The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-08-05

Better Outlook for Gas Works. 4
The suggestion that Messrs Humpn-B
reys and Glasgow be given entire charge;
Of the work Of rehablitating the Gas
e Works is q most hopeful sign for the ,ultt-
mate success Of that undertaking.
Tho Times Dispatch from the inception
" Of the contest between various engineers
y for supervising the rehabilitation Of the
II Gas Works has had only ono ainl:-that4
III the Council with slngeness OF purpose
Fl and buslness-like caution should choose
4 the hest man possible to carry out t1ils5
1 most important work
When that simple and straightforward
II course was urged by this paper, the jour
4 nal Historically warned the Council
4 against another trick to3capture the Gas
Works BY lease or purchase, apparently
II the wisdom, and necessity OF this line OF
vi action is at last plain 10 everybody,
y though in matter Of fact the rumors OF
il graft, division Of Commissions.
I ''strong lobby by steering committee
4 neither more rife nor better sllbstantiated
h now than they We're weeks ago.
,ss$8s The Times-D Dispatch urged then, and It
vi reterates It's advice now, that the only
n solution for the tangle and the only
sensible and proper precaution against
Il lnlsmanagenent#o dishonesty is to re-
81 trace the steps already taken and once
q more begin ut the beginning. 55
N b AT the meetings OF the committees
charged with the duty Of selecting this
engineer there was an inconsequential
careless and happy-go -lucky choice OF r..
"a Hunt & Company. II,
II Upon fuller investigation It may prove
e that r. W. Hunt &: Co. have actually
d built a sufficient number of gas works
855t o justify the opinion which some mem
al bers Of the Council expressed. on the.
other hand, it was brought to the at
4 tenuon Of the committees on 1 Finance.
n and Light that Mr.. Mayer had built
~ q large number OF gas works and was
highly endorsed as az gas engineer by
competent authorities The lacls3sof at
55 tention paid to this and other applca-a
tons was the fundamental reason why
The Times Dispatch desired to see the
whole matter referred to the Council
2$fJrs full and open debate. When the
matter does come before the Council.
Il II that body will take the methods used
by ordinary business men ana choose
sg5the engineer with reference to cllnrac ter,
reputation and experience as in design
ing and operating gas works. the city
. OF Richmond viii have no cause for com
plaint or suspicion.
But II the choice BIO made upon rea-
sons that are either childish or not d..
vulged, II the public Is not dealt with
openly and If the citizens are not taken
into the confidence OF the Council, then,
even though by a fortunate combination
n OF circumstances an efficient ana suc-
cessful plant is obtained, there will re-.
1nain the lingering doubt that all was
not fair and above board. For every.
1eason, therefore, Of eNpsdiency and
& good business the Council should PRO-
If9 cseoeO HDcut tlllS IndLler III al suHDluSeu
way, and with mind intent only on.
securing tho best services possible. Al
AS to Messrs. Humphreys and Glass
& gov, the former Is president OF Stevens
VA University, the latter is well known In
"A this city. being of It by birth and blood.
\ The general reputation of this firm as
gas engineers Is not TO be doubted, and
@ their success as designers and operators
OF gas works has been very great. 1t Is
understood that Messrs, Humphreys and
q Il Glasgow. though the choice OF SuperIn-
tendent Knowles. did not seek to get
& thus work when 1t was offered by adj
"a vsrtiSement, as they never 30 into COM
petitiye bidding, their invariable rule
being to do work of this sort on a COM
mission. What that commission Is or
n how II compares With other bids. we do
not know, but IT Is cardinal principle
in all such matters that economy. though
Important, is not more so than efficiency
H. and honesty. In choosing the engineer
u for this construction the Council should
give due weight to each consideration
Il II II does, Richmond Will have modern
scienIItic and efficient gas plant--and
there will be no complaint and no sean,
hal <
-------------, " 54tt r7S
The Two-Cent Rate.