The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-06-29
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though the chairman OF the Light Com
mittee and the Superintendent ~ the Gas
Works didn't know what they wanted,
or tho needs OF the Gas Works. He al
luded 10 the report Of the expert made
recently whose recommendations hau
never been acted upon. The sum oi
$500 had been appropriated TO carry our
those improvements later on Mr Naller-
stein had asked for $1,000 more Now
the committee asked FOR s2i,50o. and there
seemed to be "A difference of opinion as
10 the needs Of the works between the
chairman and superintendent.
Mr. Wallersteiu left the chair and TOOK
the floor 10 reply 20 this criticism. The
management OF the works he said. dur
ing the past few years would stand the
strongest light that could be thrown upon
H. Tie euloeizod Mr Knowles admin
istratlon. and said there had been wei
defined efforts during the past few years
10 prejudice the minds Of the public IN
favor Of selling the Gas Works. As "a
member OF tho Finance Committee. the
speaker said. bis colleagues could tes-
tify that De had always favored economi-
cat measures. The expense account had
been reduced 81 500 ln the last two years.
That hc thought. Was evidence ihat the
Gas Works We're being properly managed.
The committee had seconded the EFFORTS
OF The superintendent, and The closest az
tenti0n was given to au details. The
single supDrheater system WAS anuquatod
and the machinery in The works needed
imnr0vement. It was bad business policy,
he continued to allow the works 10 90
10 ruin and make no effort 90 arrest the
decay. The testimony ot the expert. ana
of MIR knowles showed that it the I'M
proyemonts needed were carried out II
would be- the means OF saving $500
year for the city
The eas works said Mr. Wallersteln. Is
A manufacturing establishment. II dii-
fers from an the other departments IN
that 90 was subject to contingencies.
SIR. Harrefson denied that ne had criu-
cisod the management ot che gas works.
The management was ms fair and Just as
it could hc. but the doctors disagreed as
90 what was necessary
Mr. Camp asked if The works were not
n better condition to-day than for any
time for hYe years
BETTER THAN EVER.
Mr. WaHerstein replied that the works
were worth from fifteen % twenty-five
per cent more than they were five years
ago.
Mr. Cottrel said he was a friend of me
gas works but the demands were de-
cldedly confusing He favored the mod
erniziHg of the plant but opposed What
Doe termed the patch work process.
Str CARRIER asked if "a holder Ia the
West End would necessitate the Improve
ment OF the forks.
superintendent knowles renlied that the
present capacity OF the WORKS would pe
sufficient 10 supply the holders
Mr. Mosby said it had been decided not
90 take up the question of q holder In the
West End He emphasized the neces-
sity FOR making an appropriation ana
quoted figures 20 show that the running
expenses mad been reduced and tine out
put Increased. Unless the amount is APP
propriated for improvements. there would
be- the same trouble at the works az
there was last year. The expert said
that fhe city could save 5000 a year by
carrying 0ut improvements and he SUBJ
mltted this argumeni as plain business
proposition.
Mr. CottreH asked if the estimate of the
expert were not $4,000 and if the cost Of
material had not increased considerably
since then.
Nf- Knowles replied that some Of tire
changes had been made - the employees
already and added that with the $1,000
De could put the works into condition
equal t0 that of any works In the coun-
try
"It is impossible 10 ger along with the
present plant" continued Mr. MosDf'
because unless you get certain grade
of on YOU can't make good gas. tte
whole question. Doe said was Wnfih p
the svm of s2I roo should he expended and
g. o0o o. year saved. or whether the works
should be allowed to run on in the ola
rut vifh the same trouble every year.