The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-18
ELECTRICAL LAW
IGNORES FACTIONS
Committee Recommends Substi
tutc Ordinance Designed TO
Protect Public.
ELECTRICIANS LOSE FIGHT
Amended Measure Contains \,
Regulations as to Mum
Der OF Helpers.

IN tho belief that 81 would be idle
TO attempt 10 franc an electrical or
. dinanco TO meet tho views OF both
electricians and contractors. special
subcommittee from the Council Com
mittee on Ordinances last night dis
carded the various schedules of amend
in"nts submitted 70 the committee, ana
recommended for adoption II substi-
tutc ordinance prepared By the CIV
Electrical Department.
rho measure recommended was orig
mail submitted to the OLD Council
Committee CT Electricity. with tho
. abolition Of the committee the paper
| dropp1i out o! sight for almost a wear
! 70 - rescued from oblivion last uil-ht
ana again placed in tho way OF be-
coming law In a general way il 1neet,i
( the demand for Tightening Of the cleo
! tricai code ~ tho interest OF public
safety. 1t does not. hcwcvcr, secure
the two specific objects sought By the
electrical WORKERS.
y" Helper Clause.
At repcated hearings before tho Or
dinance Committee tho electrical work
ers OF the city asked for an Amendment
making II unlawful for q contractor 10
work more than ono helper or APP
prentice with each licensed electrician
An amendment was ALSO asked 10 re-
quiTe contractors within twenty four
hours after beginning work on Il Job
to furnish the City Electrical Depart
inent with list of all tho electricians
and helpers they proposed TO employ
In the work.
Conferences were held between rep
, TeSentativcs OF the contractors ana
workmen. Little difficulty was expert
cnced In agreeing on the dozen or moro
other amendments to tho present law
but the two factions srlit hopelcssly
on tho helper and report issues. tho
contractors declining 10 agree to them.
The ordinance recommended last night
contains 10 reference 10 either
Provides Examining Board.
An Important amendment in the APP
proved measure provides for the Gre
aticn OF Il board OF electrical examiners
I TO pass upon all applications for cleo
tri"al licenses The examining func-
/ tion is under the present Law vested
In the City Electrician. The fee OF 81
remains Unchanged
Tho ordinance increases tho license
fec for electrical contractors from S2J
a wear 10 500 L year. This section
WAS approved by vote OF . 10 !.
Courcilmen Moore and Nonderlehr, Of
the committee, supporting it. and Al
dcrman Paul opposing 1t. MIR. Paul
thought That to raise the fee TO 500
would unduly burden tho modest con
( tractor as we'll rs the electrical work
man Who was ambitious and wanted
10 so Into the contracting business
himself.
\ new section requires that at least
one member Of an electrical contract
ing firm applying for 4 contractors
license toe licensed electrician Such
requirement is not made by the pres
ont law.
Wiring In Steel ConduIts.
-iiI wiring within the fire limits. the
new ordnance provides. whether in
puhlic halls, schools. hospitals apart
meNt houses or other buildings, must
be done in steel or irsn conduits. Tho
restriction is enforced now only as
regards theatres and moving picture
shows. MI wiring in the Easements of
residences. whether within or without
the :lrc lines, il is provided must like
wise he done IN steel or iron conduits.
The ordinance contains a number Of
other amendments regulating the cleo
trical Industry in the interest OF great
or protection TO the public. 1t was
transmitted by the subcommittee to
the city Attorney with tho request that
II be put in legal form and recommend
ed TO the Ordinance Committee
The meeting of the subcommittee
was attended by Assistant City Attor-
ney George Wayne Anderson and Flee
trical Inspector J. l.. Speichts The
subcommittee consists OF Councilman
Moore, chairman; Councilman Wonder
lchr ana Alderman Paul.