The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-24
IT tie hotels

TX ~G[ Z/<C ~G0(CkO J
| Several well known citizens and two OF
| three travelling statesmen were telling
yarns in the lobby Of the Jefferson Hotel
| last night Nearly everY one had had his
| say and the conversation was growing
| dull, when one of the drummers. 1el-
low who sells plumbing fixtures, and IS
therefore fairly we'll acquainted with the
water departments of cities throughout
the country, brought up the James RIVER
water.
Il don't want you fellows to think
that am trying to knock the Richmond
water works department or the city 1t
self when 1 say that you people are now
being compelled TO put up with what l
consider the worst water in the United
States know of no little village that
| boasts of public water service that
doesn't enjoy clearer and purer wafer
than Richmond is to-day getting out OF
James River.
It have noted since I came here
several days ago that Councilman Hicks
has introduced an ordinance which pro-
vides means for the erection of settling
basin, and while I am glad to see an
effort being exerted in the direction OF
clearer water for this beautiful city am
frank to admit that I think Mr. Hicks
is barking up the wrong trail with his
ordinance. A settling basin will not DO
the work as thoroughly at it Should be
done. and If the city proposes investing
a large sum for the purpose of fur
nshing the consumers a better quality
of water 1 think the money should be
spent in the right direction.
Il understand that 1t is claimed that
wit. settling basin the water will be
eighty per cent clearer than 1t is now.
This might be the case, but then Rich
mond would have one of the filthiest
waters in the world. What the pecple
should have is perfectly clear water.
Why, know of numbers Of cities where
the water is furnished by muddy stream,
but before it ever teaches the public it
is cleared up to look as clean and healthy
as the best spring water to be found in
this vicinity. but this effect is not OBJ
tanned by any settling basin.
Filters, nlters, that's what the city
should have and want you fellows to
understand right here that I am not
selling any patent filter, but happen to
know that with the proper kind of filter
every gallon of water used in Richmond
may be made clear as crystal, and
don't think it will cost a cent. more to
put in the filter than it will to erect
settling basin.
With a settling basin every time the
water is turned into the city through
thirty-six inch main the bottom of the
reservoir will be stirred up and mud will
result, and I don't think it can be kim
med off the topj in sufficient quantities
to supply the city.
In Atlanta filters are used by the
department and both their fire and water
service are regarded as the best in the
country. The water they use in putting
out fires there is equally as clear as the
water used for other purposes, and you
rarely ever see any mud in any Of it.
But they use filters"
Judge Walter Gibson, a prominent
politician of Columbia S. c., is registered
at the Union. He will be in Richmond
several days.
j. R. spaulding. well known citizen
OF Reidsville, N. c., is at the Union.
The local hotel managers state that
business Is picking up rapidly, and it
will not be a great while before the sea-
son is again on in earnest.
NJ. w. Davidson. prominent citizen
of Roanoke. is stopping at Murphy's.
T. ]. Par, a we'll known shoe manu-
facturer of Alexandria, is among the
guests at the Jefferson.
Among the guests registered at the
different hotels are: AT the Jefferson-F
J. Paff. Alexandria: G. L. Townsend.
New York; r. A. Jackson, United States
navy; w. w. Trice. Mayfield, Ky; P. P.
Perry. Nelson county; w. D. Ballard
Albemarle county: Mrs. NJ. A. and Mis-.
Laura E. Wilkinson, Philadelphia; E.
Platt and Mrs. NJ. R. Platt Kansas Cis
At Ford's-w. D. Parrish. Virginia; E.
c. Allison, Lancaster, S. c.; r. E. Wylie,
Lancaster, S. c.
Union-J. r. Spaulding, Reidsville. N.
c.; w S. Powell. Portsmouth,: w. A.
Fiason, Raleigh; F. c. Jones, Jackson
Vile; ]. d. Bowen. Columbia; II j.
Tatum and wife Newport News: r. j.
Woods. Philadelphia; ]. w. Allison.
Washington; Rufus Dodge. Petersburg:
F. c. Jones, Jacksonville.
Murphy's-M w. Davidson. Roanoke:
]. Maycock. New York; William Ramsey.
MISSIONER: II. ". Brown. ST. Paul; NJ. L.
Wood: Detroit: A. a. Bean. Boston; N.
F. Allen, Norfolk; f. D. Kemble, New
port News.