The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-01
live stigation Rev e ais
Startling Facts About
Sewer Rates.
MAY LOOK INTO
ENTIRE sYSTEM
Council Determined to Find Out
Whether Overcharges Were
Due to Incompetency or
Graft - Richards
Right in Each
Case.
omcia1 and direct evidence that citi-

Oficial and direct evidence that citi-
zens of Marshall Ward have been the
victims of an outrageous system OF
oyercharging in the matter of sewer
connections was laid bare yesterday
when a special committee completed a
searching investigation OF the figures
submitted by Councilman G. E. Rich
ards. In each and every one OF the
fourteen cases presented by Mr.. Rich
ards the committee found ample proof
that his measurements were correct,
the largest single excess amount being
$20.75.
Unless the Street Committee demands
at once a more thorough investigation
for the purpose of placing the guilt
where 1t belongs, that course will be
urged on the floor of Council. members
expressing themselves in the most en-
phatic terms last night to the effect
that 1t was a case Of wholesale graft
or wholesale ncompetency that needs
prompt attention. With this end IN
view they say that the limelight must
he thrown into every corner of the
Engineering Department, as the over
charges resulted from the work of an
official or officials under its jurisdiction
Made No Formal Charges.
Without making charges against
anybody in particular, Councilman
-,
complaints H1azed the way alone.
while.' MANY of his colleagues openly
and brazenly shouted from the house,
tons that he was talking through his
hat But this did not disturb him or
deter him from seeking the light he
had set out to find. 1t was not so long
ago that prominent members OF the
upper branch ridiculed the Hobson
charges against the City Home. and
+ +,,a, n q n milf no Mr. Tirh.
ards, likewise. has converted the
skeptics.
With the facts presented yesterday
there is more than possibility that
tape lines and sounding rods will be
used throughout the city generally
Indeed. the public may demand 1t In
q view Of these latest revelations 1t Is
admitted, moreover, that If what hap
q pened in Marshall Ward happened If
all other wards. there will be claims
for damages against the city amount.
ing to thousands of dollars--all because
4 of the offhand acceptance Of statement!
as to what was due on sewer contracts
Guided by Ruskclls Report.
Assistant City Engineer Jackson Boil
ton, temporarily in charge of the office
said yesterday afternoon that thu
claims OF the contractors had alread,
heen paid. his office having accepted
the report of William F. Ruskell, sewe
IA Inspector. without verf1cation or ques
ton. Mr.. Bolton very frankly and hon
estly admitted that some of the blam
would rest upon his own shoulders In
asmuch as he had regarded the meas
urement OF Mr.. Ruskell as correct. S
\. far as Mr.. Bolton personally was con
fcerned, however, members OF Council
said 1t would be unreasonable to sup
pose that he should be required to e
behind the inspector and verify his re
turns when he had important and mul
titudinous duties at the Office and i
q, more important lines of work. Ever
AZ effort to locate Mr., Ruskell with
view to securing a statement from hil
proved unayailing yesterday afternoon
The Investigation yesterday was con
3 Quoted by Assistant City Engineer Bol
ton. inspector Ruskell, who had mad
the original measurements. Councilma
John J. Lynch, OF the Subcommittee G
y Streets, and Councilman Richards. Th
e latter was the first to arrive at Thirty
fourth and MARSHALL Streets, designate
~ the starting point. Some of the cor
j tractors strolled UP to watch the dig