The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-03

very dangerous adultcrants have been
round of late in candies-adultcran
such as arsenic--nonc Of the samples
examined by me contained any noXious
or injurious materials
The Engineers Department furnished
most Of the samples during the year
among which were the following: &C.
ncnt samples representing 400 bar
/ rclsb, tar paper, coal tar pitch, sand
asphalt, etc. all of which materials are
being used in the construction OF our
streets and the Mayo Bridge
rev months ago a contractor pub-
llshed IN The Times Dispa tch Il state
thcht That he was behind with his city
WORK because the City Chemist had
condemned the sand he expected to use
Not that he wished to use an inferior
material, he bought what he thought
iirst-Ciass sand. but the examination
showed that IL did not come up TO the
requirements of the City Engineer
MI the cement used in city work is
inspected and examined according TO
the methods prescribed by the Amer
lean Society of civil Engineers This
inspection and examination Is carried
out IN Il very careful nanncr, thus: as
soon as shipment OF cement is re-
ceiVed by the contractor he notifies
the Engineers Office, and an INSPECTOR
is sent out, who collects samples sep
aratcly from each car and brings them
TO the laboratory, where the tests are
made. Meanwhile the cement is held
Tor seven days i'm a house. protected
from the weather. II after the seven
day tests III the laboratory the cement
~ found satisfactory. each bag or bar
re! Is SO marked, and may then be
used by the contractor on city work
This method Of examining the ce-
ment is Il great safeguard to the city
against q carload of inferior cement
which sometimes gets away from the
mills unrecognized. or one that may
be damaged in transit
\ striking instance OF the value of
| the work of this office may be pointed
out in connection with the purchase OF
asphalts or road binders last year.
Certain samples of asphalt were exam
ined, and the results pointed TO one OF
them as being best suited for certain
work; this sample was recommended.
! When the price of this asphalt was
considered 1t was found to be only 81
per cent OF that Of It's nearest compet-
itor. IN buying this particular asphalt
the city saved 8 cents per gallon on
10000 gallons.
MI the coal. both steam and gas.
purchased By the Light Department is
bought on specification, and samples
arc frequently examined in the labo-
! ratory to see that the coal furnished
/ is Of the quality guaranteed.
MANY other departments OF the city
are using the Chemical Laboratory, and
all have the right to do so rs fire.
| Qucntly and as extensively as they
wish for the ordinance creating the
! Office Of CRY Chemist provides that he
shall do such chemical work as may
bc required OF him by the Mayor. Po-
I lice Justice head of any department.
or the Administrative Board.
I Tho value of chemical Investigations
/ is being moro fully appreciated, and
I the work Of this office is constantly in
| creasing. so that IL is not unrcason-
! able TO hope that ere long the Cheini-
cal Department of the city OF Richmond
may equal in Importance and extent
chat of other cities OF fse size and
/ pros rcssiYencsa.
/ Very truly yours.
/ JAMES II. WHITFIELD.
City Chemist.