The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-01

An ordinance Designed to
Prevent Electrolysis.
RE- t;oMMENDs 10 COUNCIL
Will Absolutely Safeguard the Pipes Of
the City---'Water Committee Is XII
Unanimous on the ~ .is
Subject. !.

IL with the recon- mendation to the Coun-
Gil for adoption OF an ordinance which
viii reyolutlonize the street-car systems
OF Richmond, III tho event 1t becomes p
law the misunderstanding between the
Water Department and the Virginia Pas,
scnger and Power Company illuminated
last night at a meeting OF the Committee
fon Water, The ordinance was recon-
@r1ended BY III 4unaniraous te, and every
effort will be exorted to have 1t enacted
~ the two branches Of tho Council and
signed by Mayor. Ta ylor.
gg In effect the ordinance REQUIRES the car
companies TO inaugurnte what 10 known
az d double, overhead trolley ii system
replacing the single plan now IN 0 PEI RI
ton. Bu such a change the committee M at
feels that the damage to water mt ms by
electrolysis will be oby1iated and no lurt
thor trouble ex perienced BY the depart
sment or loss to the city occasioned by
the deadly agent, which corrodes the
pipes and soon destroys them entirely. a5
'Ais s353E COST TO BE HEAVY
The cost to the companies OF the en-,
dorsed change has not been beer. figured py
the Water Committee but Is ma y be
stated that 1t will be considerable, OF pro-
portions sufficient to warrant the Virginia
3 passenger and Power Company bitterly
opposing TIRE I'D option Of the recommends n
h ed measure. 8sS, B. .t33 I. al Is . "
5& During the meeting, . ~ psi ~
Boiling stated that unless some imme-
date steps were taken to compel the car
company to check the deadly agent. It
would only be matter Of time before
some OF the largest mains In the city and
others leading from the reservoir ould5
be weakened as to make them =, y unsa e
and liable to break. leaving Richmond nc
at the mercy Of the fire fend.
Mr.. Boiling was heartily In favor ll' {, OF
the proposed ordinance, stating that the
Water Works Convention had decided,
after an exhaustive study Of the Dues
$ton, that the best and only way , \ 70
check electrolysis' was by the introduce G.
tionTof a double overhead trolley sys-s
ten, and additional wire returning the
loose current to its original source and
Keeping 1t OFF the water mans =,
ss'3i COMMITTEE UNANIMOUS
After hearing the statement OF MT MT
Boiling, the committee unanimously re-
commended the ordinance and 1t VIII come
tup for consideration at the next guar
$meet ting OF the Common. Council. iS. 5t5s
h The action last night Is the outcome q
the agitation which has been going on
for seven years and which resulted tI w
weeks ago In the appointment o., Messrs
Mills. chairman; Sheppard and Beck as as
a special committee to investigate 8 me ne
hest wa v in Ewhichsto stop the deadly
work of electrolysis. These gentlemen
held several conferences with street car
officials consulting with an, -
here from New Y ork for the sole pullr po'oe
Of studying the situation iffs4 j. !. j.
rhe car ofiicials were opposed to, nasty :,
action desiring to survey the field a n,
if&nossible, avoid the Introduction Of the ne
double overhead trolley syst en-.
As a result City Attorney Pollard ora y
cd the ordinance. which was recommenoI
.od In q rirht. AZ III was present and gave
Il as his legal opinion that the city could
compel the car companies to Nnt lrtN71 V
the system in the event the ordinance pc pc
comes a law. VA ~