Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-26
THE PROPOSED CONDUIT.

with winter fast approaching. II be-
comes a matter of the first importance
for the Committee on Streets to pass
upon the maps of routes proposed TO be
used for the conduit of the Virginia Flee
trlcal Railroad and Development Com
pany.
The papers in the case have been in
the hands Of the city authorities since
July A part Of that time they
were under examination at the City En-
gineer's office Being approved there
they Mere several weeks ago sent to the
street Committee. Though the commit
tee has not had these plans before them
as long as we had thought, they have had
them quite long enough 10 approve or dis
approve them. Therefore. il is to be
hoped there will be no further delay or
postponement Action Is due from the
committee.
The river development company is
ready to give employment TO a large force
of masons and other workmen. so
soon as the permit is given them to open
streets and go ahead. The company is
asking no legislation from the Street
Committee. No; it needs none The City
Council has given it all the rights and
privileges it wishes but the Council de-
volved upon the committee the duty Of
passing upon the routes selected and ma
terial 10 be used. But since the City
Engineer and the Superintendent of the
| Fire-Alarm ana Police Telegraph have
approved the plans of the company, the
! duty of the committee is plain.
That some weeks time has been I'M
prontably spent is to be regretted. but
cannot be helped. The thing now to do
| is for the committee to determine that
not another day shall be lost. Members
ought TO be willing to sit night and day
until the plans are disposed Of
Our Information is that no further ac'
ton upon the part Of the City Council
is needed. but if the City Attorney should
decide that it is, why that would furnish
an additional reason against the vast
ing of another days time. What Is to b
done should be done at once. II freezln
weather should come ON before tn
company's cement work is done, a loni
postponement will be necessary.
Hundreds OF men will md employment
in the construction of this conduit.
will cause large sum of money TO b
distributed among our labOring popula
lion and retail merchants. Ii will be tn
inaugural step in causing all overhea
wires to be put under ground Moreover
il will hasten the day when the rive
company's works will be able TO ente
the field here as a competitor in furnish
ing electric lights and electric power )
we believe the Committee on Street
could not do a more popular or prais,
worthy public service than to set IN
! company 10 work building its conduit.
The company hopes To be manufactul
ing electricity by the list Of April mex
II IFS water-wheels are not in operatio
by that time steam power will be use
temporarily. steam-power plant is |
be put in place anyhow as an auXiliar
Of the water-power plant, so that gres
droughts. or great floods. in the Jam,
, cannot compel a suspension Of the con
, pany's operations.
. All the work in contemplation Is no
= proceeding smoothly, save only that {
\ the conduit. That is not proceeding
all. 1t hasn't been begun. The con
pany. though II has complete franchise
cannot open a single street TIL the cor
. mittee says 40. 1t is this permit whi'
S is now so anxiously awaited. so let
o hope that the committee is now ready
IL act