The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-23

witness after witness-contractors
members Of the city government ane
those connected with the City En-
rineer,s office in one capacity or an
other-were called before the subcofn-
mittee on streets last night for the
purpose of getting at the bottom OF
things in the City Engineers depart
ment. The committee adjourned be-
fore anything of sensational or very
pertinent nature was brought before
II Several discrepancies We're shown
in one place or another. but generally
speakinp no new Developments We're
disclosed Practically. the only telling
point scored against the engineer 8 de-
partment was that made by Couhcii-
man e. Price Davis, OF Gay WARD
who showed that in furnishing lhtof-
nation concerning a sewer on Straw
berry and Cary Streets, Assistant En-
rineer Bolton had been far wrong. In
snite of Mr.. Bottoms statement before
the subcommittee last night, examina-
tons of the plans brought out his err
ror, which lie finally admitted,
sewer for Engine House.
In his testimony Mr.. Davis said that
N
Committee asking that a connection
be made from Engine House No II to
the sewer Mr.. Boiling stated that II
was too shallow for such connection.
and his statement was verified by Mr.
| Bolton. Mr. Davis said that he had
been informed that the sewer was at
least six feet deep. at all events tina
| connection was made.
| When the question was put to Mr.
Bolton last night, he said that to the
best OF his knowledge the pipe was
! about two feet deep, and that he fell
| certain II was not more than three
Rather acidly, Chairman Lynch re-
quested that he produce the drawings
saying at the same time. that frot,
| what others had said he doubted II
| ANYTHING definite could be found from
! them. In a short while Mr.. Bolton re-
| turned with the information that the
| survey called for depth of I'VE iee'
six inches
! Before you answered the question
l of the Street Committee" asked Mr
4 Lynch, don't you think you shoulc
| have been more accurate? we were
largely guided by your reply that tn'
sewer was not deep enough. Mr
Bolton made no definite reply.
Contractors Testify.
The first witness cdlIeu was 4
Smith, who has done great deai o
| work for the city He was asked "h'
he refused TO work under certain In
snector designated by the city. He re
4 plfed that the man assigned 10 M
contract did not seem to know goo
/ brick from a bad one. and he made
i kick. Mr.. Smith added that In com
pany with the Inspector he made a.
Il inspection of a lot Of bricks, piling IN
4 good ones in one place and the bad y
another, and that the Inspector oi
not know the difference. In short, n
considered him man who did no
know his business, and complained !
Mr. Bolton, the engineer IN charS'
The inspector was removed and place
on another job. Mr.. Smith testihe
that ne had had good deal OF tfou
BILE with inspectors. In some cases
thought 1t was due 10 incompetenc'
He admitted that on occasions he ma
he.n told by brick makers that the
would not furnish him except on TN
ward inspection. He said that Their
mad heen some delay In getting grade
/ for sewers.
Mr.. Rolling recalled the specification
for bricks and Mr.. Smith replied tina
|if that we're strictly adhered to, nc
a sewer would be built in the city
He said that there were frequentl
conflicts between the contractors an
the inspectors, but on the whole h
seemed to have gotten along with thel
fairly we'll.
Abatement Of Nuisances.
I Chief Health officer o. @ Levy wa
called to the stand to tell OF On
troubles he had had with the eng:
= = neering department He said that +
4