Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-30
A WEAK ORDINANCE.
ELEcrRoLYsIs MEASURE UNsATIs-
FACTORY-wrLL BE REPEALED.
SURVEY May BIZ MADE
Water Department Wants Others to
Unite-supt. Boiling May Proceed
New system OF strcet-CIennfng.

The Committee and subcommittee on
Water suffered four-hours' traffic OF the
electrolysis-question last night. The de-
bate on this all-important issue differed
in many respects from those which Rave
preceded It, for its intricacies have be-
come more familiar. and there wa some
tangible result Of the discussion.
1t was clearly demonstrated that the
existing ordinance does not meet the
present situation. II provides for the use
Of a certain bond for street-railway lines,
and then inhicts a penalty IL lec..'olysis
is found to exist. Electrical experts have
declared that these bonds are altogether
inadequate, and the injustice OF the pen
atty in such a case needs no demonstra-
ton. Electricians criticised the tee lnicai
part of the ordinance, and Mr.. Guigon,
OF counsel for the Richmond Railway and
Electric Company, dwsit upon rs legal
structure. a motion that proceod''igs
should be instituted against both stree
railway companies for not having tried
to prevent electTolysis fell 10 the ground,
as some members Of tho committee de-
clined to accept such responsibility, ana
the whole burden was thrown upon me
Superntsndents shoulders, Hho is EN-
powered by ordnance to act in such
case.
The report Of the Superintendent
framed for the Electrolysis sub-Commit-
tee, was received and filed, until such time
as a survey shall have been made to
ascertain the extent Of the damage done
by electrolysis. 1t is proposed that the
cost of this survey shall be born Jointly
by the departments of water, light, ana
fire.
SUP'T BOLLINGS REPORT.
The Superintendents report, which IS as
follows. was discussed at great length by
the subcommittee:
Since the appointment Of the sub-com-
mittee on electrolysis several tests with
a volt meter have been made TO ascertain
the quantity or learn the fact that there
was a flow OF electricity along the water
mains In many instances the pipe was
found to be positive 10 the rail from one
to five volts, and i'm one or two instances,
when a car was in the immediate vicinity
(namely, on Seventh street between Grace
and Franklin Streets, the pipe was posi-
tive 10 the rail twenty volts. Besl0es
these tests the department has had 10
make repairs to lead services on several
occasions, which were destroyed by cleo
troysis We need no further proof OF the
danger and damage now going on. 30
long as we have the single overhead troll
ley system in operation this menace to
our gas and water mains Will continue.
Ii will only be entirely removed On my
opinion) when the electric roads are ope-
rated by the double trolley system, ana
tho current is not returned 70 the genera,
tors by means Of the rails. The careful
compliance with the requirements or the
ordinance on electrolysis will greatly re-
duce tho chances of injury to the gas and
water mains and their connections, Out
even after these provisions have been car
ried out constant examination should be
made for the discovery or any detecuVe
bonding and leakage or escape or the
current 10 the mains. Up 10 this time
the examination and tests have IN nearly
all cases been made where there were
leaks in the supply pipes. made known by
tho water showing itself on the surface.
PIPES AND CONNECTIONS INJURED.
81 am confident there must be number
of leaks which have not betrayed them
selves, and in many places that botn the
pipes and connections nave been serious
Is damaged which have rot yet been
shown up. Especially do ! believe that
the house connections have been seriously
affected along the line Of streets upon
which the trolley roads are operated.
where il is remembered that Tor long
large proportion of the present tracks are
of the fiat rails, which cannot be proper
" bonded. The existing condition not
only means a serious injury 10 very valu-
able properties Of the city, but II means
the possible failure or breaking OF water
main at the time OF fire and serious loss
to private property.
MUST PAY THE DAMAGE.
At would respectfully recommend that
a careful survey and examination Of our
gas and water system be made by an
expert electrician and metallurgist and
a report submitted stating what the dam
age is and the cost OF repairing the
same. and then that responsibility for |
This damage and cost be placed upon |
those 10 whom II belongs.
ESPECIALLY is II important that the |
present companies operating roads here |
provisions Of the ordinance and prevent. |
as far and as quickly as possible, the |
damage now existing. Respectfully;
&C. +. BOILING"
THE SEVENTH STREET LINE.
Captain A. Il. Guigon. counsel for the |
Richmond Railway and Electric Company |
made a statement. i'm the course OF which |
he assured the committee that no effort |
would be spared to put the Seventh |
street line I'm order at once. He expressed |
the hope that the committee would not |
proceed TO enforce any penalty WITHOUT |
giving the company reasonable oppor- |
tunity 10 comply with the terms OF the |
ordinance. There had been some delay |
caused through the inability 10 secure the
sirder rails. but this had been overcome
and the company was prepared 10 push |
the work forward with all possible speed. 4
Mr.. Winston, chairman Of the commit
tee. spoke very emphatically against the
granting OF further time. He was UNI
In favor Of enforcing the |
terms Of the ordinance. There was some
lesultory { bate leading up TO the ques-
tioning of Mr.. Trafford, electrical expert
and engineer. through which IL was de
yeloped that the system OF bonding pre-
5cribed by the ordinance was altogether
He stated very positively that electro
ysis could not be prevented by the meth
DDS and plans laid down in the ordinance.
Mr. Guigon took the matter up. and
arguing from legal standpoint. fairly
-iddled the ordinance now in force.
Mr.. Winston said he would not vote for
he ordinance in its present form.
HOLD COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE.
Mr.. Boiling suggested that it should be
and a resolution adopted that
he railway companies should be held re-