Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-27
GUARD AGAINST ELECTROLYsIs.
Special Committee Want Noit'
Meter and a City Electrician.

The subcommittee Of the Committee
on Water. appointed TO consider the ac-
ton of the electric railway tracks on the
city water pipes, met in the City Han
last night. Thercommlttee is composed
of Messrs. Mills, Cutchins, and Donohoe
but only the two first-named were pres
ent Mr.. Philip b. SHIELD represented
the Traction Company, but no some APP
peared for the Richmond Railway ana
Electric Line.
Superintendent Boiling stated that the
injury done 10 the pipes by the electric
currents was growing to an alarming
extent. The pipes at Seventh and Frank
lin streets had been practically destroyed,
said Mr. Boiling and he went at length
into an explanation of the meaning and
effects OF electrolysis. and its possible
preventiyes and remedies. He recon-
mended very strongly the adoption OF
double wires. Members Of the water
works repairing force were questioned,
and cited instances where they had re-
paired the pipes at intervals OF seven
months.
City-Attorney Pollard replying to Mr.
Mills. said that the railroad companies
were clearly responsible for the damage.
SUPERINTENDENT Boiling stated that tests
made showed that the water pipes were
both positive and negative to the street.
car rails on Broad street, and that test
made with the mule-car tracks showed
that mild current was passing along
them. a fact which he attributed to the
crossing of the tracks by the electric
roads at Seventh and Broad streets and
elsewhere.
SHOULD HAVE GENERAL TESTS.
Superintendent Thompson. of the Fire
Alarm Department, gave the committee
some information. and said he did not
think any practical electrician would
deny the existence of such thing as
clectrolysis. He spoke of the necessity
for q good. solid contact with the rails,
In order to return the electricity TO the
dynamo. and suggested that tests should
be made all over the city. superintendent
Boiling advocated the adoption Of the
suggestions and said a sufficiently deli
cate meter to make the test would cost
S75. Hitherto both companies had paid
the bills for damages, in compliance with
the terms OF, the ordinance governing the
matter, but the Richmond Railway and
Electric Company had ignored letter
sent 10 them Two weeks ago calling their
attention TO the condition Of the Seventh
street pipe. and notifying them that they
would be expected TO make the necessary
repairs.
There was some discussion as to the
ACCESSIBILITY of creating an electric COM
mittee TO deal with such large questions.
Mr.. Cutchins moved that the commit
tee should be recommended 10 ask for an
appropriation 10 purchase a volt meter to
discover the presence of electrolysis; that
the adoption of an ordinance creating the
position of City Electrician should be
urged. and that the ordinance of Janu-
airy %. 1896. should be rigdly enforced.
This was adopted.
OTHER COMMITTEES
The Committee on Claims and Salaries
met at 7:30 o'clock last night. with
Messrs. Zimmerman (chairman), Nc
Carthy. ana Mills present.
A claim made by Mr.. Felthaus for $l.25
damages to window, caused by sheep
Jumping through IL. was considered. The
animal was not claimed by any one, and
was afterwards sold by the city authori-
ties for si50 The claim was allowed
and the committee adjourned.
The Committee on Accounts and Print
ing will meet tonight at ESQ O'Clock,
and the Committee on Finance Will meet
at 1880