last year. The meter-reader stated that
this meter was in good condition. and
that the firm was consuming more gas
than last year.
THE INCREASE ONLY NATURAL.
Mr.. Samuel REGISTER. No. ll6
Park avenue. presented his bills
for the past five months. which,
he thought showed an excessive increase.
his bill delivered February 2, 1895. amount
ing to $3.50. In the opinion OF your com
mittee the increase was only natural,
considering the bad weather We have
experienced this winter.
Mr.. Henry Heller, 100 west Broad street,
complained Of his bill presented Febru-
airy 2 1895. amounting to $l5. The In
spectOr said he investigated this COM
plaint and found Mr.. Hellers meter 10 be
in perfect order. and also discovered that
as lot Of women over Mr.. Heller's place
Of business were using the gas. The bill
included the gas consumed during the
holidays. The explanation OF the In
spector was satisfactory TO your commit
tee.
Mr.. T.. Hanff. 40l east Clay street. asked
for a reduction I'm his bill presented Feb
ruary 20. 1895, amounting to 5000. being
sl6.60 in excess of his bill for the pre-
vious month. The Inspector states that
Mr.. Hanff's meter was tested and found
10 be correct. He discovered that Mr..
Hanff was using two gas-stoves. which
would consume about 35 feet per hour.
With these facts before US we see no
reason why the bill should be reduced.
EXAMINATIONS OF METERS.
Your committee deem 1t inadviss BILE and
unjust to the city TO reduce any gas bill
unless IL Is clearly demonstrated that
the meter is out OF order, and has been
registering too fast. We are informed
by the Inspector of Gas that whenever
this Is discovered the proper deduction Is
made without consulting the Committee
on Light. As II may not be generally
known among our citizens that they can
have their meters tested without cost, we
would state that this can be done at
any time by applying 10 the Inspector OF
Gas, Room Q. city Hall.
The officers OF the department have no
control of the gas after II passes through
the meter. and IL Is entirely optional
with the consumer as TO how much or
the same he will consume. We rely upon
the meter, which. when In proper condl-
ton. IS n thoroughly reliable piece or
machinery, TO indicate the amount con-
sumed If we dlscredit the meter there
saf tot in
ing the amount of gas consumed by each
consumer.
We feel satisfied that there has been
a general increase OF the consumption or
gas during the months OF January and
February Of this year over the same
period for last year. In explanation OF
the causes which have brought about this
increase we herewith submit the reports
furnished us by Superintendent w. Z.
Adams. Inspector Of Gas w. +. Knowles.
and Deputy-Inspectors y +. Batkins, IL
G. Miller. and W. W. Wood.
We ask that your committee ne as.
charged from further consideration OF
this question.
Respectfully submitted.
JAMES r. BRANCH.
Chairman % subcommittee.
The reports OF the officials referred 70
have already been fully covered In the
Dispatch. =, II
Tho committee ordered that all deIn-
ouent gas bills prior to January l. lss-'
be cancelled.
The Street Committees Meeting
The semi-monthly meeting Of the stree'
Committee was held at O'CLOCK. .,l
Burton presented. by request OF MI
Mann. a resolution providing that De
ginning Yesterday, no bids should DE eoh-
sidered from parties who were agents W VI
managers for others. This was lalo on
the table. co,,.
A number of resolutions from the Couh'
Gil were referred TO the tour Oh ihspee
tion. o.r
The resolution offered in the Counci,
by Mr.. Lawder requiring the hiehnohu
Railway and Electric Company 10 fe,nos
the switch at the corner OF twenty 5,i'' ~
and Main streets, 70 the end ,hat u..
ton may have better service. was @ ny
considered Captain Pizzini, OF the cum cum
pany stated that the switch was me-.
sarv IN order that cars might be run
during a freshet when they could no
get around the loop. Referred 10 en'
Ward Committee and City Engineer.
A request was received from the Boarc
of Fire Commissioners asking permission
10 erect a shed on Tenth street. pet"ee'
Broad and Marshall for the acco,nino' m
dalton of the apparatus and men OF tn'
proad-sfreet engine-h house while WASH
ington Hall Is rebuilding. Referred u
the City Attorney and Engineer.
VAULT UNDER THE JEFFERSON
Permission was requested by the Jei
ferson Hotel Company to buiid vau'
under Main street along the 'front.' OF th'
building. Mr.. Campbell. who Is In cnarg'
Of the work. explained that the Saui