The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-21
ENGINEERS ORDER
NOT CARRIED OUT.
Grand Jury Blames Knowles and
Davis for Condition OF
Streets.
MUST WATCH CONTRACTORS
Levy Says bitches Not as Dan
gerous as Wells and I'm
sanitary Yards.

superintenden,s of the Gas and Wa
ter Departments of the city are held
primarily responsible for the wretched
condition of streets in South Rich
mond, in report submitted to Judge
L. IL Wells in Huatlngs Court Part :.
by the grand Jury yesterday. The
report says that the progress OF the
improvements IS all that could be
desired. but that the specifications fur
n!shed by the City Engineers ONCE,
with the permit to open the streets.
have not been followed by the Gas and
Water Departments. These two de-
partments mentioned are stated TO
have ample authority to compel their
contractors to FOLLOW the proper sDeci-
noations for the work
\ statement from Chief Health ON
Ger Z. {. Lazy holding that the work
IL progress Is not menace TO health,
and stating that the rapid introduce
ton througnou South Richmond Of
water mains and sewers Will nave
much 10 do with improving health
conditions Ia that section. was aled
with the report
Judge Wells ordered a certified COPY
~ the report or the grand jury TO be
served on Superintendent w. 2.
Knowles of the Gas Department; sup
erintendent Eugent I. Davis, OF the
Water Department City Engineer
Charles (. Boiling. and on Chairman
william Il. Adams. Of the Council! Com
r.ittee on Streets.
Report OF Grand Jury.
The report OF the grand fury fol-
lows:
TO Hon. E. H. Wells. Judge Of the
Hastings Court. Part IL. OF the city
OF Richmond W.
The regular grand Jury. acting un-
de. the instructions OF your honor.
In your charge to them with refer
ence 10 the work being done in con-
nect!on with the laying OF the gas
and water mans In the streets Of
the southside Of the city. after care
fui Investigation OF the matter. the
following facts have been established
by the evidence presented;
F!rst-The progress made in the
conduct Of the work IS all that could
he desired We think, however. that
speed has been accomplished at the
price OF the safety and the convent
ence OF those using the streets. This
is shown By the fact that too grea'
length OF trenches are opened up
a, one time and allowed TO remain
open FOR TOO long time.
seoond-We find that the speo!hca-
lions contained IN the permit copy
Of which is attached. granted b. the
city Engineers ONCE for the opening
up OF the trenches in the streets fully
proviGes the manner in which the
work is 10 be done IN order that the
streets may be restored 10 former con-
ditiou The specificntions hnve not
been fully complied with. and as re-
suit the trenches which have been
n,Ied 'nre very much higher thnn the
surface OF the roadhcd, rendering the
street. In many places unsnfe for gem
erai traffic and exceedingly dangerous
20 the Fire Department In responding
to alarms.
Th!rd-The Water and Gas Depart
ments are fully provided with author
itv 10 compel contractors for the
trenches TO properly follow the speci-
ecatlons. II these specifications are fol-
lowed. and the length of trenches
opened up is reduced and the time
consumed in hlling the trenches short
ened the evils complained of Will be
remedied.
Tourth-we hle herewith a state
rent from DR.. E. c. Levy chef health
officer. giving his opinion on the Ct
feet of digging up the streets on the
ne slth OF tho community.
All of which is most respectfully
submitted.
<ctr.5, T. " YDrr>-rOBn