The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20
W. p. KNOWLES.
Snnerintenden


The reading OF these statements and
figures was heard with close attention by
the committee. Mr.. Wallerstein moved
that the committee report these papers
and figures TO the Council as submitted by
the Superintendent Of the Gas Works,
with the accommodation that 10 is in
expedient to sell or lease the City Gas
Works.
Mr. Wallerstein thought these papers
and figures were argument enough, ana
that they spoke for themselves, and with
the certain prospect OF reducing the cost
Of gas TO 4 lower figure than at present,
the works would compare with any In
the United States.
Mr.. Rountree here had read by the
clerk q clipping from the New York
World, showing the cost Of gas In New
York and Chicago. and wanted 10 amend
Mr.. Wallersten's resolution by adding the
words. in the absence OF any oncr."
lie wanted to wait and see what these
gentlemen. whose counsel had come here.
had to offer, and. If they meant business.
let them make an offer.
Mr.. Walersteln accepted the amend
ment of Mr.. ROuntree.
Mr Allen thought that nobody would
make an offer unless certain that the
city will lease or sell. IL would be un-
we should not require anybody TO bid un-
iii that question was settled.
REASON FOR LEASING.
Judge Flournoy. Of counsel for the firm
proposing TO lease or buy the Gas Works.
was invited TO address the committee.
He said that his colleague Colonel Mar
shall. found it impossible to come to-
night. They understood that there was
no distinct proposition expected. The
paper they had presented had no proposi-
tion in IL, but only contained their reasons
for asking permission to offer one. They
believed the city was running the works
at a loss. You have now the necessary
information belonging TO every citizen.
The impression IS abroad that you are
losing money. This induced US to propose
what we did as business men. and came,
as their lawyer, TO represent them.
Mr. Wallerstein withdrew his accept
ance of Mr. Rountree's amendment. lie
said we have figures from the Gas Works
and Auditors books. What else do we
want? We should be the JUDI IS. We
have investigated, and deem g. ineXpe-
dent to lease or sell the plant.
Mr.. Rountree thought the question
should be left TO the Council Let us sell
or lease any time, II we can. II the works
were In the hands of a private corpora
tion. we would get taxes out Of them.
Mr.. Harrelson wanted the figures and
papers submitted to the Council, and
let IL decide. as there is such difference
OF opinion in the committee.
He moved 10 submit the reports with
out recommendation, 20 the Council, but
the motion was lost.
INEXPEDIENT AT THIS TIME.
Mr.. Noble moved as a substitute for
Mr. .Wallerstein's resolution that as there
is no bona fde proposition before the
committed and the superintendent re-
port shows so favorably the committee
deems Il inexpedient 10 lease or sell the
Gas Works.
Mr. .Wailerstein believed the l1eople
wanted TO control the Gas Works even IL
they were run at a loss. Look at New
York. he said, everybody there wants mu-
nicipai control OF the Gas Works. Mr..
Allen could not believe that the people
were so unbusiness like as 10 DO that
You can't run any government properly
except on business principles. He thought
these reports were misleading and that
we were fooling ourselves and others.
lilo should greatly lament even the pros
pect Of Richmond being in the shape of
New York and Chicago, as far as muni-
cipal matters went. Ii seemed to him
n there Is any truth in newspaper re-
ports OF investigating committees in Tnese
places. that there was much corruption
in them.
He wondered that the people of Rich
mond had put up with the unbusiness-
was sean That the Gas Works were paw
(Continued on Second Pase.)