Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-06
GAS QUESTION
COUNCIL WILL VOTE TOMORROW
ON APPROPRIATION FOR REPAIRS.
MR.. F. c. EBEL'S AMENDMENT.
Madison Ward Councilman Has Is
Plan to Provide "a Small Holder for
the West End-sentimcnt ns Re-
CARDS Agitation for Lease or Sale.

The action Of the Common Council to-
morrow night in regard to the appropria-
ton of 81. 900 for the rehabilitation Of the
City Gas Works will serve TO test the SEN
timent Of the body in regard 10 the pro-
posed sale or lease OF the property 10 one
of the two syndicates which are pre-
pared TO bid for IT,
There seems TO be little doubt that a
majority Of the members will vote for the
appropriation, though whether the neces-
sary two-thirds vote will be cast is an
other matter. 1t is said that some mem
bers are opposed TO the Improvements on
the ground that the new machinery will
throw some men out of employment
while others will contend for the holder
in the West End, and will oppose any
proposition that does not provide for it.
a very small minority is said to favor
the leasing Of the works.
MIR EDEL'S VIEWS.
Mr.. f. c. Ebel, one Of the most con-
servative members of the Council, in dis
cussing the question with a Dispatch re-
porter last night. said:
posed TO the monopoly of the gas-works
being placed in the hands OF a syndicate
of capitalists either by purchase or
lease, and am unalteraby in favor of
municipal ownership the wisdom OF
which has been proven by nearly a half
century Of public control. For that rea-
son l shall advocate the ADOPTION Of the
committees report. and in addition shall
favor the separation of the coal and
water-gas plants, so that any defect in
the manufacture Of the gas can, with alb
solute certainty, be promptly located and
easily remedied. l shall also favor the
purchase of a suitable site and the build
ing of gas-holder in the western section
of the city of 10000 feet capacity. This
Is an absolutely needed Improvement for
the securing Of correct measurement OF
consumed gas and OF a nominated bill
from excessive pressure, and also a need
ed relief 10 the consumers pocket-book.
gasometer Of this size increases the
gas-holding capacity nearly One-half and
will be found sufficient for many years TO
come, and, if need be. can easily he add
ed TO as the increased consumption de-
mands. From financial standpoint, 1t
can be provided for in the next annual
budget without fear OF creating & public
debt
I'VE must admit that as wooden legs are
not the acme of modern surgery, so our
gas-works Of to-day are not what gas
experts would call modern plant. and
for this reason we should make the
changes which the age demands and the
public are loud in calling for
A GOOD BUSINESS POLICY.
I'm the management of the gas-works a
good business jolicy should be laid down
and closely followed, as the best results
can only be secured by the practice of
strict economy and the exclusion OF all
of those elements so apt to intrude into
The administration of public municipal ar
fairs. which operate only TO confound
business principles with political expedi-
ences. and il is not at all easy to persuade
some that these two policies occasionally
clash but in the determination of one
of the other to prevail it is the duty 10
be guided solely by the interest of the
| general public"
Mr. Ebel says he Will move 20 amend
the report by adding provision for new
holder OF the capacity mentioned above,
the cost Of which would be $4,000; this
sum 10 be provided for in next years
budget. This motion, II is thought might
harmonic some OF the conflicting ele-
monts in the Council. and might make a
twO-thirds vote possible at least.
The local syndicate is making a strong
fight 10 have the matter referred 10 the
people and its representatives express
the utmost confidence that this will be
done.
OTHER COUNCIL MEETINGS.
The Council will meet tomorrow night
~ o'clock.
At $50 O'Clock the subcommittee on
Water will have n meeting. and the full
committee will meet at o'clock. At these
meetings SUPERINTENDENT Boiling will re-
porf that one Of the reservoir basins
has been emptied and filed with muddy
water in anticipation OF experiments 10
discover a method OF clarifying and puri-
flying the river water used IN the city.
1he Board OF Fire Commissioners viii
meet at O'Clock.
At O'Clock the Committee on Ac-
counts and Printing will have meeting.