The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-05

damages to owners OF abutting prop
erty has been settled.
The report OF the city chemist DEM
onstrates the wisdom of having such
an officer. The total costs of the de-
partment including salary, was 3d.
s37. He has examined samples repre-
senting Ass barrels of cement, which
alone would have cost l.s0o., and
made other tests, In all amounting IL
s5.5l7. He has made repeated exami-
..ations OF the gas furnished TO the
cellent quality, and that the coal used
at the works Is of high grade.
The Branch Baths.
The Branch baths are growing III
popularity and usefulness every year
The number OF baths was 52.S25. show
ing an increase over the number lass
year. The expenses, including sala-
ries, were S5,5ls.s6. The revenues
from the baths were 32,s6l.3l. The
city made an appropriation OF $4,000
for the maintenance of the baths. to,
only the sum OF $4,000 was expended
Some months ago his excellencs
Governor Mann requested a conference
with the Mayor and city attorney with
reference to the purchase from the
city by the State OF portion OF tbs
block OF land lately acquired by the
city. bounded by Eleventh, Twelfth
Capitol and Broad streets, for the pur-
pose OF erecting thereon building foi
use by the State. / am informed tina,
committee was appointed by the
General Assembly to negotiate for this
purchase.
respectfully recommend that the
city sell to the State the eastern hall
OF this block of land at cost, plus in.
hn fptA rsf lSc IA a
by the city.
Would Purchass Dock.
In my last annual message I ex-
pressed the opinion that, the city
should own the dock and gave. my
reasons therefor. but as the PROPOSE.
tion to close II was then pending be-
fore the State Corporation Commits.
sion. did not advise any action al
that time. Now that the question has
been settled. I unhesitatingly recon-
mend that the dock be purchased 81
acquired by the city II the property
can be obtained at reasonable price
The city engineer strongly recon-
mends the running of gas. water ani
sewer connection pipes to the propert,
line at the time the mains ana sewers
are laid, 80 that the streets may no,
be cut UP after they are graded and
improved. and whenever It become.
necessary to make a house connection
The great delay In grading and i'm.
proving new streets II chiefly be-
cause Of the routine work of assessing
damages to abutting owners. The
present method usually delays the
work for many months, and freQuentl,
II 10 not ordered to be done until late
In the year when bad weather prt
vents its completion before the ap.
preparation expires. He suggests tina,
40 . consideration for release from
damages the city VIII agree to fur
nieh four-foot granolithic walkwa,
which viii cost about 60c per Inca
foot. Many per.inen Mt suggestions are
contained in the report an to the hes,
paving for the different character o,
streets.
The superintendent of the Street
Cleaning Department reports that Il
Il collecting ashes, garbage and trasa
from 36.4oo houses. cleaning 1,l0t
street basins. eleven square miles q,
streets ana alleys. conducting I dos
pound. ming up unus.0 wells and car.
Ing tor all drinking fountains and
water troughs. He accords mucl
praise to the men In his department
and says that they Are q industrio,i,
and faithful - any men engaged II
any department Of the city, or "a an,
private enterprise. He malken severa
Recommendation which merit consid.
eration by the council.