The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-05

peculiar pleasure the adoption OF an ordi-
nance honorabIy retiring, on full pay FOR ne,
Mr.. Robert GwahmeY Lucas foreman ~ o., ~
pipe la Wing force OF the water Dephrtn emu.
He liz now seventy -four years OF lage and mas
been constantly In tic cltys SERVICE for w. W. "
two years In oil that tins he has dea. hic,,
10 receive pay for n single hour DURING "nich
h. was not actively engaged In labor. TIC
has worked on Sunday. Mt night. IN sumner
heat and IN the les waters Of wn n, cr w,i
manfuly and courngeously I would pc
proud to ace n handsome portrait Of THIS
worthy rnnn adjoining the reception room IN
character ever connected with tho city gov
errment and his example should be pre-
served for future years to Inspire to faith
fuiness nd duty The officers and employees
OF the city government.
TO Reduce Gas Rate.
~ now recommend Immediate action by
the Council reducing the price Of gas to %
cents per !. 900 cubic feet. for all purposes
md in NIL quantities. The time hns come
wien VIC ought honestly to recognize the fact
fiat gas ran be made nr.l distributed for
less money tfnn 10 cents per 900 cubic
feet. For too long a Inc the patrons OF
the Gus Worries, who should have ibern.
confederation. l,nve been taxed through, The
NJ the city government. For part Of the
time tl,ls has been necessary to avoid an In
creased tas rne bn, now win the NE annie fan,
legitimate sources. we are In position to
abandon this undetermined method of taAa-
tiOn ~ si& eg
Cut Water Rate, Too.
II also recommend the Immediate reduce
tion Of water rates to the lowest price which
will sustain the worries md provide for dc.
arrangements for profit from this source
should BIO Instantly abandoned. The aame
sansons whiri, have influenced the Council
wnter-tnkerS to be taxed for general cx-
ponscs. II the city can, as II docs, furnish
$4,000 gallons Of wat or to large consumer
! ut the rate OF 200 gallons Tor cent and
without loss. see no Just reason why M
humble private citizens Who uses $500 gall
Ions should be charged at the rnte OF 81
times MS much ms the big consumer. n
my. man IS to be favoreH by low rites 1t
ought to be the man who requires water ma
iran who uses II commercially. Profit on
water Is In a sense. n shameful profit. md
should he abandoned. The rate for water
Mt tho minimum necessary for the operation
and support Of the water supply Of the city.
We have barely commenced to spend what
VIII be eventually spent for water supply and
tire protection, but tho funds necessnr, In
Jus case should be provided exclusively by
the taxation Of property.
Tells of Ills Dcfent.
Having been defeated for rcnominntio Ion
=! ~; combinntlon of the liquor interests OF
City Democratic Committee will in Tie
.essnr nF ac Of things 9s Fys % .ue
tl,ls year, and this will in all probability be
my last formal message to the Council.
therefore take lenve of you rcgretfully, but
\ htreiuily. trusting that with wisdom, courage
4 and fidelity you will guard the interests Of
ms great, growing and noble community.
Il ms message. colorless. uininterestipr
i aho dry. is necessarily so because In former
messages have covered every practicai
question OF importance which up to this time
mas =, presented Itself for my consideration,
u therefore refer YOU respectfully ,tc
FORM er messages and to items therein. whict
naSe up to this time received no ADEQUATE
a ,u,,el,l at your hands. Others matter.
Mn'en misht nave been introduced here are
ana constantly discussed in your assemble
a an me puolic Is also well informed concern
ins ra .nem,. II would be but waste of tim,
Mendations - ~ past recon
finally: This message should have beer
~, t,inaa sooner. nut was delayed by serl.
Sus Hiness winch covered a period OF thru,
Gays, " suistA