Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-02
THE RICHMOND DISPATCH FRIDAY DECEMBER 2. 1898.
AN UNPAID GAS BILL.
COL. ANDERSON DISCUSSES MATTER
BEFORE COUNCIL COMMITTEE.
COME OUT OF REGIMENT FUND.
At Least, II VIII, When Approved.
ne Presented to the Auditor for
T"yment-The Gas Trouble Rene
died-Move for Cleaner streets.

Ihere were n number Of Council com
mittee meetings held yesterday. The
committee on Grounds and buildings
Tried to fix the liability for a gas bill o.
SiSo incurred by the Regimental Armory
and Colonel Anderson made an interest
ing statement regarding the $500 which
now stands TO the credit of the First
Regiment. The report Of the sub-com-
mittee on Engineer Callers delinquency
was presented. and further consideration
postponed until both parties concerned
could be present.
The committee assembled at 7:45 o'clock,
Chairman Marx Gunst presiding, and
present Messrs. King, West, Lawder
Heeke, Ferriter, and Snead.
THE COAL QUESTION.
The first question taken up was in re-
gard to the quality OF the coal furnished
to the City Hall for use in the furnaces.
MIR. West one of those who went down
to inspect the coal stated that he had
no report to make, as a quorum OF the
committee had not been present. and mis-
visit was in no way official. Colonel Cut
shaw suggested that a thorough inspec-
ton be made before any action was taken.
Colonel G. Percy Halves, on behalf of
). IL. Halves 81 Co, said mis- firm would
be glad for a representative of the city
10 inspect the coal before ii was put in
the vaults of the City Hall. He was of
opinion that the trouble arose from the
hremen using all the lump coal first
On motion of Mr.. West, it was deter
mined TO make an inspection after the
next delivery of coal, as he did not think
1t would be just to the coal firm to in
spect the coal at present in the vaults.
The matter will be looked into next Mon
day afternoon at 4SO o'clock.
THE ARMORY GAS BILL
Colonel George Wayne Anderson. Of the
First Regiment, appeared before the
committee in reference to a bill OF $3.50
for gas, which the regiment had been
requested by the committee to pay, il
being a portion Of the amount due for
gas consumed at the Armory. Colonel
Anderson said he did not think the reg!-
ment should be asked TO pay this bill.
In the first place, 1t had no money; the
fund of q little more than $1,000 in bank
to its credit being pledged for the gray
uniforms ordered just before the break
ing out of the war, and second, because
sumed by companies which did not belong
TO the First Regiment, and which were
In the service of the United States. He
stated further, that the consumption OF
gas had taken place before he assumed
command OF the regiment. There was
absolutely no money, he said, except hair
of the annual appropriation made by the
city. which the Auditor had declined 20
pay TO him. and which he was unwilling
to attempt to collect by law.
The City Engineer suggested that the
bill be paid out Of the $3.50 due the regi-
ment from the city.
But / haven't got that" said Colonel
Anderson. 1.-THE Auditor refused to pay IL
to me. / don't know what his reason was.
He was not very clear, and l must say,
not very courteous. Even If l had this
fund. it has been pledged to the uniform
fund"
After considerable further discussion a
motion offered by Mr.. King was adopted
to the effect that the City engineer ascer-
tain the exact amount Of the bill, and that
Colonel Anderson be then requested 10
approve the same, after which 1t Will be
presented to the Auditor, with request
that ne pay it out of the $500 fund men
toned.
The committee did not like this action,
however, GeCODSlutItu IL, anu
to lay the whole thing be.ore the Coun-
ell. Colonel Anderson stated before taking
his leave that he expected to resign very
shortly. The discussion consumed an en-
tire hour.
WANT THEIR PAY RESTORED.
A petition was received from the park
keepers Of the city TO restore their sala-
ries to $3.50 per day, the same having been
reduced TO SG5 per month. On motion OF
Captain Ferriter, the petition was re-
to the Council.
Mr. Heeke reported that the sub-com-
mittee appointed TO look into the matter
Of the debt owed by City-Hall Engineer
Calder TO Mrs. Francis had held a meet
ing, and that both parties interested had
appeared before 1t, but that ii had been
found impossible TO make any arrange
nent between them. Mr.. Calder, he said,
lad since told him that he had been un-
able 10 reach any agreement with Mrs.
Francis. The subcommittee. therefore,
desired to submit the question without
recommendation.
On motion of Mr.. West, the matter
vas postponed until the next regular
Meeting, at which time both Mr.. Calder
md Mrs Francis will be requested to be
present
The Gas supply Better Now.