The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-06-05
STRONG MESSAGE
+ ROM THE MAYOR.
Tie City Executive Makes Some
Sweeping Recommendations
to tile City Council.
THIRD MARKET FOR "A HALL
Would Look Into Fire Hazard
and Improve Facilities for
Fighting Conflag:ations.

Fighting Conflag,ations.
--
Mayor Mccarthy submitted the follow-
Ing interesting message to the Council
last night:
To the Honorable, the Council OF the
City Of Richmond:
Gentlemen,-The full and complete re-
ports OF the several heads of departs
lllents OF the city government, already
III your hands. make 1t unneces sary for
this message to 60 into details. Former
messages have already presented for your
consideration many matters OF impor-
lance and leave but few suggestions to
be made at this time.
4 Complaints from every section OF the
city indicate the necessity for more at
tentIon to the care and Improvement OF
the alleys of the city. Liberal nppro-
printlons for grading and paving seem
TO be necessary, In order TO make the
work of the health department. efficient.
! also recommend the better and general
lighting OF the alleys Of the city by gas
nmps. as a most effective protection 70
property, and q most efficient aid 10 the
police department.
Employ Matron.
I respectfully suggest that the Council
ought not to delay the necessary appro-
priatioIl 10 employ at least one inatron
for the police department. 1t is abso-
utely essential to the efficiency Of the
police. and due to the unfortunates who
fall into their hands that We should have
at least, and at once. ono good and
faithful woman to care for female pris-
oners. 1t Is probable that In addition to
one matron employed at the city jail,
we should have at least another for SER
vice at the police stations.
The Council having determined upon
closing the Third Market. Isrecomn1end
that tflis building be Immediately fitted
witt, strong, substantial benches. neither
costly or elegant but durable, and thrown
open for public gatherings. Though built
for n market hoxse. 1t is unqnestionahly
the best place (acougtically) for public
speaking in the city. Everything indi-
Z Gates that there will be great necessity
FOR such place during the coming year.
Study Fire Hazard.
earnestly recommend tho appointment
OF n special commission 10 study the
fire hazard in this city and make
such recommendations as may seem wise.
It Is evident that an immediate increase
In the number OF fire hydrants all over
the city would add greatly to the
efficiency OF the fire department
and the cost OF the improvement would
be insignificant as compared with the
present cost Of long lines OF hose which
rupidly dctcriorate and have to be thrown
aside. The pressure In Lee District Is
now sufficient to at.ord good fire protec-
ton without the Intervention of an en-
CINE II a sufficient number OF hydrants
are Installed The great value OF the
tower which has ben erected In this
district suggests the wisdom OF placing
B,mIlar towers IN concgcsted districts.
f,,d at high points. with ample electric
pumping power. This special form Of
protection Is peculiarly applicable to our
city because OF the great variations in
elevation and the consequent unequal
pressure at different POINTS The posi-
hll,y OF such an Improvement suggests
the wisdom OF installing at once an cleo
trio power plant NTH towers erected
1T the high points. s,ippled Will, power
full pumps. and with liberal increase
In the runlber OF fiIeBiy drants we would
b.. to some extent al least. independent
Of the engine. and would be relieved OF
the expense OF purchasing cons tan tly In
crasirg number OF engines and the cost
cf tic maintenance ~ IN ,,ss' on.pates.
City Electric Plant.
1t Il evident that on the completion OF
thu sott:inE basin and the connecting
fine supplying clear water to the pumps
we will abandon the supply now furnished
by tho Old pump-house and that property
will be available for conversion into a
power-house capable of supplying power
& to the pumps at the towers already sug-
Eestcl II. the city should once decide
not TO pump water there. and then also
decide not to make an electric plant
there, the Council would be assailed from
one years end to another with proposl-
items to acquire the property, and 1t
would in all probability get out of the
hands Of the people. If there were no
bther reasons for holding this property
the one fact that 1t would be capable
Of operating pumps under water towers
al high points In the city to make In
creased pressure and better fire protec-
ton would alone Justify it-and any ex-
pense within the hounds OF reason for
ilhe Installing of m electric plant.
Magazine of Explosives.
Recent occurrences In other cities and
their experiences In the face OF conflagra-
tlons very forcibly suggest that our fire
department should have at some nc-
ccssiblo point magazine of explosives
.hnt at least five men In the de-
pnrtmeat should be instructed and train
Cd in tl.elr use. Easy access to material
OF this scrt and the presence Of men
Instructed in its use, might at any time
gnye MS from terrific loss by fire, This
md other suggestions In this line result
from: a desire to be prepared III advance
rather than to face alarming conditions
- K vNM ~WE