Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-21
CAUSE OF IMPURE GAS
THE LIGHT COMMITTEE INvEsT1-
GATES 1T AND TAKES ACTION.
QUANTITY OF NlPHTHA CONDEMNED.
Report of the Chemist-Electricni
Committee Ordinance and the FIRE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES presents
fnr AmhuInnCe SurEeOnH.
for Ambulance Surgeons.

The Council Committee on Light met al
the Lower Gas-Works yesterday AFTER
noon TO take action in regard TO the I'M
pure gas which was lately manufactures
There was a very thorough M rather
lengthy Investigation, and the various
processes were duly explained. The re-
suit Of this investigation, coupled WIN
the tests submitted by DR.. James NJ
Whitfield, chemist, was that the com-
mittee determined that the fault lay en-
tirely with the naptha of a very INFERIOR
quality that had been used, and ordered
the Standard Oil Company 10 remove the
naptha from the works, refusing TO ac-
cept it.
In addition to the figures Of the analysis
the chemists report contains the iollo"-
ing statement; ,rtoce
"The grease that floats on the surface
Of the water in the gas is a mixture VI
substances volatlliZing a high tempo'd-
ture. and condensing easily. Ihese SAM
substances, If carried by the stream Vi
gas into the purifiers containing HOh
oxide burnt pyrites), will gum the oA'uy'
coating its surface, rendering IL lncapdole
of removing sulphur from the gas pass
ing over It,"
Tending naptha on hand at the present
time.
The Superintendent was Instructed 10
put the whole of his coal gas plant III
operation, and continue the same uhtll
the further order of the committee
Members of the committee present al the
meeting were Messrs. Wallerstein, chalr-
man: Ferrlter, CARRIER, HardWlcke, Shed'
Seay, and Tanner.
CODIFICATION OF CITY ORDINANCES
The Committee on Ordinances met in
the City Hall last night, with Messrs'
Bloomberg. Cutchius, and Winston pres
ent. The resolution providing FOR the CO
dincation Of the city ordinances WhlCh
was approved by the Mayor last Weeh'
was referred by the committee 70 the '-ily
AttOruev. with instructions 20 prepare a
contract and bond in accordance thero-
with. Mr.. Carlton Mccarthy, VINO Is 10
do the work. was present, with Colohei
Spence. Of the United states fldcllly anu
Guaranty Company as security.
The report of the subcommittee on
Electricity was submitted and read. Presl-
dent %Frischkorn, Of the Board of Fire
Commissioners. stated that the ordinance
creating the committee would be accept
able TO the board, II the proviso Tor a
Council committee were struck out, ana
the committee were placed under the ILL
rection and control of the Board Of FIRE
commissioners. The board, he SAID would
be I'm a better position 10 deal with mat
ters electrical than a Council committee
the membership Of which would be sub
ject to change every TWO years
q period which he thought was
hardly long enough for a man
to become familiar with the ques-
tons that might arise. The members Of
the Fire Commission, he said, were IN
closer contact with the electrician, and
altogether better informed in such mat
ters.
THE ELECTROLYSIS PROBLEM.
There was a lengthy discussion Of the
question, which led up 20 the electrolysis
problem, which IS assuming a formidable
sh1pe. and to the condition OF the cleo
tric wires in the City Hall, which, through
long dlsuse. were being slowly de-
stroved. There was some talk Of
the cost OF an electric plant for the hall
which would supply light and run the
elevators. superintendent Thompson, OF
the Fire Alarm Department, who Is also
the city electrician. placed the estimate
for such q plant at 5000.
The whole matter was finally referred
to a subcommittee for careful considera-
ton and report.
Relief of the Poor.
The Committee on Relief OF the Poor
met In the City Hall last night with the
following members present: Messrs. Cot
trell chairman Drewry. Gunst, HObsOn,
Snead. Teefey. and Smith.
There was very little business Of Inn
pOrtauce, though there was a brief and
lively discussion over a suggestion Of
superintendent Davis, that an appropria-
ton should be made for the purchase OF
storm oyercoats for the ambulance sur
geons. In making this suggestion, he
warmly eulogizcd the surgeons for their
faithfulncss and their efficiency, and the
coats, he thought, just as this time, par
ticularly, would be a happy way or
showing the doctors how much their SER
vices were appreciated.
There was some opposition 10 the pro-
position, based on similar lines TO the
objections made last year, ana inasmuch
as it would not be possible to make an
appropriation from the funds in control
Of the committee before the end of the
fiscal year, it was decided to recommend
10 the Council that an appropriation be
made for the purpose.
Mr.. Gunst was appointed q sub-com-
mittee on rules for the ambulance. The
contract for supplying the almshouse
with beef was awarded To John T.. Graz
wins, whose bid was $40 per 100 pounds.
Superintendent Thompson submitted a
written report, upon request, TO the effect
that an electric plant for the almshOuse
would cost $500. The report was re-
ceived and filed,
The payroll was approved and ordered
TO be paid, together with several bills,
and the committee adjourned.
The Committee on Accounts and Print
ing will meet I'm special session next
Thursday evening at 8 o'clock 10 award
contracts for the year for printing, bind
ing, and advertising.