The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-27
ADMINISTRATORS ARE
WITHOUT AUTHORITY
In Giving Uncle Sam Use of Water
Body Exceeds It's Rights of
Prcrogatfve.
HoBsoN pEF1Es COMMITTEE
Would Help Government In Emcr-
gency Regardless OF Technical Per-
missions of Councilmanic Bodies ut
Amy Time, He Declares at Meeting.

Uncle Sam has been going around
Richmond for several days trying to
settle a water bin. but up TO last
might. there seemed TO have been some
sort OF scheme on foot 70 head him
OF.
Last summer when the city was
doing everything possible to land the
az iation warehouse and field. and
when all seemed fixed except the
water supply. Council Morgan r. Mills.
accompanied by m officer of the gov
eminent, appeared before the admin :
istrative board, stated the case, and
asked for help.
The board az once set things go
ing. and in q few days the water main
was in place. and water could be
had up TO the city line. the aviation
held having been practically assured
for the spot where II is now located
just outside the city limits in the East
End
Then at the next meeting of the
common council. Mr.. Mills introduced
a resolution granting the government
the use of city water at IN g point
named This resolution was forward
ed to the committee on utilities for
consideration and recommendation.
No one for o moment believed there
would he any hold-up In the matter
Mitchell BUSHES To Rescue.
Chairman Mitchell. of the commit
tee. realizing the Importance or the
proposition. called the committee to"
Ecther in special session to act upon
the paper Mr.. Mills appeared before
the committee and explained that the
government had not completed its ar
engagements. and did not know how
much water might be necessary ana
what size pipes would be required.
and asked the committee to postpone
action for a while until the govern
rnent got ready with Its plans. AMER
an animated discussion the committee
tabled the resolution.
II remained on the table until last
nieht
The water departm ent the other Gay
forwarded to the plant staten ent.
but as there had been no contract
drawn between the city and the gov
eminent. there WAS nothing tangible
TO act upon,
When the administrative board
learned OF the situation COMMISSIONS
Tlohson was delegated to appear be-
fore the committee at its meeting last
hight and explain things. lie did so.
Hohson Makes Explanation
The board took IL upon itself 10
proceed in the premises" said Mr..
Hohson last night. We had no legal
right to turn on the water. without
permission from council. by means OF
AN ordinance. but we felt that the
question was one OF emergency. and
the board acted at once, We would
b. !,-rr Ca ~
wants that administrative board can
give him, there Will be no delay IN
tho matter. The government needs
every help that can be given II, and
the board stands ready at any time
70 help We had no right to do this
according to strict Interpretation. but
I do not believe the members of the
Icommittee nor council will censure US
for what we did. The government
wants to pay the bin. and as there Is
mo contract between the city and the
government. we cannot proceed"
The question as to procedure In the
matter was discussed at some length
by Committeeman Ladd UmIhuf,
Powers Nielsen ana Batkins. and
finally upon motion Of MIR Umlauf a
resolution fixing the water rate at five
cents per 90 cubic feet. was adopted
and VIII he reNrted TO common Coun-
cit next Monday night.
The question of permitting non-resf-
dents 20 use city water was informal
" discussed, and IT was brought out
that the administrative board had per
n. tilted Northampton school to use
city water. without first getting au'
thority from council,
Commissioners Hobson stated that as
the water was gotten through Rich,
mond college he WAS not aware that
Ecouncilmanic action was necessary, as
the college had secured water rights
by ordinance.
The committee disagreed with him,
however. and the question will be
brought up at the next meeting OF the
committee.
The suggestion from the admins
trattve board that the old.school build
ling at Cary and Sycamore streets. re-
GENTLY used as police station. be sold
at auction. was tabled on motion OF
Mr. Cmlauf, and the board was re-
quested to see II the building could not
be utilized In some way until prop
erty prices were more attractive.
Those present at the meeting were
Chairman Mitchell. Messrs. Umlauf.
Nielsen. Ladd Batkins and Jefferson
Powers.