The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-20
The City Engineers Department Has
Not YET Been Disposed OF.
MUCH TESTIMONY GIVEN LAST NIGHT
Aud Reasons Advanced Why His Business
Hours Should Sot lie Fixed, Nor the
Services OF Any of His Em-
ployes Dispensed with.

Nlll EA5lArtl NtlAl llutlN a. 4A'ln y
\. NJ. to 8 p. NJ. and dispensing with the
services Of the Fourth Assistant Engi-
neer and Sewer Foreman.
The matter was partially considered at
meeting Of the Committee Tuesday
night. and when Il was again taken up
last nght evidence was given in by
the four assistant engineers, three SUI
perintendents of hands and carts ana
Sewer Foreman. after which Colonel
Cutshaw presented "a written statement.
The city Engineer then said that he de-
sired 10 make an additional statement,
which would consume some little time.
and. the hour being late, the committee
Adjourned until Monday night az 1880,
when the question VIII doubtless he set
tied.
hWcn the committee met both the
chairman and sub-chairman were abb
sent. and Mr.. H. J. Carter was elected
chairman pro tenn. Thc following menu
bers We're present. Mcssrs. Bahcn. Burton.
Ehel. John j. King. JOHN M. King. Pollock.
Foster. aud Woody. Before the body be-
gan It's deliberations. however, the chair
man. Major Otway $. Allen, appeared
and took the chair
HEARING EVIDENCE.
The committee Immediately proceeded
10 business. and The CITY Engineer sug-
gestod that his assistants be allowed 10
testify in order to clear themselves or
the charge OF doing outside work ~ the
citv's time. Alr. Edward Bates First
Assistant Engineer was first heard from.
This gentleman. after stating that he had
been IN the employ of the city for forty
two years. gave the committee fnll ac-
count OF the many duties pertaining 10
his Office He showed by memorandum
o. tie work done by him during the
present month which is about a sample
OF other months. that hls time IS fully
occupied f0r at least nine or ten hours
each day.
Mr.. Jackson Bolton. Second Assistant
Engineer was next questioned. Tie said
that it took from 4. VI. TO !. NJ each
day % do his work and sometimes longer
lie eyplained his duties in detail. and de-
monstrated that his work is OF very
arduous character. and requires constant
attention.
Mr.. Bolton said that rs a rule by i7-
suing orders iu advance 10 the depart-
mcnts under him. he could conclude MS
work each day by o'clock
I'm regard 10 the statement that he
had gone to Charlottesville % do outside
work during the time that he should have
been doing the citv's work. Mr.. Bolton
explained that he had gotten leave or abb
sence and gone there 10 help his friend
MT Maynard calculate bid. hut tad
not received cent Of compensation. Tho
same thing Dee said. had occurred on the
occasion Of trip TO Petersburg WITH
Mr. r.. r. u. Myers. Jr
The chairman stated that the committee
had never supposed for a moment that
Mr Bolton had done anything wrong nor
was there any charge against or reilec-
ton upon Mr. Bolton. or any cuploye OF
the Engineer office.
Mr.. Maynard and Mr.. Z. r.. d. Myers.
who were pre- sont by request OF Mr.. Boil
ton substantated his statements.
THIRD ASSISTANT.
Mr.. Frank Bates. third assistant enei-
neer. next testified, and gave the COM
uittee a pretty good idea Of his tedious
and laborious duties. One-third OF his
time. ne said was taken up in giving in-
formation 20 outside parties. hunting up
records. etc. an of which work required
skill and experience. lie said that his
hours in the office were from TO 6. and
10 was impossible for him 20 perform
the duties devolving upon him in les
time
Ar. =. p. Talaferro. fourth assistant
engineer. then gave the committee "A list
of mis- duties. He stated that he had
charge Of new work. such as looking ar
ter paving of streets. setting Of curbins.
etc. Besides these he had. he SAID
number Of other duties in giving lines.
grades. and work of that character. ana
making out bills for the special assess
ment clerk.
Mr. Taliaferro said be- did not think
with tho present force in the Office SIX
hours a day was too short time 10
properly perform the duties az the de-
partment. lie exhibited 10 the committee
the level. transit axe. tripods, etc. which
had 10 be carried around in getting
grades, and assured them that they were
extremely cumbersome and burdensome. |
MAKE TWO DISTRICTS.
Testimony was also given by Msssrs. |
John II. Gardiner j. r. Craddock ana /
G II. Toots. There gentlemen are super /
intendents OF hands and carts, and they |
were closely questioned by the committee /
as TO whether IL would not be possible /
10 dispense with the services OF one SUI
and DO the work as efti- /
GENTLY as at present. Each one ex-
pressed the opinion that IL could no, be
done
Mr.. A. r. McGhee. sewer foreman. then
gave the committee am account OF his
various duties. he said he did not think
the citv's interests would be properly
protected IL hts office were abolished.
Many times. he said. he had rejected
material that was unht 10 be used IN
sewer construction, and thereby prevent
ed the city from being taken advantage
or
This concluded the examination OF Wit
nesses. and the city Engineer addressed
the committe. After explaining some APP
parent discrepancies n the statement or
those examined, he read the following
statement:
COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE.
Now. gentlemen. We have gone over
with you as far as you have had time 10
discuss them with us the several sections
of the proposed ordinance which so vifaily
affects the efficiency Of our department.
We feel that from the long experience
we have had in the service or the city.
the special interest we have IN a good
and economical government OF city al
fairs. as well as our own personal IN
terest at stake our views are IVORY
~ the most careful and unprejudiced
consideration. While We respectfully but
most emphatically protest against the
proposed reduction I'm Our force. which IN
our Judgment would seriously cripple the
efficiency OF our department. We shaii
,e compelled TO acquiesce in the outcome
II your recommendations when the Coun-
N shall have adopted them.
We shall cndeavor 10 devote the same
are and faithful attendance to our WORK
Is we have always done. but II delays or
ack OF efficiency in the execution Of our