The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-04
WILL ASK PROBE
Of DEPARTMENTS
COUNCILMAN GEORGE CEASE
WOULD LIKE TO LOCATE
NIGER IN woODPILE.
WEARY OF SQUABBLES
WATER AND ELECTRICAL PLANTS
TO BE INVESTIGATED IF
COUNCIL ADOPTS
REsoLUTION.
WEARY OF SQUABBLES

In an effort to find out where the
Niger In the wood pile really 10.
Councilman George NJ Cease, OF Mon
roe ward. announces that he Will in
troduce a resolution at the session OF
the Common Council tonight calling
for an investiga ton Of tho City Elec-
trical and Water Departments. He
will ask that the probing committee
consist OF FIVE members--three from
the Comon Council and two from the
Board of Aldermen.
By this method Mr.. Cease hopes to
give the public some definite informa-
ton on the subject of these two de-
partme1ts with reference to the
squabbie growing out Of the proposed
permanent organization of the NUM-
cipa' electric plant to which the Coun-
ell Water Committee. headed by Cap
tain Morgan r, Mills, objects on the
ground that the Electrical Department
Is trying to pass out q raw deal to his
department In the matter OF charges
for current and power,
SO many statements and counter
statements have been made since the
controversy started six months or
more ago that no one appearsto know
exactly what the trouble rs. At
meeting of the Water Committee few
nights ago Captain Mills intimated
-theFeAwa FiggeT-tH, the weed
pile somewhere. And at this same
meeting a subcom mittee headed by
Mr. -Gunst MAS delegated to probe the
matter to the bottom.
May Not Report.
The sube ommittee agreed to meet
"a
have a report ready by $50 P. II. to
then to the Council little later. II
the report were approved. II was
stated, however. that owing to the fact
that CouDsulting Engineer Trafford OF
the electric plant is Ill In a Baltimore
hospital there was a possibility that
the subcommittee might not ascertain
all the information desired this after
noon. In such IN event, it was suE-
gested that 1t would he time enough
to report al the April session OF Coun-
Gil.
II is likely that the electric plant
row will precipitate lively debate at
the meeting of the Common Council
tonight. Mr.. Lynch. chairman of the
Electricity Committee. Is expected 10
have god deal to say on the subject.
and there is Mr.. Seatop. who = armed
to the teeth with facts and figures.
which. he asserts. Captain Mills can
not refute. although the captain out
wittsd him at a meeting OF Council
some weeks ago by inducing the body
10 refer the electric plant ordinance
to the Water Committee after plead
ing that this courtesy was due his
committee. Mr.. Seaton will also have
something to say again tonight, unless
all signs fail.
Trafford Stands Pat.
Meanwhile Mr.. Trafford is standing
pat and in addition to a stipulated
salary is drawing 8 per cent. on all
construction work which the city exc
cutes under his supervision. In other
words. il the city decides TO spend
$50. 900 for ornamental lights on Main
street. IL would mean $500 additional
in Mr.. Trafford's pocket
The ordinance which has been hang
ing fire these many months. nro-
vides for the election OF a superin-
tendent of the electric plant at a stated
salary with no rake Off on the side.
There are several candidates In the
race for this position but Mr.. Trnfford
has never formally entered the arena
himself Among the candidates was
Charles r. Winston. Of Barton
HEIGHTS. who was debarred because OF
the fact that he lived outside the city
limits. Hin Montague, his brother-in
Law. made an effort recently to enable
him to get around this obstacle by in
PRODUCING bin in the Legislature to
amend the city charter with reference
To the time applicants for appointive
offices should reside In Richmond.
The bill was killed in the House OF
Delegates Saturday.