Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-20
LOCATE THE BLAME.
COMMITTEE TO INFEoli"H'
c,UsE OF INJURY TO boys EYES.
THIS MATTER DISCUSSED. LAST hight
The Old Tr"sh-i'nrrei C"nse" M"
the TroubIc-Rcpnirs to the 'its
Jaii-OId Iron and Junk TO DC
SoId-0fLcr 1,UsineSs.
SoId-Othcr business.

The Council Committee on GROUNDS
and Buildings held a regular meeting
last evening. at which Mr.. Evan sneau'
a member Of the body from Clay ward
made n very interesting statement con-
corning the case in which several boys
have had their eyes poisoned while
playing I'm Monroe Park, and 1t was de-
termined that a subcommittee shouid
| investigate the matter.
The members of the committee pre-
sent were Chairman Gunst and Messrs'
| Snead Brock. Briggs, King, and Law
der 4 quantity of routine business was
| disposed Of. The request Of certain resi-
| dents OF Libby Hill for permission TO
have phone placed in the house OF
the keeper Of Marshall Park at their
own expense was granted.
The report Of the Jail Commissioners
stating that certain repairs were need
ed TO the boilers Of the jail, and that
some minor Improvements should De
made, was read and referred 10 the Clty
Engineer for an estimate OF the costS
Of the same. The committee agreed TO
visit the Jail and inspect it at some
time I'm the near future.
The committee directed the Engineer
to have the fence around the triangular
lot. upon which is situated the Howit-
ger monument. removed, and to put up
the proper protection to the hedge which
has grown there.
THE INJURY TO THE BOYS.
Much discussion was INDUCED in with
D. fnh n
the injury OF the eyes of the five boys
already referred TO. Mr.. Kracke, the
keeper Of Monroe Park. where the boys
contracted the disease which has so Sc
riouslv affected their eyes, made a state
ment. i'm which he said he kept the bar
rel containing the old rags and other
trash picked up i'm the park, under the
little lodge upon the park. and always
endeavored to keep the children away
from this trash.
Mr.. Snead took occasion to say that
he had been given some information. in,
he supposed, a confidential way show
ing how the lads had gotten the poison
I'm their eyes. 1t was by playing with
some Of the debris from this waste-bar-
rel. and the trouble was pronounced by
physicians to be a very dangerous one.
one of the lads had already lost one OF
his eyes.
SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.
Mr.. Gunst. leaving the chair, said he
thought this was a very serious and
grevous matter and should be fully
investigated that the responsibility
might be placed where it belonged. He
said what had been published concern
ing the case had reflected upon the
keeper and the committee. as the custo-
dams of the park. The chairman urged
the Importance Of having the fullest in
vestigation of the matter. He moved
that a special subcommittee Of four be
appointed to carefully inquire into these
troubles. and report as soon as posi-
BILE to the general committee.
A proposition was made TO sell all
the old iron and junk around the parks
of the city. but it was decided that
this should not be done until after this
investigation.
There will be regular meeting this
evening of the Council Committee on
Fire Department.