The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-03

which Is growing worse all the time
and his recommendation. in which
cordially unite. that the city secure
proper plans for tho erection OF suit
able municipal building on the Ford
Hotel lot. This is a pressing need.
Most departments are overcrowded. and
the police headquarters. in all serious
ness Is joke" The attention Of the
Council is called to recommendation
or the City Electrician that all wiring
in Easements or cellars, all wiring in
public buildings, and all wiring within
the FIRE limits" shall be installed in
steel or iron conduits
The first complete report of opera
tion OF the City Electric Plant is com
mented on at some length. More than
double the former quantity OF street
and other public lighting is now be-
ing done at an annual cost of SIC, 900.
including depreciation allowance. and
| the present illumination would cost II
former rates from $4,000 To $4,000,
says the Mayor. Attention is called to
the wisdom OF providing for an addi-
tional steam reserve 10 take care of
conditions produced by low water,
freshets and Ice. While IL is Gus
tomary. says the Mayor, for merche 8
on extra lighted streets to contribute
to the cost. such has not been done
here. and the city has borne the en-
tire cost of the ornamental illumina-
ton OF Broad Street, which is the re-
tail district and one OF the best lighted
streets In America. The cost OF this
lighting Is $500 per block per year.
Put Wires Underground.
me Mayor advises an annual extern
sion or the territory lighted. by under
ground wires. AT present practically
all the wires leave the plant on a sin
gle trunk pole line, which is now car
! rying hfty-two wires. An accident TO
h,
ter, and the Importance OF an under
ground connection with the plant is
apparent. 1t is suggested that the cost
OF this work might be extended over n
period OF years.
we should abandon" saws the
Mayor. the practice OF erecting cheap,
unsightly wooden poles on improved
streets. Where we have asphalt block
! paving and granolithic curbing only
| iron poles should be erected | recon
mend that the physical property OF
this plant. as we'll as that of the Gas
ana Water Departments, be carefully
surveyed each year, TO determine the
depreciation undergone. and that the
! amount thereof be actually appropri
ated and placed to the credit OF a de
probation account, to be available for
| improvements or requirements when
the same may be advisable. This will
| prevent repetition of our late expert
ence with one department.. when the
city, AFTER years Of neglect. was forced
IN one year suddenly To incur an ex-
! traordinary large expenditure for re-
! Placements The value of the Electric
Plant is placed IN the report at S632.-
@2i42, the total OF expended appropria
| tons.
1t furnished last year power for
water pumping worth sl6,05I.2o; the
! ooO-watt incloscd arcs were lighted
! nj total cost OF s3167 per lamp pei
annum, against the former contra CT
cost OF s54.75; flame arcs on the over
! head service were operated at S5003
| per lamp per annum, and in the under
ground district at SS219; incandes
] cent street lamps at $l253, ornamental
lights ] A NJ. service. $562i per pole
per year. all night service $64.5e
Methods of Accounting.
The Mayor indorses the recommen.
dalton OF Special Accountant Crenshaw
that all municipal industrial activities
be placed upon proper bookkeeping
basis, and that their accounts contain
all charges and credits properly fol.
lowing private ownership. as matter
OF justice to the plants and TO the
community. and to avoid criticism o.
/ municipal management There are ;
number Of other recommendations II
Mr.. Crcnshaws report which the Mayol
says no had not yet had opportunit,
to properly consider and digest bu
which are Of great interest. and which
Will be made the subject OF n specia
/ message 10 tho Council
In conclusion, the Mayor tells OF tn
hi monthly meeting OF department
heads In his Office. with the object o
bringing them into closer and NOR
frequent communication, and thus oh
tain resultant corporation anon,
all the departments. which had no
heretofore existed and which can onl,
hr!ng Improvement and economy Il
public work. The plan received promp
and hearty approval. for which tn,
| Mayor expresses his thanks