Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-08
n0LDTnE GAS WORKS
THE PROPOSED LEASE MEETS
WITH GENERAL DIsFAvoR.
Ex.CHAIRkaN POWERS SPEAKS,
The OFFER Is Absurdiy inadequate
A Question That Must lie s""'"i'-
ted 10 che People before Action Is
Taken.

The tidc OF popular sentiment seems 10
have set in vigorously against the pro
rosca lease of the City Gas-Works. Inc
matter is being widely discusseu !" a."
circles and the consensus OF opinion
unouestionabiy opposed TO the 'e"9'"7
:, .ho works under any such conditions
a. those at present being considered by
the Council 10,
a, interesting letter in this connection
- received bv Superintendent Knowles
NJ the passwords, yesterday from MI
Y w. Powers president OF the ro"e'S
Tavlor Drug Company. Mr.. fo"o'S "''
Co. many wears an indefatigable mem
,.r ~ tho city Council, and Tor looi
,,oars was chairman of the Comrni''ee o"
I,eht During his tenure OF ms posi-
in an effort was made to rent the
sas-works out. which Mr. Powers VS.
onsly opposed and succeeded III u'io'''
MR.. POwERSS LETTER
The letter read as follows:
Mr. w p. Knowles. Richmond va.
No. s,r-As citizen OF Richmond .
- aeon interest in everything Vio'
Concerns her welfare. l have always "
,,o,ea that she should own heI o"-.
works electric-light plant anu ,t,al
''.ori,s I believe, with an econoi'liOoN
NolN .ao..d,t Of them. they would prove
. .''' source of much profit. l notice III 1no
60 81 Yesterday certain figures Iela- .
90 =, me pas-works. which IL ci"i''S
=. w 80 obtairSd from the AUDITOR COO no
Receipts FOR 1895 ......'''.''''''' 19t ooT II
disbursements ........ '''''''''''
Net gain for 1895 .......'.'''' 80, 60 ,ey 70
peceints for 1896 ........''.''''''' 50 cox %
disbursements ......'.' .'''''''''
Not gain for 1896 ..........'.. o,.o D-..' -
~, oae &c a. favor Of 1896. This seems
" GOOD showing for your aoiiillils
Zen n the above figures are COZ 10 -
st.,n ,,o,, nlease inform me II they az,
-, much was expended each yea'
e'N .>,,rs and permanent Improvements,
on -, much likely will be neces
.tts vear for repairs and permanent -
movements; how much OF tne IL. cor
rece,nts were charged 10 Une - -
uobtine streets and public puiu'ne9' - ~,
anv other information that you ena1c,al
- 90 Give me relative 10 the lIlaiiO'.'i
condition of the City Gas-N olAS'
Ing you IN HuNuhN0' w POWERS.
Very truly, H.
January 6. 1881
SHOULD NOT BE LEASED.
-. ,ou,a-s was seen by a Dispatch re-
- 1ost night. and was asked 10 So
,.io,,'s on the proposed lease lie san
I'M oefer made several days ago ii -,
noirion was one which the COu ~
. ~ not entertain for moment ~
saSancs-sheet shows profit IN vi, ~
,nonths of nearly $4,000, ana the oi,ei r,pe
S,o aon Quarterly Is manifestly absurd -
orlra should not be leased, IN MY o,ls -
a., unless the city receives a sum h"' T.,
.han y75 coo. and possibly A0'NV casn ~ -,
s,,o,co and 10000 600 cubic feet "a So
Co. Iiehtlng her streets and pubic pu"u-
-, Iven then ] would not consent "
,asse unless such restrictions were III
,soa a. would protect her in every way
~ &C to the character Of gas 10 De lu'
nssbed and the price TO be charseu' 49,
iiis, also ensure the works being KEEP
,r Good order. / think BOND shoulu
',,,,or ~ sufficient amount 10 ensure TIC
-, against loss. so that when the ledse
vS,ree the works could be returned ~
the CITY in the same condition thal '"0'
we're when she leased them. ,s
~uowever." said Mr.. Powers, there Il
o,-rl,,telv no sense in the city CouilOn
- committees wasting lime in the con-
siaeration of the matter until the ques-
tion has been submitted to the people
THE REVENUE WILL INCREASE
Mr. Branch r. Allen, member OF tn'
Committee on Light, said that the pros
nects of the increase in the revenues VI
the gas-works are very pronounced am
The nlant is in better condition now thar