Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-16

4 Nitt' bul OHly routine matters were con-
/ sidered.
The Light Committees Session.
The Committee on Light met at G
j O'Clock. with Messrs. Wallerstein CHAIR
man, Miner, Shea, CARRIER, and FerIltcr
! present.
| The report of the Superintendent for
| the month Of November showed "a, 734, 900
! cubic feet Of gas made and 24730, 595 feet
! consumed, against H.e2S,SO cubic feet
made in the corresponding month 'ast
| year, and 2l,S52, 1913 feet consumed. The
/ average illuminating power last month
! was % lilo candles against 21S4 candles
! November. 1897
| DR.. Whitfield, Assistant Coroner of the
| city, appeared before the committee and
! addressed the committee at some length
! on the adVisabilty of employing
| chemist at the gas-works, who should
/ make analyses of all materials before
1 they were employed, and of the gas after
/ II was manufactured.
| DR.. Whitfield was asked what salary
/ he would consider fair, and replied that
1t would depend entirely on the amount
| of work, and not being conversant with
the operation of the plant, he could not
/ approximate a salary.
The Superintendent said the proposition
was not a new one, and he defined the
| duties of such an officer.
The point emphasized in the debate
which followed was the saving to- the
! city In the detection Of materials of in
| ferior quality. Mr.. Wallerstein said sew
eral citizens had preached the matter of
! necessity for the services Of a chemist.
and if the remuneration were not fixed
at too high a figure he thought the ap-
pOintment of such an officer was deslra-
BILE.
Mr.. Knowles said he thought the COM
mittee might well designate a chemist to
whom materials might be referred when
doubt existed as to their quality, and
whose services could be called in when
any difficulties arose. He thought the
public would be better satisfied.
On motion of Mr.. CARRIER, the Superln-
tendent was instructed to consider the
matter and report at the next meeting.
THE WATER SUPPLY INADEQUATE.
Superintendent Knowles stated that the
water supply at the works was totally
inadequate, and immediate steps must be
taken TO remedy the deficiency. Mr.. Wal
lerstein stated that the question of en-
larging the main would be brought to the
attention of the Water Committee
Additional lights were ordered to be put
at several places. notably on the hill
which leads down to the Locomotive
Works
Mr. CARRIER urged a complaint against
the supply of gas in Fulton. There is
certain factory in that part of the city,
and when it runs at night, as 1t frequent
" does, every one suffers. Something
would have to be done, he said, and done
at once. Superintendent Knowles said
there would never be sufficient gas in Full
ton until the big 24-inch main on Lester
street was tapped with a 6-inch pipe to
be run along Denny, Louisiana, Orleans,
and Nicholson streets. That would re-
quire 2.254 feet of pipe at cost of be-
tween $1,000 and $1,000.
The chairman stated that nothing could
be done at this time, owing 10 the lack Of
funds.
Mr.. CARRIER asked if there were no way
Of meeting the issue now People in Full
ton were obliged to use lamps in their
homes as well as in their stores.
Mr.. Ferriter suggested that the chair
man should ask the Finance Committee
TO make an additional appropriation for
this work in the budget.
The report of the gas-inspector showed
the receipts for last month TO be A,923
larger than for the corresponding month
last year. The inspector also submitted Il
report on the Kizer burner. as requested
by the committee at the last meeting.
gas.an hour, and the committee ordered
theNeport 10 be filed.
The usual monthly bills and payroll
were approved and ordered to be paid.
Grounds and Buildings.
The Committee on Grounds and Build
irgs met at S o'clock, with the following
members present: Messrs. West, Ferri-
ter. snead, Blanks, and Heeke. Captain
Ferriter was elected chairman.
Mr.. thinner, the present proprietor of
the refreshment rights at Reservoir Park,
appeared before the committee and asked
for a reduction of his rent. The value of
the privilege had been materially reduced
of late. and he could afford TO pay no
more than half the amount of his pres
ent rent in future. The committee au-
tborized an advertisement for bids for
the privilege for two years, from January
LIST.
A slight difference between the weights
Of the Weighmaster and the city coal
contractor provoked lively discussion, In
The course Of which the Weighmaster
was criticised The question arose
whether the bill should be paid at the
contractors weight. which was less than
that Of the WeIghmaster, or at the
weight recorded to the citys scales. Mr..
West moved that the coal bill should be
Maid according TO the contractors weights
This motion was adopted by vote OF
TO 2.
The payroll and bills Of the depart
ment. amounting 10 S,S6746 were ap-
proved and ordered TO be paid
The consideration of Engineer Caider's
delinquency was postponed until the next
regular meeting.
n was decided on motion of Mr.. West.
that a meeting should be held on the
23d instant 10 approve the payroll. in
order that the employees should have
their money prior TO the Christmas festiv-
tiles.
short Session of street Committee.
The Committee on Streets was sche-
duled 10 meet at o'clock, but at that
hour q quorum had not materianzed'
those present being Messrs. Allen, Bloom
berg. Gibson. Peters, Whittet. and woody
The important business before the COM
mittee was the auditing Of the pay-roil
and bills and In order TO dispose OF TINS
matter those present determined 20 walt
for awhile, and sklrnlshing party was
sent out for late members seven mem
hers constitute quorum. MT Allen was
EXCUSED. and short while thereafter MI
Tawder came In, followed by MT Fol
lock and the committee settled down 10
business. The payroll and bills. amount
,no IN Is 07g.O7. was ordered TO be paid
reouest from the ladies OF the Con-
,ad.rote Museum, asking for three loads
or sand was granted. This v 10 be used