The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-10
ASKED TO IGNORE
F|G.H I in! OFFICE
Daniel and Stratton Tell
Lynch 1t Was Per-
sonal Matter.
BUT COMMITTEE,
WANTS ALL FACTS
Assistant Engineers, Called Upon
at Investigation to Tell How
Department. Might Be I'M
proved, Offer Few sug-
gestions-Force Hard
Pressed.

Without arriving at any definiteN con-
clusion as to the management OF and
system used in the City Engineering
Department except by inference. the
Council investigating committee in its
second session examined three wit
nesses-Jackson Bolton. p. p. TaiIa-
ferro and rontaIne Jones' assistant en-
gineers in the order OF their priority
last night and adjourned to meet
again on Monday night.
Before going into session. II was
learned that Chairman John Lynch
had received a letter from Travers
Daniel. asking the committee not to
Investigate the causes which led to the
fight between himself and Clerk 1ay-
lor Stratton some time ago, and Mr..
stratton also beseeched personally that
tile fight be not investigated, saving
that 1t was purely personal matter
between himself and Mr. Daniel.
Must Have Facts.
But Mr. Lynch stated afterwards
that as the fight occurred between
public officials and in public Office IT
was OF interest and concern to the
public at large. and therefore he con-
sidered 1t his duty to bring the matter
before the Investigating committee. 30
far the details of the fight have been
kept from the people, bit the com
Inittce. which sccrps to he thoroughly
In earnest in looking into the efficien-
cy of the Engineering department will
investigate 1t and learn what. II any,
relation II bears to the system under
which this city department Is mana ged.
Tho examination of the three wit
nesses last nigh. was lengthy. and, at
times, tedious. But 1t served in the
pninion of the members of the COM
mittee. 70 bring out one fact-that
there lis room for improvement The
investigation has not gone far enough
however, 10 place positive blame or
censure on any one individual. or even
on the department The general -
tent OF the investigation WAS plainly
seen in the constant questioning by
the committee, especially by Mr.. Lynch
and W. n. Adams. to find out whether
the assistant engineers had any sug-
sestions to offer whereby improve
mcnts might be made.
Told Him to He Definite.
The answers Were not definite. and
once Mr.. Lynch told Mr.. Taliaferro
With some heat. that he need feel no
delieacy in responding because Mr.
Boiling was present. that the com
mlttee wanted to get TO the bottom OF
the matter and would have the wit
ncsses express themselves In certain
terms. Mr.. Bolton had no suggestion
TO offer, but Mr.. Taliaferro answered
that the assistant engineers were kept
constantly under whip and lash. and
that efficiency might be improved by
Increasing the force.
Mr. Jones replied that improvements
might be had, but lie thought the
Council would not be willing to spend
the necessary money. He was more
definite In one answer, when he stated
1flat In SUch vtx Nca a
grades, ordinarily done by two men, 1t
could easily be done by one.
ihats what we want to get at."i
said Mr.. Don Leavy. '.We want to see
Where the work can be simplified. AS
IT is now it's very complex You have
men running from one end OF the town
TO the other to do different classes OF
work, when II might be divided accord
1nG TO class and be done in much sim
pier Methods
Mr. Bolton Called.
Mr.. Bolton. the first witness, was
questioned by Mr. Ferguson about CIV
ing lines and then altering them. He
was Informed of this on street car
by II. L. Driscoll. who will be sum-
moned for the next meeting.
u have been second engineer for
thlrty-nine years" said Mr.. Bolton,
and first engineer for nearly nine
-! .. Is
Well" said Mr.. Adams rs there
my s,a way We can improve tho service?"
Ihe witness replied that a man was
needed to relieve him of telephone
WORK. and offered to STOW his weekly
REPORTS. He said that he couldn't tell
pS day reports or weekly reports il the
work was being done we'll. or accord
ans to$contract. Mr.. Adams suggested
Inat he could receive a daily report Of
The work done the day before at the
cost oi a oacent stamp, but Mr.. Bolton
uiut' M Know that this was done by all
contracting companies.
Well. You are not well informed
tnen, said Mr.. Lynch. Witness furth.
er admitted that he couldn't tell IL
Work e.. was Well done, orgif man was
ioalinE, unless he went to the scene.
~. .Inls point MI Boiling who occa-s
sionally took part in the Questioning,
e nd was occasionallylcalled upon. arose
70 state that he was not a member or
the committee, as had been stated. Mr..
Don LeaVy said that he was glad to
nave him present. 4
Mr.. Boiling said that he had hook
OF record to show progress of all WORK;
and the number of men employed on
Jobs and the. days consumed, this sys-
tem having heen learned by him on a
trip to Philadelphia.
Hard Pressed Always.
Mr. Bolton then explained how hard
pressed he was for time in perforniing
p ms duties, and then the question OF
nad q connections ts IN the sewer RECENTLY
Yrom Eleventh to Fousliee, was
brought ZIP. IT was stated that con-
tractors had had difficulty In locating
The connections, but Mr.. Bolton said
they were found as marked on the.
map. Mr.. Bolton had gone to one
place, and a Mr.. IIolzbacls had told him
ne had not looked for the connection
where he had been8ltold 1T was. Mr..
fIolzback will be summoned
Mr. Bolton said that he required,
references of inspectors whom he
didn't know personally, There had
been trouble With one in charge of
work In front of the Merchants Ma
tional Bank but he had been changed
because Of alleged incompeteneyi.. ,5l 8. q
Our main object. said Mr.. Adams,
MS to improve the service, 1t Is not
not as well run as a COR
rnnftn,toA p,, Gaua Il Llo /