Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-03
HEAR CITY-HALL EMPLOYEES.
Looking Into Matter Of Only Having
One Machinist for the Building.

The Council Committee on Grounds and
Buildings held an investigating session
last night. with a view to ascertaining
what In the line Of economy could be
accomplished among the employees Of the
City-Hall building. IL was a lengthy
meeting. in which only two of the hall
employees were heard, and no action was
taken. Those In attendance were Chair
man Gunst and Messrs. Brock. Snead.
Neale. Noble. Rountree. and Briggs
Colonel Cutshaw. the City Engineer. was
heard. and he submitted a report as 10
the duties OF the men engaged 70 take
care OF the City-Hall buildings. This has,
In substance, been published before.
On motion Of Mr.. Neale the committee
decided 10 hear from Mr.. Calder. the
CltN Han engineer. This gentleman eX-
plained fully TO the committee the ma
ture of his duties. He said he had been
engaged in the City Hall for about seven
years. and since ne had been made
superintendent OF the hall his principal
work was 10 overlook the machinery. the
boilers. engines. and eevators-see that
the same were kept in proper running
order. etc. and that the general appear
ance of the building was all right. Mr.
Calder was questioned by Mr.. Rountree
as 10 the gauge-cOcks Of the DOllers,
which were reported by an expert to be in
bad condition. and liable TO cause an
explosion at any time. Mir. Calder said
while these gauge-cOcks were not IN per
feet condition, they were ~ gOOd oruer'
and that as soon as he could have gotten
two Of the boilers cool he could nave
fixed them in an hour or so. The Engi-
neer was asked how long Mr.. Toler' the
oiler. had been employed In the hall, ana
replied that this gentleman had Deeh
there three years. He was then ,interro-
gated by Mcssrs. ROuntree and Gunst as
TO the duties OF the oller MI. Caiiaer
stated that Mr.. Toler had to do the oiling,
help in the engine-rOOm and elevators,
etc. He did not think the building couid
be run by one machinist and a helper.
Mr.. Gunst stated that he had been in
formed that Mr.. Toler had been left TO
run the engines of the structure for as
long as two days at time. Mr. Calder
went on to explain that he and Mr.. DIS
ney. the assistant engineer. had regular
shifts, but that he had never, to his
knowledge left Mr.. Toler In charge or
the engines longer than an hour or SO az
at time save on Tuesday nights, .whlch
constituted Mr.. TOler's regular shltts III
the engne-room.
MIR. DISNEY'S STATEMENT.
Mr.. James Disney. the assistant engi-
neer. was called upon, and stated that the
only time he knew that Mr.. Toler coulu
have performed those duties FOR TWO sue
cessive DAYS was last Wednesday and
Thursday. when he was sick. Mr.. Ioier
was sent for in this connection. Dut was
not i'm the building, so Mr.. Disney was
heard He said he had served his time
as "A machinist at the Richmond LOcomo-
tive Works. 1t was regarded as .neces-
sary. and the general custom In Dig
buildings. to have on hand at all times
competent engineer to make such repairs
as might from time 10 time be necessary.
The witness explained that on Tuesday
night. Mr.. Toler, the oiler, was LETT alone
with the engines of the hail. In the event
that anything should go wrong with the
machinery. Mr.. Disney said all that MT.
TOler would have to do would be 10 smut
down until either Mr.. Calder or himself
could be gotten. and the necessary re-
pairs made. 4 great deal of repair work
had TO be done. the nature OF when was
too varied to explain. Mr.. disney, Delhs
questioned by Mr. Rountree said he had
three afternoons off each week from 10
; o'clock. and. upon his return oiten
found Mr.. Calder in the engine-room' ana
at other times found Mr.. Toler there MI.
calder was always upon these occasions
I'm his office, which is close by the engine
room. ,,,,, o,,ta 10
run with one machinist ana one helpeI.
but this would leave the helper WITHOUT
the power to call upon the machlnlst IN
the event of an accident under certain
After some further questioning. Mr..
Disney was excused and the committee
adiourned until o'clock this afternoon,
When il will assemble with a view OF
completing its WORK