The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-09
Recommends That All Sewer
Connections Be Measured
Again by City.
RICHARDS FINDS WORE ERRORS
Inspector Explains That He Did
Not Give Careful Attention
to His Work.


Resolutions were adopted by the sub.
committee On streets last night, recon-
intending the dismissal of William F.
Ruskell. sewer Inspector. as a result
OF his failure to properly measure
work in the annexed territory, on
which citizens We're forced to pay ex-
ira and eNorbitant charges.
Immediately after the Investigation.
by which 1t was shown that charges
preferred by Councilman C. E. Richards
were fully sustained, Mr.. Ruskell sent
bis resignation to the Engineering De.
partment. 1t was not accepted. The
subcommittee also recommended that
The City Engineer examine every sewer
connected in the annexed territory, at
The same time admitting that the con-
tention. of Mr.. Richards was well
founded
Ruskelrs Explanation.
Inspector Ruskel Informed the com.
of the excavations; that he took an
average OF those on one street: that
The forces working under him usual
~ cut from ten to twelve connections
g day, and that In taking measure
ments the. contractors foreman gen
orally held one cad of the tape. He
said that he only measured the depth
and length of 3 trench. taking all
excavations for single pipe to be two
feet wide, and those for double con-
nections to be four feet. this being
the requirement OF the department..
II contractor managed to get III his
pipe by digging eighteen inches. Mr.
ee 5a the he st bse CREDITED with
against the bitches which caved in
10 the Ross at the contractor. Mr..
Suskesl Wanted to resign. as he statcu
IN his letter, since the examination of
Pie special committee shows me unfit
10 hold the position
Finds More Overchurscs.
Councilman Richards created some
,IMng OF q sensation BY saying that
Nhce me recent measurements by the
semmlttes. he had examined eleven
additional sewer connections and found
IN TO be incorrect. Assistant CITY
engineer Bosto, other inspectors and
contractors, explained the system of
Measurements.
To Remeusure All Work.
. After more or less discus Sion the fol-
lowing recommendations were agreed
4apon and sent to the Street Com
%nittee.
That the City Engineer be direct
Gu te disniss Mr; Ruskell from the
duty;
That the Street Committee direct
81 mat all bills for sewer connect Gus
In the annexed tcrrlt0r. be recall
cd from the hands of the special
II nssessment clerk pending new und
proper bills for connections being
N rendered to him,
53 Tint the Charge made by Mr.. C.
T.. richards TINT charges for sewer
It,5 connections In the annexed terri
& tory were incorrect. and that M
1verchHrEe has been made against
propcrt. owners, hns been fully
sustained.
That the City Engineers depart
a ment examine every sewer connec-
ton made In the annexed territory
aud that they he measured up and
81 reported to the Committee on
II Streets. with the proper charge
3 dhat should be mUdc against prop
~ crty owners, except the measures
&, ments made by Messrs. Bolton,
Lynch and Richards. which are
81 Hereby accepted as correct;
Al That the City Engineers depart
q lneni be directed to report on NIL
81 bills in the old part of the city. the
M number of cubic yards nrd the es-
~ Innate per cubic yard of cost.