Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-09
THE CITY CAS- WORKS
COMMITTEES HEAR STATEMENTS
ABOUT DISCLOSING or Turu
FIGURES By The SUPERINTENDENT.
Ordinances Relative TO the Light
Department Taken In, but Not
Acted Upon--rhc Health Committee
Trnnsacts Routine business.


peeiency Of leasing or selling the city
Gas-Works. Judge Henry w. Flournoy
and Colonel r.. c. Marshall representing
the syndicate desiring 10 purchase or
lease the plant made statements TO the
body. and there was an adjournment
until next Friday nieht AT O'Clock
when all information regarding the gas
works possible to be given by the su-
perintcndent Is TO be presented.
Those IN attendance upon the Joint
meeting were Messrs. Starke (chairmam
Allen. HARRISON. Hardwicke Vaughan
Roaniroc. Noble Zimmerman. and
White The Clerk read the papers from
Council. which asked for report as
90 the expediency Of either leasing or
otherwise disposing Of The works.
The following letter from Judge Flour
noy and Colonel Marshall was then read:
Richmond. Va. March q. 1897
Edwin ID. Starke Esq. Chairman Of The
Joint Committee on Light and Finance.
City Council, Richmond. Va:
Dear Sir-We beg TO respectfully adj
wise YOU that We are prepared to submit
O proposition Tor the lease of the City
Gas-Works. which we shah do when
ever sealed proposals may be opened.
The leasing Of the City Gas-Works is
"a matter which interests every citizen Of
Richmond. AS is well known. the f.
uanccs of the city for the past few
years have been a matter Of concern to
those interested in the welfare Of Rich
mord. We believe IL will be to the ad-
vantage Of the citizens 20 accept our
proposition. The city will then have
definite revenue. which ii does not now
enjoy. and without the uncertainty in
,Gcnt 20 general business depression.
Having such q revenue the necessity for
Increasing taxation may be avoided and
fenlcr unnecessary onerous exactSons
from those engaged IN business and earn
ing their livelihood in the city. 1t is
a.ways 10 the advantage OF a city to
attract rather than repel business in
tcrests.
We address this communication to you
az this time. as the date is rapidly APP
preaching when the matter may be voted
upon by the people.
Very respectfully.
r. G. MARSHALL,
H. W. FLOURNOY.
Mr.. Allen stated that before any pro-
POSITION should be submitted the commit
Tee should determine whether or not it
was willing 10 sell or lease the works.
Then bids should be advertised for. The
franchise was n valuable one. and con-
Germs all over the country might wish TO
bid for 10.
OPERATED AT \ LOSS.
ON motion, the body agreed TO hear
statements from Judge Flournoy and
Colonel Marshall. The former gentleman
was the first 10 address the committee.
He said there We're two reasons why he
and Colonel Marshall had sent that COM
muniCation TO this committee. They wish
ca 10 show that they We're acting in good
faith and that they We're satisfied that
they could submit a proposition which
would be distinctly beneficial 10 the peo-
plc While they were realy with their
terms. he felt that il was only fair to all
concerned to carry out the suggestion of
Air. Allen.
Judge FlOurnoy went on to show that
the gas-wOrks had not been profitable TO
The city He said superintendent Knowles
had done as well with them az any one
could have done for the city, but he ex-
planned at length that in the hands Of
private corporation the plant could be
made TO pay and be beneficial 10 the city,
its citizens. and the company operating
the works. He claimed that the works
had been run at loss TO the city. Judge
FIournoy argued against a municipality
owning its light plant. and asked whether
or not the city. did II not now own the
gas-worlxs. would build and operate
plants He said his syndicate was ready
10 buy or lease. as the City Council
might decide. and felt satisfied that such
"a change I'm the control OF the plant
would mean a saving Of thousands of
dollars "a year upon tine works
COLONEL MARSHALL'S STATEMENT |
Judge Flournoy was followed in his
remarks by "a statement from Colonel
Marshall. in which he argued that the
plant had been run at a loss 10 the city,
and that II could be made a source OF
profit by placing IL under a corporation,
surrounded by proper restrictions. The
works had been conducted as well as
possible under the circumstances. They
had been run for forty years ia the same
old way.
Colonel Marshall thought it would cost
about $4,000 10 build the necessary holder
for the West End. Mr.. Knowles inter-
rupted he speaker by saying that this
would only cost $4,000 Colonel Marshall
went on TO add that II a private corpora
ton had these works IL would have TO
provide the money for this expenditure If
70 desired 10 make any money out Of its
enterprise Its success would depend
upon the thorough equipment of the plant
at all times. He understood that the
CITY was not in a financial condition to
make such outlays. Colonel Marshall
said. I'm conclusion. that his people were
ready 10 present their bid for either the
purchase or lease of the works. and TO
give any bond required for the faithful
performance Of their contract.
When Colonel Marshall had concluded
his remarks. Mr. Allen said he thought
the importance OF the matter warranted
the committee I'm being very careful 10
look thoroughly into its merits. He was
Of the opinion that tho joint body should |
have a report from an expert committee
relative 70 the works OF that all infOr- |
nation possible 10 be obtained regarding
them should be had. IL was impossible. /
ne said. for the committee 10 arrive at
any conclusion in the limited time Of last |
evenings session. and moved to adjourn |
until next Friday night at o'clock, |
which motion was adopted.
Light Department Ordinances.
The Committee on Light then met 10
consider the ordinances relative to that |
department, which originated in the COM
mittee on Retrenchment and Reform,
and were referred from The Board Of |
Aldermen 10 the body in session. Those |
present were Chairman Starke and |
Messrs Noble Witte. Vaughan, and |
HardWdcke Tho measures under con-
sheraton had reference 10 the govern
ment OF the Light Department. the pay
nent OF gas bills. &c. and the reduction |
OF the Gas inspectors stan. and the |
reduction Of the salary Of this officer. |
The ordinances were read, and MT.
Hardwicke found some Inconsistencies IN !
a 4. toll