Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-12


important departments. unless the Board
of Aldermen can be gotten together In
short order to avert the impending shut
down. by authorizing the necessary ap-
preparation to carry it on. The street.
cleaning department is the one referred
to.
: At its meeting Friday night the Board
of Aldermen failed to give its concur
renee in the action of the Common Coun-
Gil in the transfer Of $1.100 from the eN-
pense to the payroll account. because
the mat tier had not been before the FL
nance Committee. The board instead,
referred it 10 the Finance Committee
AS IN unforeseen consequence Of this
incident the Health Committee was con-
fronted with a serious situation when
called to order at the City Hall last
night. Superintendent II. J. Cohn, of
the street-cleaning department. precipi-
ta ted the subject at the outset. by pre-
senting the following memorial:
VIII Have TO Shut Down.
"Gentlsmen,-It becomes my duty to
lHloIii you tnal Inc IoodTu VI tAitelHlell
at it's last meeting failed to concur in
the action of the Common Council in
the transfer Of s,70o from the expense
to the payroll account.
UHless some action is taken before
Wednesday, 17th instant, it will become
necessary to shut down the department
from that time.
The amount necessary is s2.916. We
have Il balance on hand Of S1,24i.41, and
the transfer of s1,700. as recommended
in your honorable body. will mako it
s2,941.17. Very respectfully,
III. u COHN.
Superintendent.
per j. Z. OGrady. Clerk"
Superintendent Cohn said that the mo-
ney on hand would keep tho department
going until next Tuesday, but if the
Board Of Aldermen did not meet by that
time and authorize the appropriation. the
entire department. with its 1G5 men and
outfit CT horses. r.ules, and carts. would
be at Il stand-stil and the garbage and
muck heaps would have to lie as they fell
until the almighty dollar, which makes
the mare go, started the wheels again.
Asked for Instructions.
In view of this situation, Mr.. Cohn
asked the committee to instruct him what
to do.
Mr.. w. W. Morton said this was a
serious matter, not only for the 106 men,
who would be thrown out of work and
their wages just when the Christmas
holidays were approaching, but it would
be an intoerable condition for the city
and the people.
Various methods of averting the diff
Guilty we're suggested by Messrs Cottrell
Satterticld, and Shea, and it was 1inally
decided to instruct Chairman Hobson and
Superintendent Cohn to go before tbs
Finance Committee at its meeting Tues
day night, get it to pass on the aLppropri-
alton, and have meeting of the BOarC
Of Aldermen called for next Thursday.
In the meantime, Mr.. Cohn was in
structed to see all the Aldermen. expiair
the situation to them, and urge theil
attendance on the called meeting to pre-
vent the failure Of quorum.
Police Power tor Cohn.
The ordinance comforting police pswel
on Superintendent Cohn, which had beer
recommended by the committee for adop
ton, was reported by Clerk Mcdowell as
returned to the committee by the Boar(
of Aldermen.
Mr. Hicks said he haa opposed it II
the Board, and was responsible for it:
return. He had not attended The meet
ing of the committee that recommended
it, and he did not understand the neces
sity for it. He was frank to say he die
not see any occasion for Mr.. Cohn t.
wear police badge. He was eScitabl'
and liable to get into trouble. He die
not believe in men in citizens dress hav
ing police power. Mr.. Cohn has the DOW
er now to report persons violating tn
sanitary ordinances. and OF this ordinance
was passed it could not confer any
greater power on him.
Mr. Shea thought that it would maxi
great deal Of difference. II people knew
that Mr. Cljin had police power the.
would respect and obey him. He beltev
it would tend to greatly facilitate hin
in the discharge of his duties.
Mr. Morton said the only question wa
would it better enable him to carry ou
his duties If so. give it to him. II not
don't give it to him.
Mr.. Satterfield wanted to give Mr.. Cohl
police or any other authority that woul
tend 10 remedy the garbage evils an
| nuisance.
Mr.. Colln Explains.
Mr. Cohn was accorded the courtesy 0
the floor to explain the necessity for nj
having police power. He said he did no
want police power for the glory Of ii
| but he wanted to have the power to max
a man pick up the garbage he throws III
to the streets without wasting two 0
three hours going to the Police Court I
report him to no purpose He told of tW
| instances which had occurred only yes
terday, in which he had been ourageousl
jawed by two negroes who had refuse
his orders to clean up tho slops they ha
| thrown in the street. II I had had polio
| power / could have arrested them an
| called the wagon and sent them in.
"You could not have done any thing G
| the kind" interrupted Mr.. Hicks.
well. the City Attorney 80 advise
me-" returned Mr.. Cohn-
| well, that is just where you will gs
! in trouble persisted Mr.. Hicks. 70
can report violaters, and don't beliep
/ you can arrest them.
A vote was then taken on the ordinanc
and 1t was again recommended for adoI
! ton.
,fAMnrpousr@ @Ac chNTA =hiic