The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-10
New Lighting Proposition Goes
Over, Board Adopting Bond
Issue Ordinance.
.TURPIN HITS CORPORATION
Electric Plant Now Up to Mayor
for Approval - Burglar
Alarm Back Again.

With but one dissenting vote. the
Board of Aldermen last night passed
the ordinance providing for a bond is
sue for a municipal electric plant con-
curing with the lower branch after
hard fight. The proposition now goes
to the Mayor for his approval.
The first test of strength came OH
the report of the Light Committee.
recommending that the city enter into
q three-year contract with the ,Passen-
ger and Power Company for street
lighting, the contract calling for 1000
lights at $3.50 each. 1t was explain
ed that the present contract for lights.
at s54.15, expires July LIST. but that the
city had the option of renewing ii. the
company being unwilling to extend this
rate for lights In tile annexed terri
tory.
President Turpin took the floor in
opposition 10 the report. denouncing
the proposition as scheme OF the
the city hand and foot for three years
for the trffling and contemplate re-
ductfon of s2.5n' The report was
rstsrred 70 the Committee on Finance.
Wood Wanted to Delay 1t.
Later the fight came up on its
merits VIXEN the question Of concur
renee wiki the Common Council in the
bond issue ordinance was presented.
Though not opposing the proposition,
Mr.. Wood moved that 1t be tabled for
4 special meeting. z proposition vIgor-
onsly opposed by Mr.. Turpin. WHO told
The members: II you dom. like this
ordinance vote against ii, and let the
company continue 10 gouge US as u has
done The effort 10 pass BIZ being lost
Mr. Satterheid. chairman of the Com
mi:tee on Electricity. led the fight in
favor OF che ,nnn!cipal plant. He stated
That tA:a -city's expert. Mr Traffor1.
was handicapped IN asking for bids
m plant when tie contractors wer.
not certain that the city was acting
In good faith. and intending TO erect q
plant: that the present water pumping
facilities were entirely Inadequate. and
must be ae once enlarged TO p~ovfde
proper protection from fire. and To
allow for the water consumption in the
annexed territory: and further. that 81
the Passenger and Power COMPANY
was unwilling TO make price on
lights In the annexed district, the CITY
could put lip its own poles and wires
ut cost not exceeding 10000 and
supply lights to this section from The
present dynamo at the New Pump
House until the municipal plant was
ready.
Nj. Trafford, the expert electrician.
who is preparing specifications for the
municipal electric plant, was given the
privilege Of the floor and answered n
Number Of questions, stating that his
present estimates showed that the
plant would cost less than the first
figures, the work in the bed OF The
river being much less expensive than
n Nrst thought although the area for
putting wires underground would
N n !,
earlier estimates. He said that The
plant could produce lights at sac per
year of the same candle power as at
present used. and would at the same
tAme provide all the water-pumping
faculties which the city would need
without extra cost
The Question of Cost.
President Turpln declared that If
the measure should fall, II would he
an imperative necessity to arrange al
once Tor an expenditure or from $50
900 to 100000 for additional wate,
pumping facilities. the present waite,
supply being inadequate.
ne citizens Won't stand for an,
WAFER shortage, or fire danger" Ii,
SAID. why do the Locomotive Works
The State Capitol, the Richmond Hole,
.he Penitentiary and other large user
make their own electricity? Becaus
they find 1t cheaper. / challenge nm,
business man here to say how: n
would act on this matter, IL it wcr
Ills own business
on the final roll call, only Mr.. Ben
nett opposed the bond issue, Messr,
1iurton and Grundy being absent
Burglur Alarm Recomnttter.
Corporate Interests got ii in III
reck second time when the bureln
alarm ordinance came up for concur
renee. MI Rennolds wanted TO know .wh
stood sponsor for the franchise Il 50,
what privileges Il granted. Mr.. Turpl
{ fepllsd: Its threeryear-od baby. "
don't know who the father Is.
might be the Western Union Tele
~ graph Company for all we know
Amid laughter, the franchise was r.
committed to the Committee on ord
Vi nance. Charter and Reform.
= special message from the Mayo