The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-06
| THE MUNICIPAL
DEPARTMENTS.
Good Showings Made in Spite Of the
Small Appropriations.
WATER METER PLAN W0RKSWELL
A Large sum Of Money Saved the City
While the Present Water Plant Is
Equal 10 the Demand-Reports
For the Past Year.

The annual reports for 1897 of the heads
OF the various departments OF the city
government which we're presented TO the
Common Council last Monday night.
make a good showing In view OF the COM
parativeiy small appropriations allowed
as a result OF the retrenchment move
ment.
The recommendations made In the past
years as to needed Improvements, which
had not been earned out for the lack Of
funds, have been reiterated in nearly
every instance, but for similar reasons
they will have to be put of for at least
one more year. The departments which
suffered the most during the year on
account OF the stringency Of the financial
affairs of the city were those Of the City
Engineer and the Health Department.
Others, however. have made very good
showing. such as the Water, Light and
Fire Departments.
a GOOD PLAN.
The Water Department has again closed
the fiscal year with a surplus which could
be returned into the city treasury. A
systematic introduction Of wafer metres
has shown that they are by no means
a burden TO the water takers, but that
they reduce their bills without depriving
them IN any way Of the use OF water
and that they effectuaily stop the great
waste Of water which heretofore has
been so Justly complained OF. In that
manner. the argument Of those opposed
20 meters has been amply refuted. show
ing that the city does not need more
water mains or additional pumping facl-
tiles. but that its present plant is suiiic-
lent TO provide all the water supply
needed. Al, That will be necessary is TO
continue with the water meters thereby
saving the city the expenditure Of $4,000
in that department alone.
The following are brief extracts from
the reports OF the heads OF the various
departments:
1REAsURER'S REPORT.
The report Of MIR. Charles II. Philips.
the City Treasurer. contains the same
cures - mat II the city Auditor as TO
the receipts and disbursements OF the
city's money during the last fiscal year.
ottdched 10 II. however, Is the following
statement as TO the receipts and dis
bursements OF the sinking fund:
City Of Richmond on account of
redemption...... ........ ........S li3S36.&
Interest on $1,000. 4 months. 10000
CITY OF Richmond. on account CT
interest...... ........ ......." SsOOsl.ss
Interest on account Of daily bal
ances...... .......... NM. I.oO2.si
Interest on per CT Investment 2s0o00
interest on per CT Investment 3oVJ
Interest on per CT. investment 1,tA-0
interest on per CT. investment 254.3
Interest on per Ct investment ll6i00
city OF Richmond Communication
of culvert tax.................... 1879
Balance from January 3lst. 1897. TSSi.4S
Interest on bonds....t 3i5.IsLlS
Redemption OF bonds. 2OJ.00
investment in per CT,
bonds.... ........ co.. $4,000
Investment in 6 per ct.
bonds...... 49,. ..... slO5OOo
Investment in 5 per ct.
bonds. ........ O.. sl75.O0
Investment in ( per ct.
bonds. ..... ...... 100000
Premium on bonds. 1890
Balance TO Jan. 81, 1898.
In First Nat.
Bank. IS zoos
In Merchants
Nat. Bank. 9i143.09
In City Bank. 8l439 4l75.31