The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-26
Finance c o m m lite q
Makes Ofer: for Plant,
Which Is Declined.
COMMITTEE OFFERS
$143,329 REFUSED
Disappointed Citizens
Leave City Hall With
Bitter Criticism of FL
nance Committee.

The prospect Is that the citizens Of
the Northside will have another bad
winter, so far an the gas supply is
concerned. IL the action Of the finance
committee of city council last night
stands.
After discussing report from d.
rector Trafford on the proposition Of
purchasing the Henrico gas plant,
and receiving a proposition from A.
w. Sands. representing the company,
on motion of Councilman Fred H.
Powell. the committee adopted a reso-
luton agreeing to pay the company
the sum of $143.329 for that part OF
the plant that may be utilized by the
city in giving the citizens OF the
Northside sufficient supply Of gas.
MIR. Sands had offered to sell the
plant for $4,000. and had later Of
fered to accept $4,000. a sum that
Mr.. Trafford suggested might be y
fair sum for the property.
After vote had been taken ON
Mr.. Powell's motion, Mr.. Sands stated
that the company would not accept
the sum of $143.32s, and negotia-
tons could be considered at an end.
Prior to the vote on the Powell reso-
luton, Councilman Seaton, stating
that he though the company should
have an interest on its investment,
moved that the sum of $4,000 be
offered. This motion was defeated by
the following vote:
Ayes-Haddon, Jones. Seaton,
Gruhry, 4.
Noes-Mills. Powers, Powell. Work
, man, Melton, s.
Chairman Grundy was the only dis
scnter, when the Powell motion was
voted upon. those who favored the
$4,000 plan voting for thia on the
theory THAI half loaf might be net
ter than no bread. n.
MessrA eeaon. Haddon ana Grun.
az strongly supported the sits. 900
oner. believing that to be the best
solution of the problem OF furnishing
gas to the Northsiders within q rea-
sonabie time.
Mr.. Powell and Mr.. Mills both de-
clared they wanted to do all possible
for the relief Of the Northsiders. but
they had the interests OF the city at
heart above all things. and that they
did not believe ii would be to the In
terests Of the city to permit any con-
Germ to unload" upon It They ques-
toned even the lower sum. but would
vote for that as being the actual cost
of the property. which the city might
with impunity buy.
II was stated that II the city dupli-
Gated the plant IL would cost about a
quarter of u million dollars, and that
II il purchased the plant an addi-
tional sum Of 100000 would be
necessary to rehabilitate ana put the
plant In condition to give good sery-
A large delegation of Northside
citiIens were present, and expressed
disappointment at the action Of the
committee. which to their way Of
thinking means long delay In get
ting good service.
The situation was EXPLAINED by Mr..
Sands, representing the company. He
showed that q vast amount OF money
had been lost by his company, and
that 1T had invested in the plant feel
ing that II might be a money making
venture, but that while II lost. It had
the consolation Of knowing THAT It
had helped materially In building up
the district north OF Shockoe creek.
and that the city had benefitted by
that His company was willing to
spit the difference between its offer
Of $4,000 and the actual cost Of
the pipe and metres. and accept the
offer Of $17S.o0o.
The next step will probably be An
application for connection with the
city main. In order to relieve the
situation In the Northside. or the re-
port Of the committee may be disre-
gardad to council and the matter come
up on the floor through an amend
mcnt.