The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-17
FEARS A WATER FAMINE.
SUPERfNTEyDENT BOILING MAkES
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS
To the Water Committee-Advocstes az
Expenditure of 100000 The Matter
Discussed Other Committees

The Committee on Water held an inter-
estng session at Z o'clock last night In
room No. IL OF the City Hall. the follow
Ing members being present: Messrs.
Briggs chairman. Turner, Carter, Cutch.
ins, and Lawder.
superintendent Boiling, OF the Water
Works, appeared before the committee
and presented an important communica-
ton in regard TO the almost Imperative
necessity OF adopting some measures to
increase the water supply OF the city.
Ills communication reads as follows:
a WATER FAMINE.
| deem II my duty 10 call the atten-
tion of tho committee to the Importance
OF improving our water supply. a re-
cent experience has shown ia what pre-
carious condition We are. and unless
something Is done. that at any time Rich
mond may be brought face 10 face with
a water famine. On September 18th We
had one set OF pumps az the new house
pulled apart for the purpose of repairs.
when the crank pin TO another set broke.
preventing further use OF that set for
two or three weeks. ON the following day
tho river rose SO high from recent rains
that we could not run a pump at the
Old Pump-tiouse. and we We're depend
ent upon one set of pumps at the new
house and the steam pumps for our entire
supply. They were capable of delivering
about one-half the water we daily con-
sumed. The head Of water in the reser-
voir fell rapidly. by working day and
night, and employing extra force. we put
together and started another set at the
new house. but IL took four days and
nights to comDlete 1t. and at present we
are able TO keep up the supply with five
sets Of pumps at the old house. two sets
az the now. and by working the steam
pump half time
TO EXPEND s2o0,0oo
The communication then goes on 10
recommend that the number OF pumps be
increased at once lie estimates that by
the expenditure Of s2o0.000 the present con-
dition can be relieved and ne people who
live on Church Hill and in high portions
OF the city be enabled 10 get water in
abundance. whereas now thelr supply u
extremely limited.
Tho matter was discussed at great
lergth by tho committee. who recognized
II as one OF the greatest Importance 10
tho city. and Mr.. Boiling freely gave his
views on the subject. He said that by ey-
bending s2O00OO for the establishment OF
an additional plant, 15.0Q0.0oO gallons ad'
ditional could be furnished to the city. II.
he said. S277.0O were expended the city
would be put in n good condition as re-
cards It's water supply for NJ least fifteen
years. He strongly advocated putting In
water meters also.
The committee decided TO send Mr.
Bollins's recommendation 10 the Council.
with the request that it be referred to the
Finance Committee.
The action of five members OF the COM
mittee before the regular meeting in
awarding contract for steam coal for
the pump-houses to warner Moore at
81 per ton. was approved. Some routine
work was done. bills ordered TO be paid.
and the conn ittee adjourned.
ACCOUNTS AND PRINTING.
At the meeting Of the Committee on
Accounts and Printing. at o'clock yes
terday afternoon, the following members
were present. Messrs. Pollock tchairmanl.
Hawkins and MOuntcastlc.
The question before the committee was
In regard 70 the payment OF bills presented
bv Everett Waddey & co. for stationary.
and Mr. Flanhart for printing about
which there was some dispute. Mr.. A.
B. McCulloch. who had been called In as
arbitrator rendered his opinion as to
the questions at issue, and the bills were
ordered 10 be paid.
IN regard to a number OF bills presented
by Mr. Waddcy. TO which Mr. Hawkins
had objected on the ground that many
articles had been sold TO the committee
at prices higher than those named In the
contract which Mr. Wad,ley has with the
city. 4 long discussion took place. Mr..
Waddey claiming that he had no right
10 dictate 10 the city departments what
grade Of articles they should purchase.
These bills were also ordered TO he
paid. Mr.. Hawkins voting aye" with
| The understanding that some action
| should be taken by the committee TO so
arrange the contract Of the city for sta
| tlonery as 10 guard against q repetition
| of such an occurrence. 4 resolution ~
that end was introduced by Mr.. Pollock
! and sent TO the Council.
The Committee on Fire Department met
| nj 8 o'clock yesterday afternoon. thoso
nrosent being liossrs. Ebel. Hardwicke.
Foster. Smith and Witte. \ number or
building permits were recommended 10
he granted. ard the usual bills ordered
10 be paid, after which the committee adj
iourned.