The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-24
COUNCIL MEMBERS
INSPECT SEWER
Go Down Below Ground and See
Where 1t Cuts Through
Solid Granite.
WILL DRAIN WIDE AREA
Engineers and Contractors
Highly Commended for
Successful Work.


Erecting a saving of from 500 goo
to $4,000 in total cost by reason of I,
change in tho proposed route. the Viz
ginia Avenue sewer was put into use
By Mayor Richardson. city Engineer
Boiling and members OF the CITY
Council, city officials and others. From
day to day street basins I'm lateral
branches already laid Will bc opened
Tor use, until an area % 800 acres
lying within the city limits is dis
charging all storm and house drain
age into a main tunnel, which rum
through solid granite Tor more than
lepV rect, cmptyinS into James River
Visitors 60 Through Tunnel.
Those taking part in the Inspection
tour were the guests OF Stampcr, Rag
'and " CO.. contractors. VINO have sue
ceSSiuii* completed the more diilcult
portion of the undertaking Two day
coaches were well nllcd with proni-
hcnt men when the special train left
Main Street Station, while an EXPRESS
car carried bountiiul Refreshments. The
train ran hy the james River Di-
vision OF the Chesapeake and ohio
lsaiiWaS to the contractors private
siding at lIaNall station. the mouth Of
the tunnel Dozens of lanterns were
provided, and the entire party entered
the tunnel from its lower end, passIua.
under the canal and railway tracks
ana for more Than Il quarter OF a mile
up per cent. grade through the
ruSgcdly cut granite. Pass!n. under.
Virginia Avenue through the Iiiycrvieu
section at point approximately un
der the entrance to Major DooIcy's
place, the construction changed to a
brick arch eight feet In diameter. the
visitors continuing UP TO point whore
three arms branch Off like the nngersl
OF the hand. With revcrhcratins calls
and snatches OF songs. the party made
its way as through some cave. Re
turning to the opening. the party was
grouped around the lower end, and
city Engineer Boiling was called on
to tell of the work.
Swing OF S55,OOO.
lie explained how the original plan
for a drain down tho winding Dooley
ravinc, proposed in tho surveys OF the
annexed territory ana approved by
Colonel Cutshaw, had been altered to
more direct tunnel construction un-
dor Virginia Avenue, cffccting a saw
ing of approximately s55,oo0 in cost.
and employing the drainage a half-mile
lower down in the river. For the con
structiOu work. Mr.. Boiling give all
oi the credit to the contractors and to
his assistant engineer, T.. j keegan.
VINO had been constantly on the job
throughout construction. Working I'm
two directions, the tuunc!.ns parties.
he said. had met with less than a half
AN inch variation in lines.
Mayor Richardson congratulated the
city and the contractors OH the sue
ccssful conclusion OF so great an un
dc!taking, expressing his approval OF
the present plan OF building sewers by
definite system rather than hap
hazard, telling OF conditions formerly
existing where arch drains empty into
pines Of half their carrying capacity.
Assistant city Engineer Evcgan
spoke in high praise OF the contrac-
tors. who. lac said, had constantly
pushed the work forward in all wealth
CT. and without amy cause for COM
rlaini. Mn. Stamper. of the contract
Ing firm who has been constantly in
charge OF the undertaking. spoke
briefly. giving much credit to Jiu
Coleman, a typical Virginia negro. VINO
has been the dynamite expert Oh the
job placing and exploding enormous
quantities oi explosives without Sc
rious mishap. Coleman was brought
forward and highly praised Tor his
vigilance, skin ana fidelity on the
work.
SHOULD Stnnd for Centuries.
Colonel &. +. T.. Burgwyn, a civil en-
gincer o! long experience. who had ac-
companied the party. said that he had
Inspected great culverts in Rome, said
to have been constructed 500 years be-
fore Christ. From what he had seen
OF the great tunnel through granite,
and the massive concrete construction
In connection with il; he was OF
opinion that the enterprise Just com
rlctcd should stand as long
chief Health Officer T.. &. Levy
spoke of the great influence on the
health of the entire city in aTording
drainage TO so large q section. rapidly
becoming thickly populated, sar.ng
mat no enterprise since nc had been
In office mad been OF more Importance
TO iii. health Of the citizens than the
completion of the sewerage system. of
Which the Virginia Avenue sewer j.
the largest and most important link.
Several others congratulated the
contractors on the skilful handling OF
Il dihicult piece Of work L.. -. r.
Myers. Jr.. consulting engineer for the
contracting firm invited all to join
in refreshments, and when all had
partaken OF tho ample fare provided.
iifty or more negroes who had been
employed on the work were called up,
ana after singing several typical wori.
songs for the company. were fed to
their hearts content. The party re
turned to Richmond ny special train
shortly before i o'clock.
Three Have Died.
1t was remarked that Alderman
John W. Moore was the last surviving
member q the subcommittee Of the
former street Committee which passed
on the nnU plans under which the
contract was awarded. Tie committee
had Us its members Councilmcn John
j. Lynch ana G. Price Davis, and called
in for expert advic" on the drainage
plans Assistant city Engineer Jack
son Bolton. All three have since died.
Several members of the Committee ON
street., took occasion TO express them
selves informally on the permanent
and substantial cha racter Of tho work.
ana CITY Engineer BoilinE ana the