Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-28
YaERS BIDS LAID OYER.

voted the larger part OF a twO-hours ses
sion last night TO the discussion oil eiec
trolysis, It's effects. and remedy Bias
were received from three distinguished
electricians. who had been asked what
they would charge 20 undertake the IN
vestigation Of the injury 10 water and gas
mains directly traceabIe TO the street
railway systems. These bids were laid
mon the table. however. at the request OF
MIR. Winston. who made a strong fight In
the interest OF Virginian electricians.
The subcommittee on Clear Water was
not ready to report. and the matter went
over until the next meeting Of the COM
mittee.
The Common Council. called TO meet in
special session. 10 pass upon the appro-
priation OF $1,000 recommended by the
Finance Committee 10 carry out repairs
and alterations at the gas-works' took
no action in the premises as the neces-
sary two-thirds majority was not present
The Health Committee postponed the in
yesugation OF charges against one OF the
physicians to the poor, who Is alleged to
have refused to attend a patient unless
guaranteed a fee Of 81.
The water Committees Session.
The following members were present at
this meeting; Messrs. Tanner Winston
Ferguson, Montgomery, Whalen, and
Gordon.
A petition from the employees OF the
department for leave Of absence ia ac-
cordance with the usual custom was Ia
vorably received and recommended 10 the
Council.
After the transaction II the usual rou-
tine business the subject OF electrolysls
was taken up. Answers were read from
Messrs. Dabney II. Maury, Jr., OF Peoria;
a. A. Knudson. OF New YORK, ana Il IL
Brownelle, of New York, 10 letters sent
out recently by Superintendent BOILING
Offering 10 conduct the investigation, the
object OF which is to determine the extent
OF The injury done to the gas and water
mains for stipulated sums.
AVOID NEEDLESS EXPENSE.
Mr.. Winston thought the services OF an
expert would only be necessary FOR about
five days all the preliminary work might
be done by Superintendent Thompson OF
the Fire Alarm, and some Of the analyses
might be made by State-Chemist Taylor.
fl would be unnecessary and extravaganza,
he said. 10 pay an expert SIS or $50 a day
for twenty or thirty days, the time which
the experts mentioned as being necessary
TO make full and complete examination
MIR. Tanner thought it the duty OF the
committee TO get the most reliable experts
TO conduct the examination. The elect OF
an amateur investigation on the general
public and in the courts, II any leeal
questions arise, would not, he said, be
convincing.
superintendent Boiling said the question
was interesting the members OF syhol-
Gates who were in the field Tor the iran
chises of the Richmond Railway ana
Electric Company. II was a question Oi
vital importance TO them, ana they were
anxious that the tests should be made be
fore the Main-stTect franchise expires. lie
did not think that superintendent Ihomp-
ion had the spare time required by the IN
yestigation. and he. personally, had not
my time to devote 1t.
Mr. Gordon said the examination maze
BY city officials would be regarded by tho
courts as made from an interested stand
0oinL
EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE.
The chairman asked the superintendent
what he thought the damage Woulu
amount to from electrolysis.
Mr.. Boiling said ne believed 1t would
not be found less than $4,000, and pos
yibly as much as 100000.
The amount appropriated by the Coun-
I'll for these tests is $1,000, and the quo
tation OF Mr.. Brownell, the lowest OF the !
lhree, Is $500.
Mr.. Brownell was present and made an
interesting statement anent electrolysls, |
and gave some facts and figures based on
MS experiences I'm other cities.
After some further discussion Mr.. Mont |
gomery moved that MIR. Brownell be en- |
ployed to do the work.
Mr.. Winston took exception TO this mo- |
lion. He argued that there were many |
yirginians who stand high in the electrl- |
tal world, and he thought a Nirgnian !
should be given the preference. He argued |
for a delay of week or so.
GIVE VIRGINIANS PREFERENCE.
Mr.. Gordon. Do you want Vrgnian
or a resident of Virginia TO do this work?
Mr.. Winston: j think We should employ |
Virginian, and graduate OF the Uni
yersity of Virginia.
lie suggested the name of Mr.. Charles
T. Childs. of Ashland, editor of the Flee
trical World, as one of the best posted
electricians in the country. lie thought
Il would be taken as a reflection on Nir-
U1aia electricians thar the committee had
not communicated with any of them, but
had gone North. He moved as a substi-
tute that Mr.. Boiling should communi-
cate with the leading electrical papers
with view TO finding out the names OF
bic OF conducting the examination This
motion was adopted, and the matter was
laid over until meeting 60 be called by
the CHAIRMAN. when the necessary infor-
nation Is at hand.
USE OF CITY WATER.
The ordinance authorizing the Commit
tee on Water to contract with persons
owning or occupying real estate lying out
side of the corporate limits but abut-
ting on any street In which the city has
water main, for the connection Of such
properly with such main and for the
use OF water, was vigorously opposed by
Mr.. Gordon, who said he would vote
against it and against every application
that was made in the future.
Mr.. Montgomery favored the adoption
OF the ordnance and his motion TO this
effect was adopted.
Mr. Gordon. chairman Of the sub-com-
mittee appointed TO consider and report
on methods for clearing the water, said
mis- committee was not prepared 20 report.
and the matter went over until the next
meeting.
Charges Agninst a Physician.
The Committee on Health met at Sl5
sclock. Present Messrs. Hobson Chair
mani, Camp. Neale, Seay, and Donahoe.
The consideration of charges preferred
against one OF the physicians TO the poor
al previous meeting was postponed until
the next regular meeting. owing TO the
absence Of witnesses. The specific
charge Is that the physician failed 10 at
ttha a charity patient when called upon
10 90 so. except upon the patient agree
Ing 70 pay a fee OF 81.
The payroll Of the department. amount
lnS 10 N.I6lOS, and sundry bills were APP