The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-23
DEPARTMENT. ESTIMATES
ARE LARGER THIS YEAR
Finance Committee Hears Detailed
Discussion of Needs Presented BY
Department Heads.
BUDGET HEARING. CONTINUED.
New CoIored Orphanage Appeals For
Small Appropriation-Cap Nc
Carthy Quizzcs Speakers In Effort
to show Survey Unnecessary.

Heads of departing under the
supervision OF the Administrative
Board appeared before the Finance
Committee of Council last night to
explain in detail the figures present.
ed in their estimates of expenses for
the fiscal year, to be included in the
budget More than three hours were
spent in discussion of these and few
outside requests and the committee
adjourned, continuing the hearing
until later in the week, when another
session will be called.
Each of the department heads
heard presented estimates larger than
the amounts granted in the budget
of year ago. The high cost of ma
terials and OF labor, the growth OF
the city. and the larger needs of Rich
mond entered into the making UP Of
the figures presented.
Departments Heard From.
Departments heard from were the
Electrical whose claims were pre-
scented by superintendent Trafford
the Gas Department, by Superintend-
ent Knowles: Health Department. by
DR.. Levy. and Street Cleaning Depart
ment, by Superintendent Cohn. Other
departments under the Administrative
Board were represented by heads in
attendance, but their estimates were
not reached. All members of the Ad-
mtnistrative Board were present but
the boards estimates were not dis
cussed, the plan under which the
committee is working being to hear
from each department separately and
then to take up the figures presented
by the Administrative Board.
Captain Mccarthy On Hand
Captain Carlton Mccarthy. OF the
Administrative Board asked of the de-
partment heads a number of questions
with reference to the efficiency of the
respective departments, evidently in
endeavor to bring before the commit
tee facts In argument against the
financing Of a municipal survey. His
line OF questioning brought before the
committee the contention that If the
departments were sufficiently provided
for, their heads could give the city rs
efficient service as could be given were
a survey had and its results applied.
When the committee session was
opened by Sub-chairman Seaton, MIR.
Poole, OF the Atlantic Bitulithtc Com
p ny. presented his company's
claims for refund of taxes which
are said to have been enormously
under consideration for action later.
City Aid Asked.
City aid in the sum of $500 for the
support of the colored orphanage at
1913 Taylor street was asked of the
committee by Rev. DR.. j. Calvin Stew
art and Mrs. Stewart. The presenta-
ton OF this need was impressively
made. ana the pathetic phase doomed
large The institution. which has been
i@y e,r Iv1at %n
this time been supported solely by
voluntary contributions secured by
Mrs. Stewart and her co~workers from
certain generous persons,
The building occupied by the in
stitution was. until three years ago.
rented by the friends of the helpless,
homeless negro children. The prop
erty was purchased by them and the
orphanage incorporated. The organt-
xation. realizing the many calls upon
the city. has hesltnted TO ask city aid
until this time, II was asserted. and
the modest request--for s6o0--was
withheld until the preparation of the
budget for the coming year,
A number of pathetic incidents
were recited by both Mrs. Stewart
and Dr Stewart, and a number of
questions were answered emphasizing
the worthiness of the institution and
it's need. The committee instructed
Mrs Stewart to present her reques,
in writing that it may become a mat
ter of record and assured her 1t
would receive thoughtful considera-
ton.
Fairgrounds Increase.
For public Fairgrounds, /. Mex.
Judkins asked that the budget pro-
vide s2T.2a5 about $1,000 more than
was given by the committee last year.
MIR. Judkins explained the increase by
showing the need for improving the
Fairgrounds and recreation centers
w f. Purcell. Jr.. presented his
report. showing small increase In
revenue from tax assessments, and
the cost of making inquiry into as
sessments.
Major j" Fulmer Bright. of the
Richmond Grays' battalion. asked the
committee to include in the budget
for the battalion the sum OF $3.50,
that the battalion might be held to
its present high standard. Major
Bright requested also that appropria-
tions for other military units In the
city be made the same as a year ago.
He told of the benefits the men de-
rived from their service on the border
and stated that the militia pay bill
would bring considerable, money into
Richmond from the Federal govern
ment. The keeping of the lSS horses
OF the Blues Squadron of Cavalry,
when that organization returns from
the border, win mean the spending
by the Federal government of thous-
ands of dollars annually.
A. s. Pocklington. representing the
yard men at the lower gas works. who
in some manner were left out
couple OF years ago when wage in
creases were granted Gas Department
employees, asked the committee to give
favorable consideration to the item
for an increase of IS cents per day in
their wages. presented in Superintend-
emf Knowles estimate.
Estimates Of the needs o. the sew
eral departments, whose heads were
heard, are:
Electrical, approximately $4,000.
Gas. $4,000.
Health. s75.S90.
Street cleaning, s40S,0o0.
Cohn Tells Needs.
Superintendent Cohn, of the Street
Cleaning Department, by way of IL
Illustrating the needs OF his depart
ment, said that more than zoo police
are required for patrolling 212 miles