The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-17

wants of the various departments un-
der control of the board the figures
! have been limited to the actual neces-
stiles.
/ HcErets LacE OF bridge Approaches.
| 1t Is remarked that tho board real
ICES the unfortunate condition OF the
approaches to the new bridge, and
awaits impatiently such action by the
i Council as Will enable IL to take up the
/ matter and push IL to a satisfactory
conclusion; and that 1t is ready with
plans for n new Ninth Street bridge or
for repairing the old structure. Among
seemingly lesser things, the board has
insisted on the repair of all street de-
4 fccts and on its refusal TO allow any
moro poles to be erected, except where
absolutely necessary. AS an indication
!, OF the economy that has been prac-
ticed. the report states that twenty-five
| biocks have been paved with old sDalls
picked up from tho streets Further
economy has resulted from tho award
ing of contract for a large part OF the
street surface work. And In regard 10
general street Improvement IL is said
| that il Is extremely desirable that au-
/ thority for issuing allegations, now
resident in the Council should be con-
ferred upon the Administrative Board
In answer to the demand for the i'm
! proVement OF Shockoc Creek. the board
! has. at considerable expense made II
complete survey of the course of the
creek from It's entry into the river to
the extreme western limits OF tho city.
| In the neigh borhood of the Boulevard
or Hermitage Road.
The board has attempted improve
ment of the street Cleaning Depart
ment, and is impressed with the effcc-
/ tiVeness of the patrol system, which has
been tried in several sections of the
city. II has also installed three street
flushing machines.
The dumps are still found TO he a
nothersome question and 1t is hoped
that some solution OF the difficulty may
be found. though, the report says, the
expense Will be Inevitable.
Commends City Home Stan.
Some attention Is paid to the progress
OF the city's charity work. and the
staff of physicians, surgeons and
nurses at the City Hospital is COM
mended. The work will be improved
by the acceptance OF the Virginia Hos
pltal as municipal hospital. The re-
port shows that there has been a de-
crease In building activity. owing to
conditions general the country over,
but several buildings have been COM
pleted' and repair work to the City Jail
has been noticeably expensive, this
work costing more than $1,000.
Further Improvement OF the parks
Is contemplated. and the report states
1T may be worth while to mention
that the expenditure for music In the
parks during this year was larger than
In any other previous year" The board
also contemDlates Improvement to the
cemeteries, but would be unwilling to
undertake any work that would wound
the sensibilities of those who have
loved ones inferred therein. and i'm
provcment Will not be practicable un-
til the custom OF mounding graves Is
abandoned. Commendatory notice is
taken of the playground work.
Should Not Sell Gas Works,
Detailed attention Is paid to the
various departments under the control
OF the board. and especial attention is
paid to the report of Mr. Glasgow as
. TO the Gas Department 1t is the pur-
pose Of tho board during the coming
| year. the report states. to employ the
ablest specialist to be found to make
and report to the board complete sur
cey Of the distributing system and the
defective methods used at the places OF
consumption. The Gas Works is
wisely administered. the board finds,
and should not be allowed to pass from
its control.
In regard to the water, Department.
the board states that fire protection
Tor the lower congested business dis
trict Of the city has been greatly
Improved by the installation of an
increased number Of fire MIGRANTS. For
South Richmond sufficient supply of
clear water for domestic use and full
supply for fire protection have been
provided for.
In reviewing the work of the City
Chemist. the board finds that his sam
! pling OF the coal furnished the city has.
for the manufacture of gas, resulted
In rebates amounting to s9SS during a
period of eight months
The report calls attention to the fact
that on the death of the former harhor
master the duties of tina office were
consolidated with those of the docl,
master and SO the salary of one officer
was saved to the city The board also
abolished the office or second assistant
superintendent OF the City Home
For the further facilitation of it's
work. the board recommends. IL II be
possible, that the Council provide by
law some plan whereby, tho Admins