Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-15
THE CITy-HALL TOWER.
II Was the Subject OF an Interest
Ing Meeting.

There was "A joint meeting last night OF
the Council Committee on Fire-Alarm aud
Police Telegraph and the subcommittee
from the Committee on Grounds and
Buildings appointed to Investigate the
condition of the City Hail.
The business under consideration was
the perfection OF some arrangements for
the care Of the City Hall tower, lighting
the clock-room. keeping the big clock
wound up, etc. Heretofore this work
has been attended to under the direction
OF Superintendent Thompson. Of the Fire
Alarm Department. but owing to the lin
tied number OF men on his force 10 posi-
tive assignment covering these duties
could be made. and. for instance the
tower several nghts-last night among
them-was not lighted.
Colonel Cutshaw the City Engineer. eX-
planned TO the Joint body the Importance
of placing this work under some respon-
sible head. He said that all the keys to
the tower should be turned over TO one
man. who should be given complete con-
troll over the tower and held responsible
for everything in connection with it. SUI
perntendent Thompson, OF the Fire-Alarm
Department. referred TO the great amount
of work which his small force was called
upon to perform, and said he simply did
not have a man he could spare 10 light
up the tower and wind up the clock. He
said he would look after the electrical
appliances Of the CLOCKS. and thought any
of the. jaritCrs or watchmen could attend
10 winding the big timepiece, lighting up
the tower. &c. The Superintendent stated
toahe committees that. in his opinion. the
city would soon have 10 use electric lights
In the City Han. as the gaslghts were
smoking the walls. a plant with a ca
pacity OF 40 or 500 incandescent lamps
would cost the city. he added. about 5000
TO 5000. Mr.. Thompson explained that
he had connected up an electrical sp-
pliance for turning on and cutting off the
gaslights in the tower from his office. but
added that this did not always work.
Mr.. Calder. superintendent of the build
ing, was called I'm, and declared that he
did not have man he could spare ten
or fifteen minutes each day 10 light up the
tower and as much more time once
week TO wind the clock. He said the
jsnitor on the fourth floor OF the build
ifg at present had more than he could
possibly do. This employee was at pres
ent keeping the cupalo clean.
After great deal of discussion. the
committee on motion OF Mr.. Bloomberg,
decided to place the electrical arrange
fnents and appliances under the Fire
n idiii Dfpti Ailfi' anu 10 tfAfl Nilf iihE'-
tim Of control of the tower. the cleaning.
Limiting. winding of the big clock &c.
TO the Committee on Grounds and Build
ipgs. 1t was suggested that an arrange
ment might be made among the watch
men for the care OF the tower and big
timepiece
BUILDING IN BETTER CONDITION.
The subcommittee from the Committee
on Grounds and Buildings appointed TO
look into the condition Of the City Hall
building, inspected the big structure yes
terday afternoon. and examined care
fully the manner in which janitors per-
formed their duties and the condition OF
the hall Those who participated in the
inspection were Messrs. Briggs. Roun-
tree. and Neale. These gentlemen found
the building in a more clearly condition
than when they examined 1t several
months ago, but 1t is not being kept salts
factorily to them yet The sub-commit-
tee did not formulate its report 10 the
general committee. but viii do so In a
few days.
The Committee on Ordinances was to
have met yesterday afternoon, but failed
TO get a quorum. Only Messrs. Bloom
berg and Pollock were present.