The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-30
THE QUESTION
OF ELECTROLYSlS
CONTINUED from First Page)

arguing from legal STANDPOINT, riddled
the ordinance now in force.
Mr. Winston said he would not vote
for the ordinance in its present form
Mr.. Boiling suggested that it should
be repealed. and "A resolution adopted
that the railway companies should 10
held RESPONSIBLE for all leakages OF cleo
tricity calculated to cause eloctroysis.
Mr. Trafford said that In such case
the companies had better use mules as a
motive power
After some further discussion Mr.. Mills
moved that the report should be received
and submitted TO the Water Committee
without recommendation. His motion
was adopted
GENERAL COMMITTEE
The General Committee on Water met
al 7:45 o'clock. Mr. c. w Tanner CHAIR
mani presiding and present Messrs.
Winston. Whittet Mills and Cutchins
Mr.. Winston on behalf of the sub
committee. presented The report Of super
intendent Boiling IN regard 10 electricity
sis, and the same was read.
Mr. Boiling spoke I'm favor Of his sug-
gestion that an expert be employed to
ascertain the damage done 20 water and
gas pipes by reason Of the aforesaid
electrolysis. Such an inspection I'm Day.
ton. Ohio. said Mr. Boiling. had cost
about Sl.lo0 and the city had done the
excavatng. lie thought II would cost
Richmond about $500. besides the exca-
waiting
Mr. Winston said that he thought the
report was a good one. but that the
method OF bonding should be left entirely
20 the electric companies. which should
be held responsible for all damage The
present ordinance he said. specified
what kind Of bond the companies should
use. and at the same time held them re-
sponsible for all damage. lie di1 not re-
gard this as fair by any means.
Mr. Mills. also, said that he thought IL
unfair to dictate the bond the companies
should use. and then hold them RESPONSE
BILE II its working was not satisfactory
After further discussion Mr.. Cutchins
moved that the report be received and
filed. which motion was adopted. the
understanding being that the ordinance
on the subject should be amended
on motion OF Mr.. Mills the committee
decided 20 appoint a subcommittee 4ot
three 10 prepare a new ordinance on the
subject. with the assistance of the City
Engineer.
Mr. Boiling called attention 70 the
fact that neither OF the companies had
complied with the ordinance requiring
certain bonding. and said they should be
reported for the violation.
Mr. Cutchins and Mr.. Mills both
thought action on this point should be
,suspcnded until the ordinance was
amended They thought 1t would not be
the proper thing 10 punish the companies
for noncompliance with the provisions
of an ordinance which the committee IT.
self had decided was improper, and
should ne amended.
Captain 4. b. Guigcn went over the
ground that he had covered before the
subcommittee. covering II more fully
from a legal point Of view. The speaker
showed that the delay in the work on
Seventh stree. had been caused first by
the expectation that the the company
would be allowed 20 take up its Bank
street tracks. and. second. because the
rails could not be obtained. Work had
been begun. however. he said and would
be resumed as soon as the Street Com
mittee. which had stopped Il. would allow
it 10 proceed. lie did not think that the
the company should be punished in law
or in justice.
IT move" said Mr.. Winston. that
we proceed against both companies for
not having tried TO prevent electrolysis."
AN UNFAIR ORDINANCE.
Mr.. Cutchins said. and Mr.. Mills agreed
with him. that the ordinance made It the
duty OF the superintendent 10 sec that
the ordinance was complied with. He
did not propose he said. 10 vote 10 take
the burden on his own shoulders as
member of the committee. Mr.. Whittet
also endorsed this view. Mr.. Winston
then withdrew his motion. leaving the
Superintendent free 10 act as the ordin-
ance on the subject directs.
Mr.. Mills then brought up again the
question OF employing an expert To make
a survey OF the damage due 10 electro
lysis, as recommended by Mr.. Boiling
Mr.. Cutchins moved that the COM
mittee recommend that the survey be
made. and that the Light and Fire De-
partments be asked 10 write and share
the expense. The motion was adopted
Mr. Mills presented n petition asking
for an amendment to the ordinance al
lowing city water 10 the Richmond Union
Stock Yards Company. whereby the route
followed by the pipes along the Hermit
tage road. and that plug be established
so that the Roesenegk Brewing Company
can be furnished water In case OF nre.
The amendment was approved by the
committee
The Superintendent reported balances
To the credit Of each department mat
OF Marshall Reservoir being five cents.
let that go back TO the treasury
said n member.
on recommendation OF the Superinten-
dent the committee ordered that water
metre bills be made out on the same date
each month as gas bills.
Mr.. Boiling presented his estimate OF
the needs OF the department for the en-
suing year. which included $4,000 for the
purchase OF metres and $500 for expert
ments I'm filtering the river water. The
estimate was recommended TO the FL
nance Committee.
Chairman Tanner appointed on the sub
committee TO draft new ordinance on
the electrolysis question Messrs. Cutchins.
Winston and Whittet. The committee
then. n. $50 o'clock. adjourned.
TO CLEAN THE STREETS.
The Committee on Health met at 7:3o
o'clock. with Messrs. HObson. Gibson.
Dunohoe. Camp. Burton. Cutchins, Seay
and Grimes present. The bills OF the
department were ordered 10 be paid. The
b-Committee on Street Sweepers re-
ported that the new sweeper which
was tested a few days ago. was unsatis-
factory.
The Stable Committee was instructed
TO purchase mules. harness. and feed to