Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-11


Mr. A. b. Clarke, president Of the Nall
Works Company, was granted the priVl-
lege Of the floor, and explained that his
reason for not appearing before the
lower branch was that he did not know
OF the matter in time 10 do so. He con-
tended that the city's contract with the
James River and Kanawha Canal Com
pany only permitted the city to use the
water for its own pump-works, ana the
city could not. without violating its con-
tract, give this power 10 others. MI
Clarke asserted that at times the river
did not furnish sufficient power to run
the Belle Isle Works. and his several
hundred employees would be, Tor the
time being thrown out of employment
If more water Is taken from the river
above his Ohe Belle Isle, dam, his works
would be forced to suspend during the
summer months Messrs. Carter and
Allen questioned Mr. Clarke at some
length concerning the effect the diversion
of river water would have upon his plant.
Mr. Cutchins said he would like TO know
what the water proposed to be gwen 10
Mr. HOodley was worth. lie thought
when the proposition was first made, the
city would get $500 for waste water,
but now he began to realize that the
water was worth something, and he
would ike to know now mucn.
MR.. GUIGON TALKS.
Mr. A. b. Guigon, counsel for the pro-
mOters of the compressed air scheme,
was granted the privilege Of the floor,
and told of the great industry it was
proposed to establish here He asserted
it as his belief that 5000 was a very
liberal sum to pay for the privilege asked
for and he thought 1t would be UNI
reasonable for the city TO ask more.
The Board concurred by unanimous
vote.
The Board concurred in an ordinance
granting the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
road the right to build a track to the
Ballard Company's storehouse.
RETAIN THEIR POSITIONS.
The resolution providing for the reten-
ton of positions Of the city officials or
employees who desire to volunteer in the
United States army or navy, was read.
Mr.. Hardewicke opposed the resolution
on the ground that the present Council
could not hold the positions open for
volunteers, as it died by limitation within
one month. He moved 10 table the reso-
luton and Mr.. Allen made an eloquent
talk in behalf of the resolution. He
spoke of the patriotism Of Nirginians,
and expressed the hope that the Council
would never place any OBSTACLE III the
way of patriotic citizen who desired to
fight for his country. Mr. Allen was lis
tened TO with close attention, and when
he concluded the resolution was con-
Cured in, Messrs. Cutchins and Harde-
wicke alone voting in the negative.
THE HALF HOLIDAY NATTER.
The ordinance providing for closing the
city offices and ceasing work in the
Health and Street departments at 2 p.
NJ. on Saturdays, was taken up. and Mr..
Allen moved that the resolution be
amended so as to include all city en-
ployees. He was asked If he proposed to
give half holiday to the police, the fire.
men, and the gas-wOrks' employees, and
replied that he meant to include all. He
didn't believe i'm giving any Of the en-
ployees half holiday. but If one was
given it all should have il. Mr.. Allen
moved to refer the matter to the Com
mittee on Retrenchment. This motion,
as well as his amendment, was lost, and
the resolution was concurred in by a
vote Of IL to 4.
The ordinance providing for the pur-
chase of a lot for the home Of Steamer
Company No. 5, was recommitted TO the
Committee on Finance. with authority
to report TO either branch.
The Board adjourned n few minutes
after midnight.