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

question INTO carelul eo4'''''"ei'"'
bring in its report to the general commit
tee next Thursday evening AT O'CLOCK
This was agreed TO, and the Chair APP
pointed Messrs. Jones, starke' and EDei
on this subcommittee.
COULD ENLIGHTEN THEM.
on motion of Mr. Ebel, the committee
decided to hear from Mr.. Knowles, Su-
nerintendent OF the City GasWorks. with
reference 10 some work OF the Committee
on Retrenchment and Reform. Mr.. Roun-
tree said that a subcommittee from the
committee had investigated the gas
works. and that since tnen II was re-
norted that Mr.. Knowles had stated that
the subcommittee only asked him one
question. which was with reference TO
the more economical use OF gas in the
City Hall MFR. Starke explained that he
had said to the committee that Mr..
Knowles had made such statement to
him.
Mr. Knowles who was present, began
by saving that had the committee called
upon him for Information about the
three departments Of the gas-works, ne
could have given them considerable light
regarding the plant. The committee, he
added had made recommendations 10 the
Council about matters pertaining 10 MS
department which he had not Deeh con-
suited about He thought that courtesy
to him demanded that he should have
been conferred with before any action
was taken. Mr.. Knowles stated further.
that the subcommittee had recommended
the cutting down OF the force in the Gas
Iuspector's Office from six TO five. He
declared that IL was impossible now TO
carry on the work Of this branch OF the
department without aid from the works.
and that the carrying out of the measures
sent to the Council would mean to cripple
the department
Mr.. Rountrce spoke briefly touching
this subject saying that the sub-cOmmit-
tee went through the Lower gas-works
with the Superintendent at I o'clock one
morning and cleaned such Information
regarding II as it could. He asked Mr.
Knowles if this was not true, and re-
ceived an affirmative reply. Mr.. Roun-
tree explained that he simply wanted the
subcommittee. Of which he was mem
Der. put in proper light He asked Mr..
Knowles II he thought that body had
made a thorough investigation Of the gas
works. and the superintendent said that
he did not think 20. Mr. Knowles de-
clared that the subcommittee had never
questioned him regarding the Gas-Inspec-
tors Office ana yet had gone ahead and
urged changes In that office.
After A great deal OF informal sort OF
questioning and answering. regarding this
matter Mr. Knowles explained that while
the committee had asked him questions
concerning the Upper and Lower works.
II had not interrogated him a. to the
Inspector's office. Mr.. Starke then said
that the latter Office was the subject Of
the conversation when SIR. Knowles spoke
to him about the subcommittee, and
while he understood the Superintendent
TO have referred to the whole department
Mr.. Knowles may have only intended 10
refer to the Gas-InspectoTs office.
The committee adjourned az 1l1O
o'clock.
HEALTH MATTERS.
4 regular meeting OF the Committee
on Health was held last night. Pre-
sent were Chairman Hobson and Messrs.
Blanks, Burton, Cutchins, Hawkins,
Snead and Williams. The pay-rOlls and
bills Of the department were approved.
and the committee considered and grant,
ed the petition Of Mr. j. Scott Parrish,
giving him permission 10 erect manure
pit in rear Of his stable, at No. 92S west
Franklin street
on motion Of Mr.. Blanks. the Council
was urged to construct a sewer in Cathe-
rne street between Graham and Gilmer,
as health measure.
DR. OpDenhimer, president OF the
Board Of Health, stated the Chief Of
Police had appointed officer Burnett a
sanitary inspector. TO take the place Of
Mr.. Charles Cipely, who Is transferred
TO the regular force.
THE FOURTH-STREET DAMAGES.
The subcommittee from the Commit
tee on Streets appointed to look into
the claims Of property-owners for DANA
ges alleged to have occurred to
them by reason Of the recent overflow
at the corner Of Fourth and Duval
streets. convened at the City Hall at
730 o'clock last night. Chairman Pol
lock and Alessrs. Ebel. Woody j. j.
King. and Mcuntcastle were present
A number OF interested property-owners
and their attorneys We're in attendance
City-Attorney Meredith not being pre-
sent. the committee could not proceed,
but decided to meet at the corner or
Fourth and Duval streets next Friday
afternoon at o'clock, when the whole
matter will be gone into. The commit
tee will INSPECT the property and testi-
mony will be heard.