The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-15
EVERYBODY CALLS
I FOR The PLUMBER
But There Are So Many Shat
tered Pipes 1t Will Take
Weeks to Fix All.
BIG DRAIN ON GAS SUPPLY
Extra Men Work Day and Night
to Meet Extraordinary
Demand.
BIG DRAIN ON GAS SUPPLY


calling franticaIIy for u plumber, hum
dreds of houses boing without running
water and with only the most pro-
Curious gas supply, city officials in tho
Gas, Water and Electric Departments
nave been working night and day to
relieve the situation, all three depart
menis keeping large forces of men on
all day yesterday and reporting late
at night that conditions were 8 little
NOR" iavorable--that they were at
least holding their own.
III the Water Department the situa-
tion has been most difficult, but there
mas been no repetition OF the whole
sale tie-up which occurred for a time
III south Richmond OH Saturday. The
settling basins have weeks supply
OF water. oven were the river 10 ro-
main frozen hard, and nv oons,an,
pumping a pressure OF twenty feet was
reached in New Reservoir last night--
Two .cct OF the maximum capacity
aifording an ample supply even in tho
event OF lnrgc fire, which is tho
constant nightmare of both Fire and
Water department officials In such
weather
Pumping Under Difficulties.
Pumping has boon precarious and
Hc pant at the cleo
tric station has been in fun operation,
az the constant flow Of ice from time
10 time makes II necessary 10 shut
down both the water powor genera-
tors at tho electric plant and the d.
rect water pumps at the New Pump-
rouse Extra men have been kept
at work cutting this ice away. and ali
available power given to the water
pumping, though the men both at tho
electric plant and tine Pump House
nave had to work under freezing con-
ditions through long hours TO keep up
tho supply.
In hundreds of older residences
pipes nave frozen ana buret. Plumbers
would take rexulnr work yesterday.
mut the heads of several chops them
selves did such emergency work as
would prevent great loss and give
temporary relief where possible.
Danger of Fire.
fha great water tank which affords
lire protection for the Miller &.
Thoads store froze. and finding thar
the sprinkler system was out of com.
mission. number OF the moor walkers
ana employees OF the store were kent
on duty all yesterday and last night
TO guard against incipicnt fire. In
many other buildings yesterday extra
"ntchmen were employed. az il was
rohized thnt with frozen fire plugs
and slippery streets. and In many
cases with furnaces running to their
maximum capacity. the only chance OF
HnrinE property in case OF fire was 10
choke 1t at the first pun
The boilers in the heating system of
tho First Police Station exploded Sat
urday night. through the freezing OF
water feed pipe. causing damage
estimated at several hundred dollars
and making the station almost un
tenantabie. Freezing OF water pipes
necessitRted the abandonment OF hun
dreds OF cooking ranges attached to
hot water tanks In order to prevent
dangerous explosions.
The Gas Work has been laborinK I'M
der almost as great difficulties, steam
pipes have broken at tho upper holder
and other troubles duo to the extreme
cold weather making tho condensation
or gas most difficult. Saturday night
some actions OF the city suffered al
most gas famine. In many instances
the lighting OF a gas atove or hot water
heater on tho upper noors caused all
burners on tho lower floors instantly
TO go out while under tho best condi-
lions the light nickered UP and down
out feebly. Conditions were generally
oetter In the Wont End. where newer
mains and mower plumbing In the bones
gave q moro abundant supply Most Of
the complaints of freezing Ras pipes
nave como from old houses In tho con-
tral section OF the city. where the ser
Woe Pipes across areas. or where tho
meter Is exposed to freezing condi :.
lions. Superintendent knowleE rug
Bested last night that aa o precautlou
all house holders had better throw a
piece OF carpet or a heavy blanket over
their meters on freezing nights.
Owing probably to tho use of gas
stoves In an effort to keep warm, more
gas was burned In the past twenty four
hour8 than over before In the histor,
OF the gas works. 3.s09,0oo cubic fear
being consumed. The previous record
was on December a.. 1909. when 2,oSs-
ihp CUBIC feot was consumed
subbiy In Gaining.
Buy putting on large force Of ex-
ira men and running the works ell day
Mr.. Knowles reported a slight gain in
the amount IN the storage tanks. not
withdrawing this immense drain. When
he left tho worhs last night after
most strenuous twenty-four hours
there was moro than 100000 cubic feet
OF gas In the two holders. or more than
the maximum supply for twenty four
hours. and the gaze making machinery
was continuing to push the indicator
higher and higher. Mr.. Knowles said
he believed that the worst was over,
and that by the uso OF a large force of
additional men he could keep ahead of
all domandR, Notwithstanding the ex-
treme fficulties OF condesatIon OF eas
In bitter weather. Sixteen men have
been added to the outside force TO mid
In ha riy,er