The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-26
THEIR AXE BLADE VAST DULL,
So The Committee On Rererchmtnt
Made No Cuts in Salaries Last night
The POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
Th.ir CompensatIon TO Remain Mt the
Same Fisure-A Bouquet Also thrown
Them-A MILK and Meat lnspec'
tor-Other Committees


Reform put in three hours OF nara worN
last night. but none OF the Guy oiii0''''9 '.,-'
we're sufferers thereby, for no cuts were
recommended. out of abundant caution
and mstice. the committee declined TO
take any action where they did not pos
sess suffice ent information 10 make tAein
sure that no one would De UNJUST!
treated.
After deciding TO accept the report OF
the subcommittee i'm regard 10 the con-
dition OF Broad street, whlch was ln'esu-
gated some time ago. including
the recommendation that $3.50 pe
appropriated TO put the street III
good condition. the committee TOOK UP 'no
printed salary list, ana went hious" ~
with care Many Offices Were 'al" as.oe
for future investigation, and rhe saai'es
OF others were allowed 10 remain as At
present
ThSs was tho case in the Police and
Fire Departments. Mossrs. EOel' koun-
tree and others taking occasion 10 h'gh.y
compliment their eiiic ency
The committee has now reached point
where they can go no further WIN t"e
salary list. and next Thursday nlsnt they
Will rotrace their steps. carefully iormu-
late am the evidence obtained. and pro
ceed 10 prepare report 20 be submitted
10 the April meeting Of the Common Coun-
cif. At the Council and Board meetings
in March verbal reports viii bo made Oh
the committees progress.
After the question OF salary reduetion
has been finally disposed o. 10 IS the
purpose Of the committee 10 thoroughly
INSPECT tho various departments, and re-
commend such changes as may seem wise.
GREAT REDUCTION NECESSARY.
They realize fully that they will not be
able by reducing salaries 10 save etcn
year the enormous sum OF Sl5oo0. Wnlch
ia necessary 20 enable the city 10 live
within its income. and Il may yet be
necessary 10 recommend wholesale re.
duction. and the dispensing with OK an
officials who can possibly be- spared
II ,s proposed IN the near future 70 60
into an Investigation Of the Gas Works
10 see whether the methods which obtain
tiiore are the most approved and economi-
cal. For this purpose the services OF
gas expert will probably be secured.
when the committee met shortly after
6 O'Clock. the members present were
Nfossrs. Allen (chairman). Harre son.
Jones. Tbel. John J. King. and Rountree.
4 letter was received from william B.
Petit gas engineer. of Philadelphia.
stating that if 70 were the pleasure or the
Council 10 give him am opportunity 10
investigate the manner or conducting tle
Richmond Gas Works. he v1s sure he
could institute n system which won
result ia n great saving 20 tho city. Tho
letter stated that tho writer was willing
TO undertake the work a a salary Of $50
a month. and would resign at any time
that his progress was not satisfactory 10
the city.
CHEMICAL LAWS.
lie further. stated that the expense Of
the Gas Works was not so much due 20
salaries, &c. hut 20 the failure 90 observe
certain chemica laws.
The letter seemed 20 meet the general
approval or the committee. and. upon
motion Of colonel Jones. 90 was decided
10 reply ~ Mr. PETIT that the committee
would probably investigate the Gas
Works i'm the near future. and If his SER
vices were required would communicate
with him.
Some discussion was then INDUCED IN
as 10 the best method OF procedure. and
q was finally determined 90 proceed 10
formulate % report from the Information
that had been obtained before taking any
additional testimony and 10 present If
possible. partial report 10 the Council
at its meeting ON Monday next.
After n long discussion the report of
the subcommittee appointed 10 lnyosti-
til' lNr c'Hu.ilo. OF '."'r ".'
ppI"F,' '''
i,r"tIu ll 'o lI' 'o'
"v ".''' W. 4 ,r. r.,..f
moved that tho action Of the committee
in regard 90 tho office of this official Doe
roc0nsidoroi This motion was adopted,
only Colonel Jones voting against it.
SIR Jones then raised The point that
iie pu'r l"H '".''u ",- pr '' ..-. '-,
l.' s-lD' I.,', ., l.,isto,. r,..,-,li,..,
....,t.r.b, c,,,,,,i..f,rar ~ tho
,,...l....- .''... a,-,,.,.i 80
,r C,.,t. .......,.1 4tr. ro,,+ and
NJ rr,.r.f.,-, ,ben r,o,.o1 - t no fnrth-
~ os,,,., d., ,,,,l, to mako "a rsnort a. this
,,.o.ir,, bnf mat another session be held.
and I'M members notified 20 be present.
Tho motion was carried. and the clerk
was instructed 10 t1buate a report for
the guidance Of the committee from his
minutes. and resent it 20 the committee
at IFS next meeting. lt was also lheh oe-
c.ded not 20 attempt 20 make n report
70 The next meeting or me Counc4 put
to verlaIy state % lhaI houy "htl N'"
been eoh'.
WHERE WAS IHE MAYOR
Tho printed salary list was then taken
no. ana inquiry was made regarding the
Mayor VINO had been invted 10 Dee pres
ent no the last meeting OF the committee.
elias amy one heard from the Mayor
asked Chairman Allen.
no one had heard from tnat oniciaA
ana some tllI,7e , w'S l.'i. sAi,I-ss.n n.s
ia.lle 10 a'seD e o-' ssi,' 80 ,i.a mo
stated t"1l He hao suiiiiiioH,u NM Dug
.l,a1 Mator IdsiDr I'iu ~. i'''''''' '0'
o'.iI .,.. -. Z .,,, .,,,r,.
.T, , 49,. ,r.,.,l,. =,
W. '9,.-.t,,' ,,,,'.,,,,1. =.
,,rs',,re and ~ ask him 70 be rresant
..,.,..,t..,o,e - ~,
d. e"' -. i,., ,.,, ,,,,