The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-08

4 6ClCf. s{ffs5 XXI
Cha.. G. JURG GEMS Sen
Sole ASents.
+ ADAMS AND BROAD,
| Rlshs q he Centre a Pn1aisss EsasA~
been no fires from defective wiring. ana
that the danger from Seizure shows has
ncen reduced to the minimum by the en-
torcenent OF precautionary regulations u
!! Water Problem Solved.
| 1t is believed that the old and gyexa iona
problem OF clear water has at last been
solved by the completion OF tho rlumc ana
the utilization OF the Settling Basin as I,
source of supply. This work was completed
on December %. 1909. The conduit wcs
thoroughly secured, and clear water from
the river which had been stored in the
Settling Basin was pumped into the rescr.
voir. No alum or other substance for co.
| aguation was used until December 81, 1909.
Since that time alum in solution has been
used for clarifcation. but In such small
quantity as scarcely to BIO perccptible by
analysis, and In no manner. deleterious. Tho
watergts now clear and chemists pronounce
II 70 be as pure as any water obtained from
The Superintendent reports the works in
good condition. Tho four pumps to BIO
opera ted by electric power have been
placed in position, and one OF them, driven
by surplus electric power generated In tho
steam plant has been in use several months.
These res pumps have pumping capacity OF
ton OF the electric plant will all be operated
by electricity. and will he equal to any
emergency should the water-drlvcn pumps
be prevented from working.
New Electric Plant
In August, 1909. the Old Pump Works
which had been in operation for about
seventy five years. was turned over to tho
Committee on Electricity for conversion int
the. municipal electric plant. Under the
able supervision OF e. w. Trafrord. engineer
In charge. the work is DEPRESSING satisfac-
year. With this electric plant generating
power for pumping and other municipal
purposes. and supplying the current to light
the streets and public buildings, 1t Is be-
| lioved that the power and pumping capac-
| ity will meet every requirement for many
| years, and that the streets will be better
! lighted at less cost to the city:
| Improvement of streets.
| Work In the department OF tho City En-
| ginecr continues to increase with the growth
Of the city. The opening of4new streets and
sections and the construction Of large
number of sewers, for which an appropria-
| ton of nearly one million dollars has been
made. have added greatly to the labors and
! responsibilities OF the City Engineer and
j HIS assistants The work done is set forth
in detail in the report. and shows that the
i money appropriated has been honestly eH-
pended. There arc no more intelligent.
laborious ard faithful employees OF the re city
4 are many streets and alleys yet to be grad
cd and improved. but work has ncen done
!; in all sections OF the city, and the results
are seen iii the erection of buildings and
the enhancement OF values. The bad condi-
ton or some OF tho streets cannot prop.
Il erly be charged to the department. bur
solely TO tho scarcity OF funds by which
improvements may be made. Tho report
contains important recommendations which
; should receive the attention OF the Council
and to some OF these further allusion VIII
4 be made.
Building Inspection.
The Building Inspector asserts that the
\ past year breaks the record in the number
l OF permits granted. The aggregate value
/ Of the work authorized has been before
\ stated, but here 1t Is given more in detail.
Permits were granted for the erection OF w w
brick and 29S frame DWELLINGS: ~ Stores X
J brick stables. 8 office buildings, bank
buildings. lodge halls. 3 freight depots,
| !: apartment houses ! hospital and ! hotel.
| granted for alterations. additions and re-
pairs. The estimated total value Of all the
| work authorized IL $3,57i.s In addition 70
this work the city has erected one engine 1g, M
| house and ono incinerator. The now High
schoo, Building. the addition TO the How ".
| ger Armory and tho temporary post o1ice
building and tho United states government M
| Observatory and the Blues Armory and
| market-house are rapidly approaching com.
pletion. This record shows the ,,r,, largest mv
.
| year In the history OF the city. /.
The Building inspector and his assistants
havo made IS. Inspections Of various 1, prem
iaes, and as result forty old anu ~, IN
sa 70 buildings havc been removed and nine
teen repaired by the owners Tho almshouss
for coiored persons, the Valley sfno 70
ing TO the city, have been reno ved. N y!
escapes have been ordered 81 anu y er o 90
wherever required by law, and speclal " ! :,
tentlon has been given to me eMlot'1 n,hiie
buildings. The Building Inspector u nus r.
Gently been made the CUSTODIAN ., ~
buildings and these additional sn ~ esa U ~
cupy much OF Ills time. For some TINE y. ne
has been short in his working force by se 81
son OF the fact that the time o. one ~ -,
assistants has been wholly occupleu =. =, . ,
supervision OF work on 4" y. =. =
the city. III
Public Charities.
Tho report Of the Superintendent OF Public
! harities carries With 1t a story OF pa mos
| 1t lis sad to tnd that during me year ..ns.e
We're ltss homeless ana tr' ,nhn wcre COM
! peled to seek refuge in the City Home. pue
1t is gratifying to know thai these
mates were well cared LOT ~ ti ri sre were
| 5ihI deaths as white and 106 colored' ana
go coffins were furnished to give thess un :.
Others decent burial, seSen.y white and
4 60 colorcd Tho dial lily averase q minutes u1s
i was $685. and these were supported ~ T.. 9
! cost per capita Of SllV.ls psf unMu' W
1 rcport also shows An detail how the money
appropriated for tho rellef OF OUTDOOR
i poor was disbursed. n 5s u
i the ambulance service las been much
4 improyed since the purchase Of an nutom :
i bila. Attention is called TO The necessity
1 Of. having moro nurses In tho hospital ana
4 for improvements in the operating room:
i Religious services are regularly held In the
|homc, and the conduct OF The patients has
4 been exceptionally good. Ss ~
The Incorporation between the city authors
\ ties ana tho Associated Charities in the re-.
llicf OF outdoor poor is commended, and
| should In some manner be res ulated hy#or-
! dinance. The superintendent o the "A lone
! has no tin,e5to Investigate the merits OF the
| applications 10 him for relief and Is often
| imposed upon but the Associated Charities
lis well organized With visitors who inyes-