Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-20
Says $4,000 Is NEEDED
FOR CAS- PLANT BOILERS
Commissioner HobSon Tells Finance
Committee That Interests of
City Demand Expenditure.
WANT SURPLUS FOR STREETS
Hobson Expleins Request for Trans
fcral Of Funds-Want Full-SiZc
Water Main on boulevard for LO-
comot!yc Plant.

Before the Finance Committee OF the
City Council began its formal session
last night. Commissioner Graham Hob
formed the members that n regard for
the future of Richmond would nccess!
tate an appropriation of $4,000 for new
boilers at the gas plant. and that this
appropriation would have to be made
in the next six months.
Discussing the gas situation infor-
mally, MIR. Hobson said that conSid
cradle progress was being made in
laying up a surplus. He thought that
by this morning there would be gas
in the second section for the first time
in eight months.
MIR. IIobson declared that Richmonds
gas record was wonderful one. as
there had not been such a thing as
total failure but once in forty years
People. he declared, could not possibly
have foreseen the present large con-
to the fact that two OF the most emf
ncnt engineers in the country had sur
veyed the situa ton here about SIX
years ago. Al that time they reported
tina; a certain limit would be reached
in the year 1894. But despite their
calculations, the mark Of consumption
reached in January Of this year.
Before going into executive session
little business OF interest was trans
acted by the Finance Committee. The
y. w. c. a. presented petition for
the cancellation Of taxes on their re-
Gently acquired property on Main
spouse from tho members.
HODSoN ENPI.AINS OBJECT
OF PAY ROLL REQUEST
Commissioner Hobson again explained
to the committee the request of the
Administrative Board for the transfer
of money from the pay roll fund of the
STRENGTHENING Department TO the en-
ncnse account of tho same department
The resolution ordering this change
had been referred back to the commit
tee by the Board of Aldermen. the
point being made that the Administra-
tive Board had no authority 10 pur
chase street cleaning machinery with
money of the expense account and then
expect the deficit in the expense ac-
count to he made M out of money
saved in the pay roll account. Mr..
sired to be transferred would go to
the paying OF feed bills { I'd other eX-
penses The machinery in question had
already been bought and paid for. The
resolution to the Board Of Aldermen.
w H. Adams. president OF the Board
OF Aldermen. appeared before the com
mittce and urged that prompt action
full-Sizc water main from the Eoulc-
ward out to the American Locomotive
companyS branch in the western part
OF the city. This branch will extern
sivcly manufacture certain locomotive
parts which hitherto have had to be
purchased outside of Richmond and
gues at the main plant of the Ameri-
can Locomotive Compare here. 1t APP
reared 10 be the consensus of opinion
that this main was not only necessary
for the benefit OF the rapidly growing
population of that part of the city.
W. T. Dabncy. general manager OF the
Chamber OF Commerce. seconded the
remarks OF Mr.. Adams. as did others
Favorable action was taken by the com
mittcc