Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-08

trcnChment and Reform are acuhS unuei
the following ordinance:
1T shall be the duty Of the Committee
on Retrenchment and Reform 10 inquire
into any branch of the city service. the
duties OF officers. and all other matters
connected with the same as expressed
In the ordinances and with the expendi-
lures OF the money OF the city, and to re-
port as often as they think proper
making such recommendations In the
amendments Of the ordinances. or I'm the
duties OF officers and employees as they
may deem necessary TO secure the faith
ful performance OF duties required or
such changes in their requirements as
may be beneficial 20 the city and con-
duclve 70 the economical administration
Of the government of the city"
This ordinance makes the duties OF the
committee very extensive and onerous.
The committee has taken into considera-
tion IN the beginning OF its labors that
for years past the city has been spending
largely In excess OF its revenues. increas-
ing It's bonded limit to a dangerous ex-
tent and creating large floating debt an
nually.
knowing that the necessities OF the
situation demand a more economical ad-
ministration OF the city's affairs. and
reduction Of salaries and expenses in the
several departments OF the city govern
ment. your committee has taken up,
first. the Department OF Streets, and.
second. the Department OF Light. and
herewith submit their report on them,
and will submit from time TO time here
after for consideration by YOU reports on
all the departments OF the city govern
ment.
FIRST-DEPARTMENT OF STREETS.
AS 10 this department, we are of the
opinion that the work Of the department
Is at the present time, and will neces-
saIily for some time 20 come be- less
than Il has been for some years past.
during which time the work of construc-
tion Of the new pump-hOuse. city Hall,
Howitzer and Cavalry armories. Ran
dolph-Street SchoOl-house the laying off
OF the Jefferson Park. engaged their at
tcntion ana supervision, and the reason
your committee has come to this con-
clusion Is from the fact that no public
buildings, school houses. public parks.
or other work Of great Importance is
contemplated IN the near future.
In This department the state OF affairs
now existing as relates to the large and
unnecessary consumption Of gas in the
several departments Of the city is a de-
Superintendent of the Gas-Works upon
the basis of the present rate as 10 the
unnecessary consumption Of gas amounts
20 about 5000 or $4,000 annually. We
find that in the Second and Third mar
kets about one seventh Of the gas con-
suined Is paid for. The present system
of lighting the City Han has proved an
expensive one. on account OF the ground
globes used and the distance OF the fix
lures from the desks aud tables Of the
officials, requiring a greater number of
burners TO be used to give sufficient.
light The Committee on Light has now
under consideration plans to overcome
the evil OF unnecessary consumption OF
gas; but. as we deem II advisable that
an end should be put 10 this waste Of
gas during the interim Of any change
that may be made we recommend the
adoption OF the accompanying resolution.
instructing the Superintendent of the
Gas-WOrks, subject TO the control Of the
Committee on Light 10 investigate and
stop all unnecessary consumption of gas.
Your committee has considered chapter
% Of the City Ordinances concerning the
gas-works. and has prepared an ordi-
nance. entitled. An ordinance TO amend
and reordain sections g. 9. 10, p. 2S, %,
%. and IS Of chapter % Of the City Or
dnances. concerning the gas-works,
which we submit herewith. and respect
fully recommend 10 be adopted.
In order 10 carry out the recommenda-
lions Of your committee, we accompany
this report with certain resolutions and
ordinances concerning the departments OF
Street and Light. and respectfully recon-
mend the adoption of the same:
The following are the more important
Of the recommendations OF the committee:
HERE Is THE INFRINGEMENT.
To dispense with the horse and buggy
OF the Chief Of Police.
To dispense with the services Of the
barness-repairer at the city stables en-
gineer's Department..
Making the hours OF the City Engineer
and his assistants from A. NJ. till s
p NJ. and fixing the salaries Of that
department as follows: City Engineer,
81, 900; assistants Ghree)-two at 81, $50. and
one at Sl.S50-one to be foreman of sewer
construction. and dispensing with the SER
vices Of the Foreman OF Sewers.
In regard to the enormous consumption
OF gas by the various departments the
committee recommended that the gas be
charged 10 the various departments.
To place one arc-light in the Regimental
Armory. TO be used in lieu Of gas.
To dispense with the horse and buggy
OF the Superintendent of the Gas-Works.
Fixing the salary Of the assistant gas
inspectors at 500 per annum.
Reducing the salary OF the Superin-
tendent Of the Gas-Works to $3.50 per
aunum.
Reducing the salary of the Chief In
spector 10 81 200.
Reducing the salary Of the foreman
OF the Lower gas-works TO $500.
Increasing the salary Of the foreman
OF the Lower gas-works to $500.
Providing that the Superintendent OF
the Gas-Works Is 10 pay or cause to be
paid 10 the employees the amounts due
them AZ the works between the hours OF
I o'clock and 7 o'clock =. NJ, and TO take
the receipt therefor.
Recommending several changes IN the
conduct OF the gas-wOrks as to the sale
of coke. lime. ammonical liquor, etc.
The report was ordered 10 be printed
Tor the use Of members of the Council.
Mr. W,tte offered a resolution prohibit
ing members OF the Council and Board OF
Aldermen from being candidates for any
s. laried Office within the gift OF the
Council.
EXTENDING fractions TRACKS.
An ordinance was offered by Mr.. Turner
changing the line designated TOT thdt
company's tracks. 50 as 10 be single
from Madison and Cary 10 Beach, 10
Beverly. TO Cherry. 10 Spring. TO Beverly
to Madison. 10 Cary. This went TO the
Street Committee
Mr. stokes offered resolution impos-
ing penalty Of $ for the failure Ul
bfcvclists 10 carry a bicycle-lanp WINE
..1i.,. 81. ,,fgbt The resolution was paSS-