The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-06
4 IMMEDIATELY after the Common
Council had refused last night to
reduce the price of gas, a desperate
Gffar.t

7 IMMEDIATELY after the Common
Council had refused last night to
reduce the price of gas, desperate
J. effort was made to prevent the
adoption of the budget, which con-
tains the standing appropriations for
1908. and which finally managed to
get through without a vote to spare.
The big ordinance was shot at from
ali sides while the various items were
being read and explained. Then when
1T had successfully warded off every
proposed amendment, the question of
its adoption was presented.
There We're only twenty-seven men,
bers at the meeting. When the roll
had been called there were seven op-
posing votes, Sub-Chairman Pollard
OF .e Finance Committee quickly
changing from aye to nay in order TO
move reconsideration. While waiting
bers crowded around the clerks desk
and there were several motions to in
struct the sergeant-at-arms to go out
and round up the absentees.
Did Not Comply With Law.
Councilman Davis wanted considered
ahead of the budget itself the report
of the Special Committee which in
vestigated the charge OF the Mayor
that the Finance Committee had not
prepared the budget according to pro-
visions of the city charter. His mo-
tion was killed. Mr.. Davis later ex-
plained that he opposed the budget
Tor this reason. Chairman E. D..
Richardson took the same view.
II do not believe the budget was
made according to the charter" he
said "and | do not think it is right
for us to pass upon the expenditure
of more than s2.oOo,O0O in thirty five
minutes without knowing exactly
what It means. For my part, I am
going to be consistent"
Messrs. Davis, Lynch. Powers. E. D.
Richardson. Williams, Wiltshire
and D. NJ. White declined to Join the
majority. Mr.. White and DR.. Williams
because Of the fact that ap-
for street work are put
into groups instead of being given to
of a long halt in the proceedings
Several members changed. and when
Mr.. Powers left the minority. the ordi-
nance had twenty-three votes. The
next moment DR.. Williams came over
giving the twenty-four votes needed
AT the end Mr.. Davis, Mr.. Richardson
and Mr.. White still stood firm In oppo-
Sition.
No Music for Parks.
Mr.. Graham 3. Hobson failed to Sc
cure an appropriation of s2,SOO for
the Blues Band, in return for concerts
in the parks. The debate was gen
eral, and sentiment was strong against
the plan. Mr.. Hobson likewise failed
to have the appropriation of $4,000
for annexed territory improvements
separated from the general street frrd,
Mr.. Grimes took crack at smooth
pavement in the West End. particu-
larly on Grove and Monument Avenues,
and asked that the money be used in
with the East End smooth
paving fund to help raise Lester Street
Later however he withdrew his amend
ment when informed that the city
hoped some day to save Fulton from
high water
The Finance COMMITTEES was contin-
ually in the limelight, but 1t succeeded
earlier In the evening In killing the
90-cent gas proposition. The Powers
resolution. providing that every ward
should have representation on the COM
mittee came up with an unfavorable
report, but the patron championed it
nevertheless, and when others went to
the rescue the measure got through.
More or less feeling was injected into
the discussion, which was long and
tiresome.
MI. lLS ICl uSSldIeQ lHdI Lester
Street would have been lifted out of
the water long ago If MARSHALL Ward
had had representation on the Finance
Committee. THAT committee has cer-
tain MEMBERS" he said. that must be
Replying to this statement Mr.. Pol
lock said 1t would be a sad day for the
city when ward-line politics was in
jected into the city's finances. pass
that resolution" he added, "and you
will find plenty of men who will have
to be satisfied, and there will be tho
greatest division of spoils that you
ever saw"
Mr. Pollock, Mr.. Pollard and others
opposed the measure, hut 1t was warm
~ supported being finally adopted by
u vote of ID to 1S. 1t goes to the Board
Of Aldermen for concurrence.
killing Cheaper Gas.
The cheap gas fight was not unlike
(Continued on Third Toa ra7I -T-T -