The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-30
Messrs. Guigon and Traford Appear
and Argue the Matter.
METHOD OF STREET CLEANING
The Plan Presented by a Sub Commit
ttee Adopted by the Health Com
mittee With Some Amendments.
a Long Discussion Over IL.
Work of the Other
Committees.

absorbing theme for more than three
hours last night, the matter being dealt
with at length by subcommittee OF tho
Committee on Water. and also by the
fun committee.
The conclusion finally reached was that
the ordinance on the subject is an un-
fair one. since It prescribes the means
that the electric companies shall en-
poy to prevent the evil. but at the
same time holds them responsible ier
the inefficiency OF those means.
The outcome OF the matter was tho
appOintmcut OF a subcommittee 10 iratt
a new ordinance, which Will be presehted
TO the Council at its next meeting, ana
which it is understood will leave the
companies free as 10 the means TO be
employed. but will hold them responsible
Tor the result.
CLEANING THE STREETS.
The Street Committee. also, was en-
gagged until late hour in considering
the plan presented bly, a subcommittee,
consisting OF Messrs. Camp, Burton. and
Donahoe. rc-organizing the Health De
partment. The plan was adopted after
"A few amendments. and Will so into
effect January lst.
Messrs. Winston and Mills, OF the Com
mittee on Electfolyss met al O'Clock.
Superintendent Boiling and the represen-
tatives Of the street railway companies
were also present.
Mr. Boiling, in submitting the follow
ing report spoke at some length Of the
inroads and electrolyiis. and the serious
consequences that must ensue unless
some effective measures are taken TO
arrest it. The report was as follows:
MIR. BOLLINGs REPORT.
''Since the appointment OF the Sub
Committee on Electrolysis several tests
with a volt meter have been made, 10
ascertain the quantity. Or learn the fact,
that there was a flow OF electricity along
the water mains In many Instances TIE
nine was found to be positive TO the ran
from one TO five volts, and IN one or two
instances, when car was IN thc
Immediate vicinity namely on Seventh
street between Grace and Franklln
streets) the pipe was positive TO the ran
twenty volts Besides these tests, tho
departmental has had 60 make repairs To
lead services on several occasions, whlch
were destroyed by electrolysis. We need
no further proof OF the danger ana DAM
age now going on. SO long as We have
operation. this menace TO our gas and
water mains will continue. IL VIII only
be entirely removed lin my opinion,
when the electric roads are operated by
the double trolley system. and the Gu
rent is not returned - the generators by
means OF the rails. The careful compli-
ance with the requirements OF the ordi-
nance on electrolysis will greatly reduce
the chances Of injury To the gas ana
water mains and their connections. but
even after these provisions have been
carried out, constant examination should
be made for the discovery Of any defec-
tive bonding, and leakage or escape OF
the current TO the mains. Up 10 this
time the examination and tests have, IN
nearly all cases been made where there
were leaks IA the supply pipes, made
known by the water showing itself on the
surface | am confident there must be
number OF leaks which have not be-
trayed themselves. and In many places
that both the pipes and connections have
been seriously damaged. which have not
Vet been shown up. Especially do l be-
lieve that the house connections have
been seriously affected along the line
OF streets upon which the trolley roads
are operated. when IL is remembered that
for a. long time the rails were unbonded.
and that large proportion OF the pres
ent tracks are OF the Hat rails. which
cannot be properly bonded.
SERIOUS INJURY.
The existing conditions not only means
a serious injury 10 very valuable pro-
per-,ies OF the city. but II means. the
possible failure or breaking OF wtsr
main at the time OF fire and serious
loss 10 private property.
| would respectfully recommend that
careful survey and examination of our
gas and water system be made by an
expert electrician and metallurgfst. and
a report submitted. stating what the
damage Is, and the cost Of repairing the
same. and then that responsibility for
the damage. and cost be placed upon
those to whom II belongs.
Especially is II important that the pres
ent companies operating roads here.
should be made at once TO carry out the
provisions OF the ordinance. and present
as far and AZ quickly as possible the
damage now existing.
Respectfully.
C. r. BOILING.
Captain Alex. p Guigon, counsel for the
Richmond Railway and Electric Com
pany. made a statement In he course Of
which he assured the committee that no
effort would be spared TO put the sev-
enth street line In order AT once. lis
expressed the hope that the committee
would not proceed 10 enforcs any penalty
without giving tho componv reasonable
opportunity 10 comply with the terms Of
TIE ordinance There had been some de-
lay caused through the inability to So
sure the girder rails but this had been
overcome and the company was prepared
20 push the work forward with all pos
sble speed.
Mr. Winston. chairman OF the commft-
tee. spoke very emphatcally against the
granting Of further time. He was une-
ouivocally IN favor Of enforcing The terms
of the ordinance There was some desui-
tory debate leading rp 10 the QUESTION:
ing OF Mr. Tranor5. electrical expert ana
engineer. through which II was developed
that the system OF bonding prescribed by
the ordinance was altogether Inadequate.
He stated very positively that eiectrc-
,vsls could not be prevented by the meth
ods and plans laid down in the ordinance
Mir Guison took the matter up. an