The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-06
KILL GAS PLAN;
ATTACK BUDGET
CONTINUED from First Page.)

tho struggle of Monday night. but as
the plan was likely to reduce the reve-
nue. of the city. President Peters pro-
duced an opinion from City Attorney
Pollard, sustaining his own view, that
the passage of the 90-cent ordinance
would require a two-thirds vote.
|Twenty-four were necessary. and the
vote was, ayes Is, nays ..
Mr.. Mills said that there was such a
conflict of opinion between city Off
Gals as to the cost OF manufacturing
that it would be unwise to change tha
present rates. Chairman Miner. of thu
Light Committee, made an extended
argument in favor of reduction. He
contended that as the works We're pay
Ing handsome dividend. the cltizena
were entitled to something.
Declaring that New York. Massachu-
sets, New Jersey ard other States were
not selling the product at less than 81
per 1000 cubic feet. Mr. Cary pointed
out the danger of cut here, especially
when an expert had shown in 1904
that the cost of the product, delivered
at the burner, was 90 cents.
MIR. d. M. White presented the novel
argument that it would be a great adj
vertisement for Richmond If it could
publish to the world that 1t was selling
gas at 80 cents. Would there be any
sense in that" Mr.. Cary asked, "if tho
same gas was costing you more than
80 cents?" Mr.. White however, denied
that this would be the case. Captain
w. l.. White opposed the reduction.
The point most emphasized by diff
ferent members was that the city.
though engaged in the gas business.
had no way of ascertaining exactly
the cost of manufacturing. Dr. Will
lams wanted to know il the Finance
Committee could revise it's system of
bookkeeping so that this question
could be made clear He added that
he would rather give the people n
lower rate than to spend so much
money for smooth pavements in the
| West End
There was a passing hint of graft
somewhere and sometime. when Mr..
Hobson asked If it were not fact
that certain gas-stove dealers had
been trying to sell their wares, with
the understanding that the city would
supply the fuel at rs cents.
you will probably hear Of that later
in an Investigation" said Mr.. Cary.
Subsequently. 1T was explained that
while the Gas Department was not a
party to the smooth business scheme,
it had been worked by somebody, the
Inference being that certain edaler
had claimed that his stove had the Off
cial approval of the department, and
would consequently get the benefit OF
the Io-cent rate. No definite charges
We're made, however
Mr.. Lynch, the original S5-cent gas
man. gave the stand-patters several
uncomfortable moments. This whola
thing" he said gets down to the
question Of whether you are going to
sustain the Finance Committee or give
the people a cheaper rate. You WON'T
40 IT because you want more money to
! spend. You want $4,000 for a smooth
pavement on Monument Avenue, and
yet you won't raise Lester Street"
great deal of gas had been burned.
and there had been much of the other
kind. when everybody called for the
show-down. The Mills motion to defer
until after the rehabilitation Of the
plant. which Mr.. Lynch said was mere
| ~ Il dodge, was voted down. Then the
orlginal 9o.cent ordinance was sent
! to the block, there to be defeated. The
vote was as follows:
Ayes - Messrs. Atkinson. Barber,
Davis, Don Leavy. FERGUSON. Gates,
G. B. Hobson. Lynch. Miner, Batkins.
Grimes. Powers, z. d. Richardson, um-
lanf, D. NJ, White, Williams. Wiltshire
and Peters---1S.
Noes-Messrs. Cutchins. Cary Lea
Mills, Pollard. Pollock, w, f. Richard.
| son. spence and w. L. White-9.
When the Joint Committee on Water
and Electricity reported that the con-
tract for plans and specifications foa
the proposed electric light plant al
the Old Pump House had been award.
ed 70 r. w Trafford, without COM
petition, there was violent opposition
on the part OF Mr.. Hobson, CAPTAIN
White and others. who thought thera
should have been an open contest. The
report, however. was confirmed.
The salary of two police captains
captains was Increased. The visiting
staff proposition for the City HONS
was adopted, and much work OF minor
Importance was cleared from the
docket, Mr.. Fergussons ordinance 10
abolish the Committee on Police, Fled
tons and Schools, was sent to the Com
mittee on Ordinance Charter and Re-
form.
Mr.. John cu,chins the new member
from Lee Ward. was sworn in. slss