The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-30
ARGAS-NORKS
TO B J. |: LEASEO'?. L. / 4 :.
Runors Say That City Will. Will
Either Sell or Lease
ny Present Pla1lt..s
iTHE. .PREssUREzIs .VER'Y POOR
Citizens Say That Lights Go
81 Out p Danger Of
Death. q


a rumor is persistent on the streets
that there IS q scheme on foot to either
sell or lease the city gas works. !. his Is
the q talk everywhere. y in the clubs. at
the hotels, and wherever ci tizens are con-
gregated /.
seriously say that d leased Of the gas plant
will best serve the city' int terest;; a; for
under such q plan prop sSsaf ards
could fs,s thrown around Ii " ease and so
tho welfare 81 tie citizens would 5bo pros
jtacted.
A prominent aldermaii said yesterday
that he was opposed to the sale 5of the.
gas works. but that If the city were able
to lease a t a fair price, he would support
the measure. n
That something will he q done Is the;
opinion Q many business men who have
given the ma tier their attention. Amongst
the citizens who live IN the western portion
of the ci ty, the subject OF gas has grown
to- be a serious one. y. One well known
gentleman residing on West Franklin
Street said that he was compelled to use
lamps and candles In his house because
OF the fearful condition Of the gas. ~
cannot see to shave by gas light. said
he. land on Saturday nights, when the
Broad Street stores are open, I might rs
we'll not have gas lights in my house. :,
III This Is the opinion OF a host Of resi-
dcnts who have been approac he'd
Exceedingly Dangerous.
1t is not infrequent that the pressure
Il, - Iro
during the early hours Of the night.
Later when there is not so gren t a de-
glnand for gas lights. the pressure returns
and houses are filled with evil smelling
gas escaping from open Jets. II si
"a SOM years ago the city officials were
approached by Mr.. Alton s. Miller q gas
engineer, who acted for Messrs. Frank
sTllford and # r. A. c.. Smith, OF New
York, and MIR. Cha rles HI Dlckey, Of Bal
timore. with view towards 5purrc,llals NNr, i1g
the city gas plant. Tho matter never.
came to alvote, and nothing was done.
The question now arises ass TO what
companies or syndlcates will bid for the
lease Of the city gas works, II the people
OF the city. by popular vote. decide. to 50
lease then. @ i.. ID q & 3 ~
4 FOR this reason the presence In the city
spf Mr.. George Roberts, chief ensin
OF the United Gas Improvement COMPANY
of sPhiladelpnla,l tAe lIrRest oWHeI " kttIs kI
plants III this country, has been the sub
tect OF much comment.
M. Roberts, who Is q old Richmond
boy, was yesterday asked Il he We're IN
town in connection with the purchase or
lease OF the city gas works, or Il he had
made or Intended to make an examines
tion OF the oty's plant. 4 ,.i{
Other Rumors.
E MI Roberts replied that he was IN town
on Measure, and that his desire was to
forget business for q few days. t4'
haven't visited the plant Of tho city gas
works, nor do I intend to visit i while
am here. h, T am more tntereste ed IN orchids
and yiolets than gas lust at this time,
4 Another run,or that has been afloat for
some days on tho streets Is that Mr., Bar.
ton IT. drundy, backed by q syndicate
Of oil n,ngnates. you'd offer to nurcllalsse se
the gas works from tho city at tho price
Of two million dollars.
Mr., Grundy was seen and asked Il the
Srunlor were true A
s's"There is not q word Of truth. In the
such syndicate behind mo. and ! have no no
iden Of acquiring tho city gas works.
n,port," snil Mr. Grundy. There y no