Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-27
Total cost lamp-lighting and
extension -----...........Sll .a
TO RETRENCH STILL FURTHER.


extension ...... ...-.........'''S 4'foh a.
TO RETRENCH STILL FURTHER.
In order to bring the question of dis
posing of the works properly before the
committee. Mr. Witte moved that the pa
pers be returned to the Council with the
statement that il Is ineXDedient for the
city TO dispose Of it's plant at this time.
Mr.. Wallerstein here gained the floor
and gave some very important informa-
ton with reference TO the above state
ment from Superintendent Knowles. He
said that the sum Of $1,000 expended
last year in laying mains should not be
Classed as current expenses. and charged
against the revenues Of the works, but
should be put down as expended for
permanent Improvements. as those mains
would last probably fifty years. Mr.
Walerstein went on to say that the sum
offered by the Richmond Gas Company
was only per cent. upon the estimated
value of the plant; whereas the city
last year derived per cent. from it.
and would this year derive a great deal
more. if even the same quantity of gas
be consumed. He remarked that the
Committee on Light had instituted "A
number of reforms about the works
which would rebound TO the good Of the
city. eve only got So cents per barrel
for tar last year" Mr.. Wallerstein con-
tinued. while we have closed the con-
tract for this year at $3.50. and this alone
will make a difference Of 5000 per an
nun in the money-product of the works
Then. too. we will save $1,000 this year
by the decrease in the price of oil. 1
think this entirely an unpropitious time
TO think about leasing the plant"
A SAVING IN LABOR, ALSO.
Mr.. Noble practically agreed with Mr..
Wallerstein. He said the Light Com
nattees subcommittee on labor had re-
Gently made an examination into the
feature Of the works assigned to it. and
that there would be a considerable saving
this year in the payroll account Of
the plant. He remarked that II had
been found that the works could be con-
Quoted with four men less than were
employed there, and that these men had
been dropped.
Mr. Hardwicke spoke briefly against
the leasing of the works, saying thai
IL was foolish for the committee 10 con-
slider an application for the plant at
$4,000 when the city was now deriving
$50 coo from It.
Mr.. Rountree did not agree entirely
with the view held by Mr.. Harwicke.
lie said. while he was not familiar with
the operations of the departments. he
was I'm favor of the city doing the best
II could with its enterprises but added
that this was the worst time in
which to think of leasing the works.
He regarded any such transaction as
inexpedient now, just upon the heels OF
the administration in which there was
so much corruption.
Mr.. Zimmerman. speaking Of the mat
ter. said: II disagree with Mr.. ROM
tree when ne says that this is an UNI
fortunate time TO take up this matter. |
think this is the proper time TO go into
this question. 10 discuss 1t, and present
the facts TO the public"
The explanation was made by Mr..
Rountree that he did not mean to con-
vey the impression that ne thought this
an unfortunate time TO discuss this mat
ter. but an unfortunate time TO lease
the works. owing to the black-eye which
had been given the works, ard to the
fact that considerable Improvement had
been made to the plant since Mr..
| Knowles became the superintendent.
EVILS OF PRIVATE CONTROL
Mr.. Wallerstein called the attention OF
| the body to some OF the evils which
might grow out OF private control OF
the works. saying that citizens could
not possibly be as secure In the matter
| OF having their meters fairly read as
they are now, when the gas inspectors
are the servants of the city at stipulated
| salariesf
After some further discussion the
committees unanimously adopted Mr.
Whites motion. returning the papers tc
the Council, with the statement that II