Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-18
DAY OF COMMITTEES.
x,ny CauncIlnanit Bodies Held Bust-
ness Sessions Yesterday Evening.
Affairs Of These Departments Con-
raaes.s--oraspsnce Concerning Re-
msvsI Of grscks-creuads Aroora
the Davis Mansion.

The Council Committee on Streets con-
vcned in regular session In Room 5 Of the
City Hall at $50 o'clock yesterday az
ttrnoon. The members in attendance
were Chairman Alien and Messrs. Bloom
berg. Burton. Diacont, Fegriter, Page,
King. and Mcdowell. An application for
the extension OF the sewer on north
1rwenty~Dinth street beyond Leigh was
considered and laid upon the table until
the next meeting. The clerk was author
lied to issue allegations for the grading
and paving the alley between Foushee
and Adams and Cary and Canal streets.
nj the expense OF the property-owDers.
Allegations were also authorized TO make
short street 12-foot alley, and TO open
and grade the alley between Twenty
second and Twenty-third and Marshall
and Clay streets.
THE CITIZENS PROTEST.
The protest OF the property-owners on
Third street Drulton) between Denny and
louisiana streets to any material changes
IN the grade OF that street by reason OF
the propoy G changes of the tracks OF the
ChesapeaI =. and Ohio railway. and their
petition ~ access 20 their property. 80
were referred TO the Ward Committee and
the City Engineer.
The usual bills and pay-roIls were ap~
proved Some unlmportant repair work,
the cost OF which amounts TO $Ss5, was
ordered TO be done.
Allegations were oruered 10 be issued
for the opening. grading and paving OF
Cary and Canal streets.
On motion OF Alr. Bloomberg the City
Engineer was directed to use as much of
the loose dirt now accommodating on Broad
street as was necessary TO properly grade
the lot upon which the Jefferson Davis
mansion stands.
THE REMOVAL OF TRACKS.
The committee referred to the City At
forney, for bis opinion, the ordinance
from the Council to repeal any ordinance
granting privileges 20 the Manchester
Railway and Improvement Company, so
far as the same might apply TO its tracks
on Fourteenth. Broad. College, and Mar
snail streets, east of Adams. and to re-
quire that the tracks be removed and the
streets restored TO proper condition The
committee wanted TO know If the Council
could legally adopt this ordinance.
Mr.. Burton called the attention of the
committee TO the complaint regarding the
torn-up condition of Broad street and
asked what was the cause thereof. Colo
mel Catshaw explained that the Richmond
traction Company had been allowed TO
open more OF the street than the ortli-
nance prescribed, because of the necessity
10 get the concrete between the tracks
as far as possible during the good wea-
Their.
The Engineer was asked for an esti.
mate OF the cost OF paving Twsnty-flrs,
street between Broad and Franklin
streets. After disposing OF q number O;
unimportant matters the committee ad-
5ourned.
The Ladies' to Have Free Gas.
Quite an important session OF the Com
mittee on Light was held In Room No. IL
or the City Hall last night. Chairman
grimes and Messrs. Caskie, Carter. Davis,
Hardwicke, Wallerstein. and Vaughan
being present. For the first time in the
history OF that body the committee were
waited upon by a delegation of ladies
from the Confederate Memsrial and Lite
rary Society. These ladies were on hand
rs committee from that organization to
ask Tor the privilege of using gas free
IN the Jefferson Davis Mansion Mrs.
James N. Grant. who spoke FOR the yisi-
tors. stated that the society was DESTROYS
OF receiving the free use of gus for the
Confederate Museum about to be estab-
lished at the old Jefferson Davis Man
sion. and the speaker asked the COMMITTEES
10 use their influence TO that effect with
the other members OF the Council.
On motion Of Mr.. Davis, the commit
zee decided 70 recommend to the Council
that the request Of the ladies be grant
ed
OUR ELECTRIC-LIGHTs.
The following report was received from
Mr.. William III. Thompson, SuperlJtend-
Z ept of the Fire-Alarm Telegraph:
Z William p. Knowles. superintendent City
Gas-WI cks:
Dear Sir,--In obedience TO Your request
and under direction of my board. 10 sd
the Gas Committee in any manner
could which would not conflict with my
other official duties. / beg 10 submit the
following report, which viii show the
aluperage and voltage on the electric
light currents from which the lights Of
the city are now furnished. under con
tract. This test was made February IL
1856. between and p. NJ. at the plant
with our own instruments.
There were ten circuits doing city work
with an average amperage of G $40
and a total voltage of Z.405. while th'
number OF lights contracted for Is 5l5
The line resistance l was unable TO mea
sure. owing TO the fact that the wirei
were In use. Tests Of this kind are usual,
made during the day, while the wires ar
tdles but judging from the standard wi-'
used and basing the calculation on tn.
above figures. I am Of the opinion tina
the city Is getting fun candle-power a.
= sum total.
The Information as 10 whether eaci
lamp Is getting its proper proportion o
voltage will have TO be determined b,
making a test OF each individual lamp
: and adjusting same. The test was mad
during |. heavy rain. and, or course. wa
20 the clty's interest. and can be fakei
s n a standard guide. These readings shoull
& bo taken. and without any notice to tn
company when they are to be made. Thi
I Ga not do. owing to the face that
4 was not clothed with the proper au
rhoritv.
With assurances OF respect, / have tn
honor 10 remain.
Your most obedient servant.
w. II. THOMPSON.
Superintendent Fire-Alarm and Polio
Telegraph.
Superintendent Knowles was instruct
"a TO have the necessary tests mad
whenever he deems II advisable. Mr.
Tkompson. who was present, explained II
detail the examination made by him, AM
stated that he had found the electric-ligh
works I'm very good condition.
suPERINTENDENTs REPORT.
The report OF Superintendent william
p. Knowles as to the working OF tn
LiSht Department during the month o
~ 10 rneaivo1 D..x.x,s< ha xt,or NJ