The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-27
THE CITY BUYS
MUSK RAT TAILS
Water Department Pays Ten Gents
Apiece for Them-Water Com
mittee Meeting.

Mr.. John Mann had company at home
last night, or the chances are that the
Water Committee would have remained in
session until midnight. But, with his
company behind him, with a possible
chunk of the finest cake and some jelly,
Mr. Mann got on rush. and he lost no
time over small matters, nor would lie
let any other member of the committee
do any unnecessary lingering.
Routine work went along smoothly un-
til the expense account of the department
reached the point at which somebody was
paid 81 for muskrat tails.
What's that?" asked Mr. Mann
Superintendent Boiling explained that
whenever a man had a muskrat tail he
could get ten cents for it, and that musk
rat hunters last month had done great
work a muSfrat. it was further stated,
is a. pesky Varmint that digs holes in
places along river banks and canals, and
that sometimes they occasion much dam
age TO dams and other things in connec-
ton with the water supply of a city
Mr.. Mann made no objection to thai,
and then Mr.. Gordon, who was chairman
OF the subcommittee appointed to look
into the proposition of the Swift Creek
Company to supply clear water to the
city from Chesterfield county, asked Mr..
Mann to take the chair. SO that he could
make the report of that committee.
The subcommittee reported that it had
examined the proposition, but had not
had sufficient time in which to go into the
question as it should be gone into, and it
suggested to the full committee that the
proposition so back to the Council with
the recommendation that it be sent 10
the Finance Committee to consider, along
with other clear water propositions.
The question of the raising of the
wages of some of the employees of the
Mater Department next came up. and on
motion of Mr.. Mann. the request of the
men in question was referred to the
Council. with the exception of one man.
the power of raising whose salary came
within the scope of the committee when
it sends in for its appropriation III the
next budget. cMr. West was willing to
raise the salary of twenty-five men in
the department, but the question was
not considered.
Mr.. Robert T. Morris, a well known
civil engineer. was in the committee
room as a spectator. lie had with him
a map of what he termed the territory
embracing a manificent reservoir of the
p(rest of water underground. but which
could be reached through the artesian
we'll system This water could be forced
into the Richmond reservoir with slight
power and would prove as pure as the
purest Of spring water. This reservoir is
$50 square miles of territory, situated in
Hanover Henrico. Chesterfield and
Goochland counties.
Mr.. Morris also had plan of clearing
the present water supply by means OF a
/ certain chemical preparations that would
save the city much money, he said. The
itnrenaration could be purchased Off about
81 cents a gallon. which would clear
20 600 gallons of water. 1t could be used
as spray at the pump house.
upon motion of Mr.. Beck. Mr.. Mann
having withdrawn to join the friends
whom he had awaiting, his coming at
home. Mr.. Morris was invited to appear
before the Finance Committee. When the
sideratior.
The committee then adjourned.