The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-14
CLEANING THE Els.
The Health Committee Considers the
Merits Of Contract and city Work


The Health Committee Considers the
Merits OF Contract and City work.
The Committee on Health decided last
night TO ask the Council for permission
to advertise for bids on street cleaning In
order to compare the cost OF contract
work with that done by the city.
The committee was scheduled 20 meet
at Q O'Clock. but II was nearly before
a quorum was secured. The members
present were Messrs. HObson (chairman),
Blanks. Burton. Jones. Moore. Snead anu
Williams.
The principal business before the COM
mittee was the consideration or proposed
ordinances in regard 10 the creation or
street cleaning department.
Several gentlemen who are familiar with
work OF this kind were requested 10 at
tend this meeting and give their views
on the subject Those who responded
were Messrs. W. c. Wilkerson, {. ii.
loot, Sergeant Orange, DR.. 7. u. stratton.
Sanitary Officer James and Mr.. HOLDS
croft. Dr. w. c. Wilkerson thought II the
Street Cleaning Department was his prl-
vate work he would have foreman Tor
each gang OF laborers. HIS experience
had demonstrated the necessity OF thls'
He would be unwilling To accept the po-
sltion OF Superintendent under the condl-
lions prescribed in the ordinance.
1t might be feasible TO give tasks 10
small squads. x foremen Of good judgment
were over thenh IL the work was given 10
him by contract he would have foremen
over each OF the four gangs. He would
make q bid 10 do the work for less than
was expended by the city last year
The testimony OF the others, based on
their experience and observation was
practically the same as that OF Mr.. VII
kinson. They saw little advantage IN the
proposed change as in their opinion the
system would have TO be made practically
as IL now stands TO be effective.
A letter was received from Messrs. John
5. Walker and J. II. Cox. stating that
according to reports OF the Health De-
partment IL cost the city 81. 80 10 clean
tha streets in 1896. They asked that the
work be let to contract and SAID tAat II
would result in large saving. Ihey
were anxious TO bid and knew OF others
who desired TO do so. and were satisfied
that the competition would reduce the
cost a great deal.
Mr.. c. w. Throckmorton. appear ed
i'm the interest OF parties who wished 10
make bids for cleaning the city and re-
moving the garbage. He said they would
guarantee a saving 10 the city or over
IS 600 using as basis the appropriation
Of last year.
Colonel Jones said that much yalua-
able information had been secured ana
he thought further investigation should
be made He moved to lay the ordinances
on the table and 10 ask the Council Tor
authority to advertise for bids on street
cleaning with the object Of ascertaining
the comparative cost OF contract work
and that done by the city. The motion
was agreed 10. ,.,
The following report OF the financial
condition OF the Health Department. sub
mitted by the clerk. Mr.. Arthur r. Mayo,
as OF Nav Ia, 1897, was received ana nled:
PAY ROLL. 49,.
Appropriation 80 ''.'..''''''.S3353SySS9S ~ ~
Expended -. -. 80. ...............' lJ''o< %
Jrnexpended balance 80. .......@sOli %
EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
ADD opriatiOn 80. -. ...''.s...'.fo'oVo ~
Expended to April 23d ..........' ZZ5S IS
Unexpended balance -. ........sS''S %
cREMATORY ACCOUNT.
Appropriation ...: -. 49, '''''''''''S-SS2gg 81
Expended 10 April .......'''''.'' 90 -
' -
Unexpended balance -. ......''-sl's2i %
A motion by Mr.. Blanks was agreed to
lnstructing the president OF the Board OK
Health not TO allow the expenditures 10
90 over the appropriations for the first