The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-08-04
Declares That Strange Things
Happened at Meetings Of Com
mittee on Electrolysis.
MEMBERS PROMPT TO DENY
Compromise Report Adopted At
ter Much Observation-Disclosures
Meeting Tomorrow Night.

Accompanied by a storm of disap-
prevail. even from some of the members
who voted for it, the report of the
special committee on electrolysis, as
presented by Chairman Mills. was
edopted by the Common Council last
night. after much discussion. In plac-
ing the report before the body. Mr..
Mills said that he thought the city, in
accepting this compromise of the long
pynd;ng question. was surrendering
several important rights. but that in
his opinion and the opinion of the
rest of the committee II was the best
that could be done-a matter OF ac-
eepting $4,000 for the expense in
CURED or nothing, with the prospect,
* the plan worked successfully, of OBJ
tanning damages NOT only for the in
Jury which might be done in future.
but for that which had already been
caused 10 the water mains By the cleo
,ric currents OF the street car COM
paafss He pointed out also the FACT
not feasible. could resort 10 other
measures The resolution was then
read by In. sergeent-at-aruis.
Big Stick, Says Peters.
At this point President Peters va
Gated the chair IN favor of Mr.. Spence,
the vice. president Mr.. Peters declared
that the committee. in making its re-
port. had neglected to take into ac-
count the damage done TO gas pipes,
as well as water mains, and moved
that the resolution be laid on the table
and 100 copies of II printed and dis
tributed among the members of Coun-
Gil. On being informed that 1t had
been printed and distributed, and that
most of the Councilmen besides him
self had been provided with copies, he
withdrew his motion. saying:
Il understand from members of the
special committee that many funny
things transpired at its meeting
hate to see the big stick welded over
the city,"
Several members of the special COM
lnittee hastenel'to deny that they had
been Influences in the smallest way
by the representatives OF the street
car companies, as Mr.. Peters had In
timated. Mr.. Lynch, the last member
to voice his disapproval stated that
injuries to gas mains had been re-
ported, and said that by the accept
ance of the committees plan instead
of others suggested, he thought the
council was flying in the face of ex-
pert opinions and voting for the Pas
senger and Power Company instead
of the city OF Richmond. The vote
was then taken, with the result stated
and upon motion of Mr. Pollock. the
body adjourned until o'clock to-
morrow evening, this being the last
resolution taken up.
Other Matters.
Previous to the introduction of the
electrolysis matter, the Council took
up several pending questions, most OF
which elected discussion enough tc
delay the progress of the body con-
! siderably.
A communication was read from the
authorities of the city Of Portsmouth
Inviting the members of both branches
OF the Council to attend the ~nnua
convention of the League of Virginia
municipalities, which will be held
there on August 14th. The Council de-
cided to accept the invitation. Mr.
Cary offered resolution to appropri
ate $50, or such part of that sur
f as should be necessary, for the purpos
of sending the president and one nd
ditional member OF the Council to at
tend the meeting of the league. The
resolution was rejected.
The resolution 10 transfer $1,000 ap
81 propriated for smooth paving in TIL,
East End to be used for the work OF
Thirty fourth Street brought forth
n passage at arms between Mr.. Richards
who favored the measure and MI
4s.s CARRIER who wanted the amount I,
go toward the work on Dock Street
Mr.. Pollock stated that the Street Com
mittee had no such sum at its com
nand. saying that il had been spcn
on Improvement to Grace Street
He moved that tho resolution b
tabled, adding that the contractor!
had said that 1t was a matter Of i'm
possibility TO do the work this yea
even If the money was Forthcoming
His motion was lost The Council ais
refused to adopt the resolutions /
i eXpend this amount either on Thirty
fourth or on Dock Streets.
An to Sewerage.
The Mayor returned with his dl.
approval an ordinance providing Il
certain sewerage on Twenty-Five
Street, between Yenable and Carrinl
@ ton Streets. at the expense of IL
3& estate of Mrs. M. q. Boiling. the eli,
go pay the amount out of the sewe
age fund at a later date, His prime
pal reason for objection was that II
measure placed the city in the pos
lion OF borrowing money. which
contrary TO the statutes. He was SUI
tanned by the Council which. howeve
later In the evening passed "A simil,
measure for sewers on Jackson Stree