Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-19
MAKES ONE REPORT.
RETRENCBMENT COMMITTEE DIS
POSES or BRoAD-sT. NATTER
:RlTICISES THE CITY ENGINEER.
EGort TO Dispose OF the salary List
nIOckcd After the Commissioners n,
she Revenue Was Passed--Interest-
ing session Last Night.

report OF the subcommittee was so
amended as 90 say that the body believed
thc uneven condition of that thoroughfare
.ouIl have been avoided IL the City Enei-
uecr had taken proper steps 90 have a
survey made OF the surface Of the streets
before the four tracks were laid
TIE committee also made am effort 10
luish Sos work on and complete its report
Co Che Council upon 90 salary list. but
,his work was blocked after the Commits
aoacr OF tho Revenue was passed. and
no changes were made.
The meeting was convened promptly al
o'clock. with Mr.. Rountree in the chair.
There were also present Messrs. Allen,
Eboi Noble. Jones, John ]. King Harrel-
son. and zimmerman.
THE REPORT OK BROAD STREET.
The body spent some time debating the
best line OF procedure for the evenings
work and it was agreed that the FIRST
matter 20 be considered should be the re-
mort OF the subcommittee appointed TO
.ropare the report on the condition OF
Broad street. as caused by the existence
-.areon OF the four strect-Tailway tracks
colonel W. j.. Cutshaw the City Engi-
rear. Who was present. made "a final state
rrert relative 10 the condition of Broad
street. and the causes leading thereto. lie
submitted the following in writing:
Richmond, Va. March IS 1897
.o he Committee on Retrenchment and
Reform.
ceuucmeu.-I beg 20 call your attention
90 he error you have made In assuming
tat plans and specifications indicating
rat changes would be made in Broad
street were submitted by either the City
Railway Company or the Traction Rail-
r.y company when their franchises were
ct,u them by the Council
IL was not known. therefore how the
tracks of these companies would affect
.ra surface OF Broad street tin the com
r.rfes were about ready TO start work.
rr order that the Council and the pub
-. may thoroughly understand this
r-rqf-strcct matter I would respectfully
.-k that the complete testimony taken
before your committee be published in
GI Very respectfully.
W. j.. CUTSHAN. City Engineer.
colonel Cutshaw followed this with a
verbal statement going somewhat into
-re case and he was asked many Ques-
-.ars as TO how the uneven condition of
Broad street could have been avoided.
There was some discussion over the
question Of publishing the evidence in
rl I'm accordance with the City En-
-ireer's request, and Mr. Allen offered a
motion providing that this be done. but
Ea afterwards withdrew IL.
WHY THE ENGINEER OBJECTED.
Mr. Zimmerman asked the Engineer
n ha did not know before the tracks were
hid how they would affect the surface
u Broad street
81 did not know then" replied Colonel
Cutshaw. "The ground upon which !
objected 20 the four tracks was that OF
the small space left between the outside
racks and the sidewalks. and upon the
further ground that Broad street was a
.eadina thoroughfare and that four
tracks should not be laid on it, ! ola
ro+ know what difficulties would arise,
even with the Traction Companys
tracks" Colonel Cutshaw went on TO
say that he strenuously urged the com
rnittee and the Council not 10 put -FOUR
tracks on Broad street.
NIr. zimmerman: Has the city PASSED
uDon The paving done by the street-car
companies on Broad streetR
Colonel Cutshaw: i believe II has; but
tho companies have not finished some Of
this work.
Afr. Zimmerman: Wouldn't you call
that work done all along the lines Of
the two companies a very bad JobY
Ine CITY engineer. WohlN A'A No4A
it very bad fob, but a rough job.
Il think it IS the worst / ever saw"
declared Mr. zimmerman. The city
Engineer was then excused. and the
report was then discussed 10y members
of the committee
WOULD CHANGE THB REPORT.
Mr. Ebel thought the leaving out Of
the term that plans and specifications
had been prepared, would mean the al
teraton Of the meaning OF the report
He suggested that that whole section
which criticised the engineering depart
ment would have TO be changed.
Mr. HARRISON was of the opinion that
the report should be so amended as 10
state that II the City Engineer had
taken the necessary precautions IN De
half of the city the condition OF Broad
street complained Of would have been
avoided.
There was considerable debate along
this line. and Mr.. Jones held that' as
colonel Cutshaw had objected 10 having
four tracks on Broad street. ne must
have had good reasons for so dolhs'
ana iu order TO have formed those fea-
sons he must have gone over the route
AIR. Allen defended the position OF the
CIV Engineer. saying that all that the
ordinances required him 10 10 was 70
give the respective companies lhelI
lines. and that the Engineer was not
r.0uired 10 make Il survey OF the street
before the lines were given the conlpa-
lios. o-,..o,
Ar Noble was more severe on Colonel
Cutshaw's department than any or the
members. He said that the case was 10
his mind mainly one OF neglect Of duty.
Mr. Harrclson moved TO strike OUT
that part Of the report referring 10 piaus
and specifications and 10 substitute the
following. 1--WE are Of the opinion thal
ie tho CITY Engineer had taken proper
stems so survey the ground when ne
.oupd out nat four tracks were TO De
l.d on BROAD street. he should nave
informed the Council of the result.
AIR Harrelson's motion was adopted
by the following vote: ,-,..
Aves-Messrs. HARRISON. Jones hlns'
Noble King. and Zimmermann-o.
Noee- Alessrs. Allen and Ebel-2
mo report. as amended. was then ol-
,ectef 10 be forwarded 10 the Couhclh
ana Mr.. Allen said that he would pre-
sent a minority report on the SUBJECT
OF the amendment
THE ATTORNEY AND CLERK.
srocial-Accountant Carlton McCarihy
,enortod upon the Offices OF Cohino',
,yeaith's Attorney Of the city and Cleih
NJ the Hastings Court which he hdu
beeu requested 20 DO by the comuil.'eN'
Efr Mccarthy said that the NWV pau
a.. 80 CITY 10 the Commemorative A.
to,ney was in the nature Of bonus
,gbicb the Council had been giving from
,,.or ~ wear. He detailed conVeInot,o'
Witch he had with CommOn"eaHh so
tornev richardson, in when the laes'i
e.id fbat he was constantly DeihS Sa'l,u
upon on behalf Of the city Dy us oni.ei"