Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-26
THE CoMpnEssED-iIR SCHEME.
Reasons why che Franchise Asee"
for should lie Granted.
Ali - rSqs

Aprn Z, 1870
TO the Editor OF the Dispatch:
From the account In your issue Of the
18th instant Of the joint meeting OF mo
Committees on Str,r'r and Water 10 con-
slider the application " certain persons
for a franchise TO use the surplus wafer
power at inc pump-house Tor coilpI,a7
ing air. thereby furnishing cheap power
for small manufacturers. / gather that
the committees will carefully consldtr
the proposed franchise from every stand
point and viii ultimately grant a iran
chise sufficiently liberal in its terms 10
warrant the erection Of plant aAd YET
thoroughly protect tine city's interests.
II seems 10 me shat the universal COM
mondation which the system has receiN-
ed. the successful operation OF the WoIh-
ing model i'm This city. and the assurances
OF such representative businessmen aa
Mr.. Travcrs and Mr.. Montague, nave SIM
plihed the matter very much, ana lH'I
The sole question TO be determined N'
can the city safely lease IT'S rights 10 lli'
surplus power without fear thdt ~ IVA"
need II before The termination OF the Gun
tract2 understand that the statement
was made at the recent committee ni
ir,, IN. The representative of the proposed
C0mDgNN i4IdI lIt 'iNf ''''
al the New pump-house not over 20 per
cont of tho efficiency of the pumps ana
that This statement went unconirdolet'"
Ly the Superintendent OF Water who was
present. r,o
An that these gentlemen ask for Is the
surplus v.gter-powcr an this point over
and above the total efficiency. ana IL lhe
"a rer cent. Of that total efficiency is an
mat Is needed now by the city, IL Is
reasonable TO suppose that even a fnout-
rate extension Of the meter system VIII
A., least counteftalauce the normal
yrowtb Of the city for the next twenty
wears i'm The matter Of the consumption
~ wafer. should however. by any possi-
buity the consumption of water by inc
CITY amount to- more tnan the toldl ON
cheney of these pumps, without the pan
proposed by these gentlemen, the '''S
woub nave 10 Duild additional pumping
works i'm order 10 utilize the balance o'
its supply 800,
S,,nnosing however. that the city con-
tracts WITH them, as is proposed u WI. y.
h,ye. II if chooses. the right To use ~
nor cent. of their power. which can DE
directed Immediately 10 the pumping oil
water without additional machinery ana
i'm any event the city Will have had S'""
per annum. which II may apply 10 'Ho
ravment Of the interest on the cost oil
such additional plant as may be nec'S-
sarV.
When we see our manufactures IAN
gushing or stopped altogether with inc
sign For Rent" or For Sale on thtH
doors. when We see our largest mills ldIe
and unproductlve on both sides OF the
liver. il is very gratifying to thlnk thd'
this city has an opportunity OF stlunB
mower on such terms as VIII enable il
70 once more come 10 the front az
manufacturing centre.
Bv means Of this power IT can puiId up
numberless small manufacturing estab-
Iisbments. such as employ expert me-
cbanics and are peculiarly remunerauVe
and il can then bc no longer charged that
this city is letting its power 60 10 waste
and that our manufactures consist only
of a few tobacco-factories, mat employ
cheap ana unskilled labor.
1t IS TO be hoped that the city iatheIS
will not allow an excess or conSeiVa-
tism 10 blind them TO such advantages
but will put the city 10 the front
We have been accustomed 10 see IN
our school Biographies that Richmond
situated M the falls Of the James river
was noted for its water-power. Sow,
LET MS see if we cannot change that ana
see that Richmond. situated at the Calls
OF the James river. is noted for its manu-
facturcs. instead Of its waste water
uover. BUSINESSMAN.