Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-01-09

Mr. Nails said that the company Hau q
method of charging upon pipes newly put
down an extra water rent to repay the com
pany for laying down the pipes Inc Ia"
should be arranged so that they should not
extortion upon the first six as they could DO
under the plan now before Council.
Mr.. Mclean, called the attention OF the
Board to the fact that the City Council al
WAYS laid new gas main whenever three
persons on a square agreed TO take gas, ana
charged DO higher prices to the new consom-
ers than to the old ones. Why should this
monopoly charge an extortionate price ior
water? That matter should be fixed IN the
proposed bill in order that the Legislature
might act upon this wrong.
Alderman Rshell, by invitation, explain
ed the resolution. He said that some time
since Edward Quinn petitioned the Coun-
ell for fire plug near bis residence. Dir.
Q. stated then that he had agreed TO take
water for six houses if the Water Company
would extend the main to his neighborhood,
but he had been refused. Then he came to
Council aud asked for fire plug on st.
Asaph or Oronoke street, IN the hope that
if the mains were thus extended he could
get water for bis houses. Council asked Tor
!. plug there, and the Fire Wardens waited
upon Captain Boothe, who refused, IN the
name of The company, saying that it would
not be for The interest of the company TO ex-
terd The mains. Mr. Risheill said: know
hat the progress Of the city has been impe-
ded BY this Water Company's refusal TO eS-
tend mains on the edge Of the town. We
think that in this way we can compel the
company to do its duty to the public who
gave it its charter and from whom it receives
its revenue.
Mr.. Mclean called attention to the fact
that when So citizens recently pettioned for
a pump in the northwest part Of the town,
twenty four out ofthe thrty-six would have
taken water if the company would have ex-
! tended It's mains.
Mr.. Peaae urged speedy action. The act had
u 20 to tue Legislature. If Council delayed now
il would be two weeks before another meeting was
held and il might get before the Legislature too
| late.
NJ. Lawson did not think the matter should be
| pressed The stockholders OF 10 company have
SOME rghts-vest.a tights that ought not to be
| tritet! with. Ii would have cost Sl2O0 or S14OO
10 have extended the mains as desired in Mr.
Quinn's case, for the supply of the houses of Mr.
| Yeaton and others near Washington street, must
| in that case haze been changed. He was not pre-
! Pared 10 join any crusade against the company.
Mr.. Mclean moved TO rcconmit with insIrue
tons to the committee to add in the bill remedies
| 10. all the grievances that the law can reach.
! Mr.. Snowden did not stand here as the champ
| ion Of the Water Company, but be hoped the mat
| ter would he we'll considered before action. He,
too. lived on the outskirts of the town and bad
| suffered for the want Of water main. He was
paying dollar week ts52 per year for some
one to bring aim water and he had gladly accepted
the proposal of the company to extend their main
| provided a small extra water rent was paid.
Mr.. Mclean withdrew his motion to recommir,
| aud the Council refused to postpone-7 to +.
| Mr. lawson asked what was section ! which it
was proposed to repeal. Council ought not to act
without knowing something about the section
+; which 1t Was proposed to repeal.
! Mr.. Sweeney had voted to lay over because the
act did not 10 far enough.
| Mr. Snowden hoped that time would be given
! BIZ the seven members who voted not to postpone
to the four others that desired time TO examine
| the subject, that they could vote understand
| insly.
! Mr. Corbatt said il was plain that the passing
of this resolution did not require more than nine
votes. It was not law. bu: en- application to the
Legislature He ,hought that the water consum-
| ers here had some rights which the Water Com
pany are bound u respect
Mr Nails said the proposal in the present shape
would allow the Water Company to impose exor-
bitsnt rates on new CONSUMERS. This should
he guarded against and on his motion the resolu
ton was recommitted that change may be made
10 prevent cxorbtAut charges, &c.
No other business orcasioned debate.