The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-01
MERGER
IN EFFECT TODAY
Trafford Becomes Superintend-
ent of Electric Plant and
City Electrician.
THOMPSON TO GET FULL PAY
Amended Ordinance Would Pre-
serve $500 Salary to Fire
Alarm Superintendent.

beginning to-day tho title of Z. w
Trafford becomes superintendent of the
Electric Plant and City Electrician
I'm, me latter office which has for 4 num-
Der OF years been held by w. III. Thomp-
son. was n month ago merged by the
administrative Board with the office
OF Superintendent of the Electric Plant
ana placed under Mr.. Trafford's direc-
ton.
The merger carries into effect an
economy of administration long con-
ten ipn &c by. by the board. In antici-
Superintendent Traffords salary was
recently raised from s2.5Oo to $4,000
ties OF tho two Offices were so inter
related In their nature that a merger
would eliminate all conflict Of authori-
BY virtue of his new office Mr.. Trar-
ford assumes control to-day over all
permits for electric wiring whether
Bowry and Speights hereafter report
10 him instead of TO Mr. Thompson He
Is put directly in control over all work
done under the city's electrical code
ana is clothed with authority to grant
licenses to persons desiring to cngaec
| III the electrical business.
Reduces ThOmpsOn's Salary.
Tho merger OF the two offices divest
cd Mr.. Thompson of his duties as CITY
Electrician. and at the same time OF
That position. 1t left him still his POI
| sition as superintendent of tire Fire
l.
ments r. salary, OF $500 a year
Mr.. Thompson has served tho city
thirty years and has raised the police
efficiency. It was felt for this reason
, that steps should DO taken to preserve
TO him his original $9,5oo salary. which
the merger reduced by $500.
The Administrative Board notified
ihe Board OF Fire commissioners. which
held special meeting on Monday
effect this morning and that In con-
sequence of ii Alr. Thompson's salary
would be reduced by $500 year. II
OF the change
To ncstorc Reduction.
me Fro Board took notice of the
situation by approving for adoption by
friends of Mr.. Thompson which pro-
poses TO place Mr.. Thompson. with the
approval of the Fire Commissioners. in
nal system. these duties 10 be per.
Of The Board OF Police Commissioners
For this work MIR. Thompson is to re-
ceive the sum Of 500 year.
tbe ,ncr,o ore st Thor III d"rTo pilot 10
intcndent OF lire alarms. and also by
virtue of his office as city Electrician
and and signal system 1t was Was o ibSEmI
not the intention of tho Administrative
Board TO transfer 10 Mr.. rrafford the
responsibility for the police telegraph
system along with his new duties "A.
/ city Electrician, since the two actlVi.
! ties are under Independent boards
Cures Present Defect.
! Tho present ordinance, however
makes the City Electrician superinten
dent of the police telegraph system
| The amended ordinance cures the de
feet by providing that the supcrin
tendent of fire alarms shall. by virtu,
OF his office be also superintendent o
the police telegraph and signal system
and appropriates salary of 800 foi
that purpose. 1t will have the effec
of restoring to Mr.. Thompson the sal
airy. he enjoyed before the merger.
have the approval of the Administra.
tive Board and will, it is expected, bt
approved by the Board of Police Com
missionerS. An effort will he made tC
have il introduced at tic reg ular meet
ing of tho Common Council on Monday
night