The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-06-06


to 10 per cent. On the street rail-
way franchise this nets the city $780,
900 annually, Mr.. Crenshaw stated
The street railway Company also ex-
Ponds about $40. 900 annually in paw
ing between and on the sides of its
tracks, making a total of 100000 re-
ceived by the city as practically
rental for the use of the streets by
the ira elton system.
Extending Gas Service.
out of eighteen cities of the same
class as Richmond only two, Birming
ham and Reading, have a lower tax
rate, the city auditor showed.
Mr.. Crenshaw was excused at 4
o'clock and Superintendent Knowles,
of the gas works, was called to tes-
tify. The present manufacturing
plant will be able to take care of the
territory proposed to be annexed with
out any trouble in the world" Mr..
Knowles declared. The present plant
has a daily capacity OF 4 100000 cubic
feet. whereas the consumption now is
only 100000 cubic feet About SO
per cent of all the gas used now is
utilized for cooking and heating pur-
poses
As indicative of the city's gas policy
toward new territory. Mr.. Knowles de-
clared that sci 900 had been spent in
South Richmond since its annexation,
and there was still on hand n balance
Of sS1 900 to be used for further i'm
provements in the gas service in
Sclithside South Richmond is the
best piped town in the United States,
Mr. Knowles proudly proclaimed, and
If YOU don't believe It, You can send
any engineer in the world over there
to check me up" The gas mains
have already been extended to the
corporate limits in South Richmond
and West End, and can be extended
into the new territory Immediately
after annexation at cost or about
$4,000 n mile. Two engineers are
row working nut comprehensive
scheme for the extension and improve
ment of the gas system, Mr.. Knowles
declared, and. as showing their ability
he stated that they were receiving
$4,000 salaries.
In answer to a question by Attor-
ney White. representing Highland
Park Mr., Knowles said that IN the
event of annexation he would recon-
mend the taking over of any private
plants serving the annexed territory
al a fair figure rather than force them
out Of business by competition. 1'he
city could Immediately furnish High
land Park at n rate Of 90 cents as
against the rate of s1.f0. less 10 per
cent for cash, as is now charged. The
acetvlene gas plant in Manchester WAS
not taken over by the city because OF
a disa greement over the price. The
city thought that the price set by the
owners was exorbitant.
Waxing reminiscent. Mr. Knowles
related that gas was first turned on
In the city Of Richmond, on February
%. 1851. and that for the first three
years a million cubic feet was not
consumed In 63 years the consunp~
ton Of gas has increased to ee4o9a,-
600 cubic feet annually.
Mr. Davis Testifies.
Superfntendent Davis. Of the water
works followed Mr. Knowles ON the
stand, and had not completed his tes-
tfmony when court adjourned for the
evening AS showing the adequate
ness of his plant to take care OF the
proposed increased territory Mr. Da-
Wis said that the daily consumption
OF water in the city noss was on a. an
average of 1880 .000 gallons and the
cana city was so 600 GOO, which In an
emergency could he increased TO 40,-
600. 600 gallons.
Mr.. Davis estimated that 1t would
cost 5000 900 To extend the water sys-
tern into the territory proposed to he
annexed The extension OF thu gas
system. he thought, would increase the
amount to a million, This extension
of the water system would reduce the
pressure in some sections Of the city,
but not to any material extent.
Y caterdaY WAS the fifth day OF the
annexation proceedings, The lawyers
on both sides agree In the opinion
that another week will be required 70
finish the case. Some go so far as TO
estimate that two more weeks Will be
consumed The most acceptable esti-
mate however, is ten days. The city
has about half a dozen more witnesses
to offer before the opposition begins
the introduction of testimony. Very
few spectators wore present at tie
hearings yesterday, as on the day be-
fore. only a half a dozen being In
court at any one time.
Richard Evelyn Byrd, former
speaker of the house of delegates. en-
tered the case yesterday as represen-
tativc of the Henrico board of super.
visors.