The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-28
STREET. H.CLEANING DISCUSSED
The Committee on Health Authorizes The
Purchase Of Two Horses.
TO SWEEP THE THOROUGHFARES.
The Ordinance Providing for the Creation
of a Department of street-Cieaning
Reported Unfayorabiy-W Work OF
the Committee on water.

Ihe committee on DeAilh ucfV'1"
considerable portion Of its time last night
To a discussion Of the bad condition OF the
streets Of the city, to which attention has
been called so pointedly by The Times in
the last few days. The result of the dis
cussion was a practical one. as Dr. W. 1.
Oppenhimer, President Of the Board OF
Health, was, upon his own request en-
powered to purchase a pair Of horses TO
be used in cleaning the unsightly tho
roughfares.
After an animated debate the commit
tee, by a vote OF four to two, decided TO
return to the Board Of Aldermen with the
recommendation That It be rejected the
ordinance providing for the creation Of
a department of street cleaning, and
electing superintendent for the same.
FIGHTING THE MEASURE.
During the discussion on this subject
IL was intmated that members Of the
Street Cleaning force had been fighting
against the measure and asking Councils
men TO vote against IL. This intimation
was denied
The committee was called TO order
shortly after s O'Clock by Chairman Hob
son. there being present Messrs. Haw-
kins, Moore Rountree, Sncad and VIII
liams.
The President of the Board Of Health
was instructed to advertise for bids to
furnish the department with steam coal
The committee also instructed the
President Of the Board of Health to pur-
chase pair OF horses, to be used IN
cleaning the streets.
DR.. Oppenhimer suggested that it would
be "A good thing FOR the committee 10 pre-
pare an ordinance requiring each family
TO provide a measure. composed OF cast
iron. or some other material, Of size
that could be easily lifted by one man,
to receive the ashes and refuse. He call
ed attention 10 the fact that it now re-
duired two men TO lift the barrels that
are now used. which are extremely un-
slightly. He expressed the opinion that
these measures could be secured for about
$125 apiece. and that they would not be
stolen il a suitable penalty were provided
Dr. Oppenhimer was Instructed 10 look
further into the matter and report at the
next meeting.
The condition Of the streets was then
discussed. and Mr.. Hobson said that he
was in favor of the whole street force
being kept employed
when an are at work" said Mr.. Hob
SON. there are but seventy-two men
about one 10 every Il00 inhabitants
Some OF these men don't do work worth
$50 A day. and to do this work success
fully we must get rid OF some of these
men and get others"
THE BAD CONDITIONS.
Mr. Snead said that the city could not
appropriate money enough for the Health
Department TO keep the streets clean in
the present condition OF the paving He
went OH to call attention 10 the very bad
condition Of affairs existing i'm certain
quarters.
The ordinance providing for the crea-
ton Of a Department of Street Cleaning
and removal Of ashes, which has been
pending in the committee for some time
was taken from the table, and Mr.. VIII
liams moved that It be returned TO the
Board OF Aldermen with the recommcn-
dation that it be rejected.
After a long discussion the motion Of
Mr.. Williams was adopted. only Messrs.
Rountree and Hobson voting in the mega
tive. Tho committee then adjourned.
WATER COMMITTEE.
Inc committee on water met last
night in the city Hail. with the follow
ing members present: Mcssrs. Briggs
chairman. Tanner. Noble. CARRIER. Car
ter. and Hawkins.
The payroll OF the department. 20 the
amount of S22O2.6S. and bills aggregatng
Sll5 were approved. and ordered TO be
paid.
Several applications for rebates on
water bills were ceved and acted upon.
The entire free list was referred TO the
subcommittee on free water. with power
TO act.
on motion OF Mr. Tanner. It was de-
cided 10 pay the sum OF $50 extra COM
pensation for The transfer Of metre
books This work generally occupied
about twenty NIGHTS. ppications for con
nection with water mains were received
and acted upon, and one extension on
Orleans street was ordered, after which
the committee adjourned.
The Committee on Second Market met
at s O'Clock last evening with Sub
Chairman Zimmeru ann presiding, and
Messrs Brock and Noble present.
The clerk reported that $50 had been
collected on account OF the sanitary tax
for the month Of December The pay
roll was approved and the committee ad-
Journed.
The Committee on Streets will meet
this afternoon at o'clock. Sessions will
also be held by the Committees on Third
Market and 81. Johns Buryins-Ground.