The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-01
CURIOUS, !" SAYS
ALDERMAN POWERS.
Niger in. Woodpile" i'll Street
Lighting Contract
Charged.
STORMY SCENE AT CITY HALL
American Company Still Draw
ing Pay, Though Contract
Has Been Rejected.
STORMY SCENE AT CITY HALL

stormy scenes and many counter
charges marked the session or the
Council Committee on Light last night
II became so noisy at times, that Ser
Eeant-at- Arms Ruskell was called
from anotheS part OF the building 10
see that there was no breach OF tho
peace. The contract for gas street
lamps was under consideration and
IT was freely charged that there was q
niger in the woodpilc," while
another member had 1t that there was
Something curious" in the evident ef-
Tort OF the majority of the committee
IN attempting to force through the
Souncil contract with the American
street Lighting Company without So
curing competitive bids. and without
even making an inquiry into the cost
OF purchasing lamps
The matter has been under discus
sion at one meeting and another for
several months Last year the city
entered into contract with this com
pany for 900 lights, moro or less. at
$3.50 each. This year the COMMITTEES
recommended Il renewal at $I3. the city
TO furnish gas, the company to supply
nantes and globes and employ lamp
lighters. The ratification of the new
contract has been twice rejected BY
the Common Council, hut tho commit
tee holds its own by simply continuing
the old agreement by. not giving any
notice to the contractor to vacatc, and
continuing TO pay tho bill out of the
appropriation for lamp lighting.
Said City Could 10 Better.
Some months ago, Mr.. Seaton or
Clay Ward. who is not n member of
the committee stated In the Council
that the city could purchase the lamps
and light them itself at II lower cost
than that IT rented them and at the
end OF the year own the equipment The
matter was referred TO the Light Com
nttee. and by 1t to Superintendent
Knowles for a report.
Mr.. ltnowlcs's only report was ii let
ter from Thomas Ct. w Minor. the same
source OF information as that OF Mr..
Scaton. and Mr.. Knowles frankly stated
to the committee that he did not know
where else to go--that however long
It might be loft in his hands he would
have no fuller report than the Minor
letter. Mr. Powers. Of the committee.
curious about this gas lighting con-
tract which the majority seemed so
anxious TO force through. Mr.. IIobson
Z: agreed ed. that there seemed to be
which brought Mr. Knowles, protest
ing vehemently. to his feet In the
course OF the debate some insinua-
ton was made which seemed TO refer
TO Councilman Seaton as the agent
OF gas lighting concern n reference
which Mr.. Powers holly resented, and
gestion. speaking OF Mr.. Scaton rs
one who has only the interests OF the
city at heart and who has given
valuable information az to lighting
which may prove OF profit to the Com
Inittcc on Light.
Got Nothing In End.
Mr. Powers said that he was In
formed that the city was paying each
year the cost of the lamps In rental
and at the end of the year having
nothing to show for 1t. The letter from
the Minor concern, presented by Mr.
knowles, asserted that all gas lighting
concerns were In trust. and that
blind bids were submitted. so arranged
AS TO give the work to a local COM
panS. Mr. Knowles asserted that tho
Minor Company didn't answer Il single
question. but merely abused other com
Danics. After much wranGling and some
hot speeches. the committee adjourned
to meet next Friday night when Mr..
Seaton Will be Invited to give such in
formation as he has rs to street light
ing.
3. o. Carlton. a, blacksmith at the
Lower Gas Works. presented a claim
for four days for time lost from work
duty. There have been many such
claims recently from tho Light Com
mittee. and al the last meeting Of the
Council Chairman Pollard. of the
Finance Committee, lad one referred
to that committee. The Committee OH
Light therefore decided to send the
bill to Auditor Warren, and ordered
Mr.. Carlton paid for time lost out Of
regular pay roll funds without recon-
OF the committee to take such action
r,uocfjonad b,It fba MATURITY ruled