Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-12


III IL, 1896.
Superintendent Pubic Charities, 1000;
Valentine Museum, g. 100: total public con-
sumption. .2,045.20o.
The statement OF gas generated shows
that 2oS.s31700 cubic feet were made IA
1895, an increase os 9,l55, ,90p as compareu
with the year 1884, Tho number OF street
lamps furnished with gas was l6S.
RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
The receipts and disbursements, on ac-
count Of current expenses, were as io'.
lows: Received for gas, Neo S8. u; received
for tar. &c.. s9ss45; total. yiel, ,sSz'Ss Dis-
ursements-Pay-rolls, $6o.67d.B; coai'
s2s. 1880; extension. sl4,7zs.36; expenses,
11.1Sl0S; oil, S35,17o.99: plans for plant.
$125; total. S45.S5o.46: less items empracca
in expense and extension for unpaid
vouchers for 1894. s1.51662; excess OF re-
ccipts over expenses, 81. .63S-S9, to whicn
should be added the 0z5.20o cubic feet or
gas used In public buildings and upon the
streets.
The maximum consumption OF gas du-
ring any twenty-four hours was on De-
cember 10. 1895, when 921.l5l feet OF gas
were used. The maximum production OF
gas in any twenty-fours hours Of the year
was upon the same day. when sS2,4w
cubic feet were made. At the date OF
last report the mains OF the city mea-
sured 70 miles, 1.62 feet. Laid during
the year. 4.951 feet, making total De-
cember 81, 1885, Of II miles, 1.2s3 feet; zss
service-pipes were put In for consumers;
renewed and repaired, 9S OF various
sizes In different sections Of the city; re-
moved street-lamps. etc.
WE'RE IN BAD CONDITION.
Superintendent Knowles, In his very
exhaustive report, says: when I took
charge OF the works. In juno last, l
found them in a very bad condition. and
IL was absolutely necessary to make the
following repairs and improvements.
Il. Coal Plant-Three new benches or
SIS: new buck-stays on block OF Ss;
iron blinds to retort-house repaired and
painted, and stone slabs taken up and
replaced with granite blocks.
az Water Plant-New engine and
blower, new oil-heater. oil-pump. pres
sure-tubes, conduit and blast-pipes. re-
tire generators. and superheaters. new
down-run valves, and oil-lnterjectors,
small engine and shafting remodelled, and
new stack to superheater.
'S. General Repairs-New valve on con-
densers, new sprays in scrubber. old
purifiers repaired and painted; new
steam pipe in hydraulic cup In holder;
new porch. steps. cutters, and conduc-
tors to yalve-room; new S-foot fence all
around the works, new windows in the
till-shed, new roof on coal and coke
shed: new cutters and conductors to an
the buildings, walls to coal-shed and en-
gine-room taken down and rebuilt; all
sash. blinds, doors. window and door
frames to the buildings repaired and
painted: elevator In new purlfying-house
repaired; a line of pipe run through the
ward connecting all the exhaust-pipes
from the engines, boilers, and main
drips: new steps to office, and yard en-
frances on williamsburg avenue; new
fence In front OF tar-well. new belts on
engines. and fans and new ventilators
in engine-room, and snith-shop.
HOLDER NEEDED REPAIRS
"a. Upper works-The large yas-holder.
located on the site of the Upper works,
on Dock street. was so much out OF re-
pair that 1t was necessary to discontinue
its use until 1t could be fixed. The re-
pairs consisted Of inner-sheet, hydraulic
cup. lining-up buck-stays, counter
chains for same, etc. From the best
Information could obtain (Which is from
the employees who worked this holder).
the city lost about 100000 cubic feet OF
GAS bv leakage before this holder was
repaired. The repairing was done by
tte Tredegar Iron Company, at cost OF
s1.@e0. and Is frst-class in every parucu-
lar.
suPERINTENDENTS RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.
"These extraordinary expenses prevent
Cd a more favorable showing OF the re-
sult OF the years work The amount OF
gas consumed In 1895 fully demonstrates
the necessity Of putting the coal plant In
nerfect condition, and prompt action In
this matter should be taken, with the
view OF placing tho works in proper con-
dition 10 meet the rapidly-increasing de-
mand. Should the present year be
prosperous one, have no doubt that
the works will be taxed next winter 10
their utmost capacity TO supply the de-
mand.
"I am now extending the 20-inch main
from Belyidere and Broad streets up
BROAD to Lombardy, and running TWO
I0-inch lateral mains. connecting with
all of the parallel streets as far south
az Cary street, and when this work Is
comnleted Il will give, think, the con-
sumers In this district the necessary sup
nlv of gas for some years to come.
"I most respectfully recommend the
recessity OF erecting new storage
holder. Of 10000 cubic feet capacity, In
the West End OF the city, because OF the
uncertain condition OF the one now In
use at the Upper works; also, because
~ the financial advantage that would be
derived thereby. With aof ional holder
canacity the plant could lie run to ad-
vantage, with a large saving OF iapor
and fuel. and the distribution OF gas
would be more thorough. with a great
saving to the consumer.
"I am sratifled to be able to state that
tbe officers and employees have been
faithful In the discharge Of their respec-
tive duties, and have always manifested
a willingness to assist me In carrying
ont any measure which / might suggest
Tor the benefit Of the works"
Accompanying the report are number
~ comparative statements, showing gas
made coal carbonixed. Illuminating
rover. etc, for the years 1ss5-'%. and
subioined Is the statement OF the City
Auditor. bearing upon the expenditures
and receipts for the department the main
Items of which are given in the above.
Property Trnrsfers.
Richmond: A. @. Collins. special COM
a.. n n