Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-26
WILL GO TO ELMLRA.
THE WATER COMMITTEE OF THE
COUNCIL so DECIDED.
SPECIAL MEETING CALLED.
The Committee Decides to Have One
About September 0th-The Subject
OF Meters Discussed at Length
other Committees.

will so to Elmira, n. Y. for the purpose
Of making an inspection of the plant in
| use there for the filtration of the city's
water supply.
The committee last night received from
Mr.. S. l.. Morrison, general manager or
the New York Filter Company. which put
In the Elmira plant an invitation to
! come and inspect 1t, and while ii was
not officially accepted, nearly all the
members Of the committee expressed
themselves in favor of doing so. The
committee will make the trip.
At the meeting OF the committee last
| night the subject OF the publication OF
the water supply was considered, but not
very fully. The method Of filtration
which is used by Mr.. Morrison's company
was discussed, and some objection to the
use of alum in the Qualification of water,
which is done by this company, was de-
veloped.
The committee met at 7:s0 o'clock, with
Chairman c. W. Tanner and Messrs. Zim-
hermann, Whittet, Winston. Ferguson,
Mills, Whalen, and Superintendent Boil
Ing present. Mr.. Eugene Davis, Clerk, re-
corded.
PRACTICED ECONOMY.
Superintendent Boiling reported that he
had found 1t necessary to expend only
S1.H of the 500 appropriated at the last
session of the committee for the purpose
OF making certain experiments with a
view to ascertaining the exact conditions
under which filtration of the water supply
would have to be undertaken.
letter from Mr.. Cottrell, of the Street
Sprinkling Company, asking for some re-
duction in the companys water rates,
was laid on the table until the next
meeting
The Chair stated that he had received
a letter from Mr.. Parker, representing an
Artesian-well company, who recently ad-
dressed the committee on the subject of
Artesian wells, saying that he would not
further endeavor to have tho city sink
wells, as he was we'll assured no water
could be gotten here.
SHE WANTED DAMAGES.
The application of a colored woman
for $75 damages for injuries sustained
by falling into a water-ditch was read
Superintendent Boiling said he did not
think the Water Department liable, that
the ditch was not certainly a water
ditch. The application for damages was
approved by the City Attorney. On mo-
dered returned to the City Attorney w.,n
the recommendation that it be referred
to the Council.
The resolution presented by Mr.. Minor
at the last meeting of the Council. max
ing the charge of q cents per 1000
gallons, actual consumption, for family
use, was read, and Mr.. Zimmerman
briefly opposed its adoption, but so
earnestly, that motion to send it back
to the Council without favorable report
was promptly made, and unanimously
carried.
Superintendent Boiling reported con-
siderable difficulty in securing cheap
water-meters. He had tested meters
made by various firms and none had
proven satisfactory, it being impossible
to get one which would measure the
smallest stream.
Mr. zimmerman urged that the city
have put in meters wherever practicable.
Their use had proven highly satisfactory,
and he wanted to see them used where
ever possible.
METERS FOR FASHIONABLES.
superintendent Boiling said he was
anxious 10 have meters put in house I'm
the fashionable districts. Many house
holders in these sections have lawn
sprinklers running sometimes eight
hours day. He thought meters should
be put in these houses just as soon as
all low points had been supplied.
Mr.. Winston moved that the city adj
vertise for bids from firms furnishing
meters, but on a suggestion from Mr.
Zimmerman, withdrew the motion, and
one made by Mr.. Mills, that the Superin-
tendent be instructed 10 endeavor to OBJ
tain lower prices from firm5 manufacture
ing meters, was carried.
At his request, superintendent Boiling
was granted permission to take up the
old 3-inch pipe on Cary street, from
Ninth to Thirteenth. and substitute
therefor a 6-inch iron pipe. Mr.. Boiling
stated that this old pipe was probably
one of the first ever laid in Richmond.
AS TO WATER SUPPLY.
After the completion OF the foregoing
routine business the Chair asked the
members TO say something on the sub
ject Of water filtration. The subject
had been talked of so much. lately he
felt IL would be improper for the COM
mittee TO adjourn without discussing IL.
Superintendent Boiling read a cOmmuni-
cation from Mr.. S. l.. Morrison, general
manager of the New York Filter Com
pany, inviting the committee to come 10
Elmira, n. Y. and see their filter I'm
operation there He also offered to send a
Neutrality-suspicious. filter here for
experimental purposes, the city to pay
freight charges from and TO Philadelphia.
MUST co SLOWLY.
Mr.. Boiling urged the committee to go
slowly. Nothing could be done to give
early relief The people, no matter what
system of filtration were adopted, must
drink muddy water for a long while. He
thought il well to have meeting of the
committee for the sole purpose OF dis
cussing the subject
The Chair stated that Professor Hun
ter, who fills the Chair of Chemistry at
Richmond College, was now in Boston
and had stated before leaving that ne
was going TO study the subject carefully
while away.
The desutory discussion developed the
fact that there Is considerable opposition
to the use of alum for filtering purposes.
A member of the committee said a gen
tleman of his acquaintance had told him
of a filter which made water, apparently |
as muddy as that of the James, perfectly
clear. Data as TO this filter will be fur |
nished the committee.
BY tacir consent the hartman will call |
a meeting Of the committee in a short |
time for the purpose of considering the |
whole subject of water Qualification.
On motion OF Mr. zimmerman, il was
ordered that a report be made TO tho |
Council to the effect that the committee |
had not yet been able to secure informa- |
ton upon which TO base an intelligent |