Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-16

The question how the amount OF Sh,50
appropriated for street improvements
different wards, was postponed untu the
next meeting
Affairs of the Gns-WOrlss.
There was a regular meeting last eve
ming Of the Committee on Light Those
i'm attendance were Chairman Starke, and
Messrs Noble. Caskic, Davis, HardWicke
Vaughan. and Waiierstetn. Superintend-
ent Knowles presented MS report OF tne
oporatiOus of the gas-W Orks during the
month ending April 30th lt showed that
I'm that period 5,3J3 400 cubic feet OF coal
gas and n1J92O cubic rect or water
gas were made, a total OF lb,aE.b0 cubic
feet as compared 20 total OF l5,Sl,20J
feet manufactured during the same month
in 1894 The quantity of gas consumed
last month was l6,5i2Ii cubic feet as
compared TO 1881 COB last year. The ave
rage Illuminating power last month was
April. 1885. Cost Of making gas in April,
1896 was IS 70 per 1000 feet for April, in
1895 Al cents per leo feet. Receipts from
coke last month. $32S59 as compared to
$l0975 during April, 1885.
The annual budget OF appropriations by
the Council showing the sums allowed the
Light Department. was received, ana hled.
Bids for roofing the purifying house at
the Lower gas-WOrks were opened, ana
the contract awarded 20 william ROBERT
Proposals for repaving for the depart
ment were also opened and considered.
The contract was let 10 Armbrecht S
Mittendorf, who submitted the lowest bid.
AN ECONOMIC PLAN.
on motion OF Mr.. Wallerstein. the
Superintendent was instructed 10 notify
the City Engineer and the superintendent
OF the Water Works ten days or two
weeks ahead of time. whenever IL is
practicable. when he expects to make
extension. and win have TO tear up the
streets Tlfe object Of this is TO save
the expense OF pulling up and putting
down the streets so many times in order
20 get i'm the pipes.
Mr.. Noble moved that the Superintend-
ent look into the matter of lights needed
on the streets on Reservoir Park, and also
to ascertain II another arc-lamp Is not
needed at Gambles-Hill Park. This was
agreed TO-
bids to supply the department with coal
were opened. and the contract FOR coal for
the next twelve months was awarded 90
j. W Hotchkiss, agent for operators. on
motion Of Mr. Caskie, the Superintendent
WAS directed TO procure a carload OF coal
from the Flat-Top Coal Company, at PO-
cahontas, for the purpose OF testing Il.
The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Po-
tomac Railroad Company petitioned the
committee. in view OF the large crowds
Of visitors expected here during the Con-
federate reunion, TO remove the lamp
post at the corner OF Byrd-Street Station,
Seventh and Byrd streets. and TO put up
an electric light in its place. The matter
was referred 10 the superintendent for a
Sir. Caskie wanted TO know Of superin-
tendent Knowles why il was that the
cost Of gas In the holder in APRIL 1895.
was A cents per loo cubic feet while
in April, 1896, il was $40 cents Mr..
Mr.. Knowles replied that the department
was using a much more expensive oil.
At this juncture Mr. Noble stated that
ne had been Informed that Mr.. William
Robertson, the gentleman just awarded
the contract 10 slate the purifying house.
was not "A practical plumber at all but
only a carpenter. on Mr. Caskie's mo-
tion, the committee reconsidered its ac-
ton, and instructed the Superintendent 70
ascertain II Mr. Robertson was a proper
man 10 have this contract
Bills and pay-rolls were approved.
Special Session of the Council.
Mr. K. T. Glover, President OF the Com
mon Council, Will this morning receive
= request, signed by Messrs Briggs.
Hawkins, and Caskie, asking that he
shall call the Council together Monday
evening at O'Clock 10 consider the paper
offered by Mr.. Noble, at the last meeting
OF the Board Of Aldermen. readiusting the
positions IN the city government, and IN
certain instances making changes in the
compensation OF city officers.
regular meeting Of the Committee on
First Market was held last evening Only
routine business was transacted.
PROTESTED AGAINST ITS AP-
PRONAI.
Mayor Richard NJ. Taylor yesterday
afternoon affixed his signature 10 the ordl-
nance allowing the Manchester Railway
and Improvement Company 10 convert
its present Marshall-street mule-car line
into an electric loop around Fourteenth.
Marshall, Seventh, and Main streets, but
the approval OF the measure was vigor-
0usly protested against by the Richmond
Traction Company When his Honor
went uD 70 the office OF City-C.erk Au-
gust for the purpose OF signing the resO-
lutions and ordinances awaiting his ap-
prOval he was met there by representa-
lives OF both the Richmond Railway and
Electric Company and the Richmond
Traction COMPANY Mr.. John Skelton
Williams. president OF the latter. and
Mr.. Philip b. SHIELD. its chief counsel.
strenuousiy protested against the Mayors
signing the ordinance. setting forth the
grounds OF their objections at length.
Wr. A. r. GulgOn, who was on hand as
the attorney Of the old company, argued
that the measure had been adopted In
good faith by the Council Of the city of
Richmond and should have the approval
~ the Nayor. City-AttOrney Meredith
who was present as the legal representa-
i've ~ the CITY, stated that he could see
no reason why Mayor Taylor should not
sion the ordinance, which his Honor pro-