Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-10-26
BOARD OF ALDERMAN

far between.
BOARD OF ALDERMAN.
A quorum appeared in the Alder
mans chamber about eight o'clock.
There was no unfinished business on
the table nor had either of the commit
tees anything to report, and
Mr.. Hinken called up an act Qaid
over last july providing for the reduc-
ton of the price OF gas from $l.60 to
$3.50 per thousand feet, with five per
cent. off for prompt payment. He said
the proposed ordinance would not ma
terially lessen the price, as it would,
after all, be but l J cents per thousand
less than it is now when ten per cent
discount is allowed on bills promptly
paid. But under the present regime, it
seemed people who paid their gas bills
within fifteen days after they bCc me
due or within fifteen months thereafter
were being allowed the same discount
This would be remedied should the pro-
posed ordinance be passed.
Mr. Marbury couldn't see clearly
what special inducement the ordinance
offered.
Mr.. Leadbeater favored the views OF
Mr., Hinken. He had always promptly
paid his gas bills in order to get the
benefit of the discount. but he had been
surprised to learn that others who paid
those long afterwards got the benefit of
the discount also. This. of course, was
not business. and in future the books
would be carefully inspected in order
that there should lie no repetition Of
this injustice. The gas works are now
making money and helping to deiray
the expenses of the city, and should the
ordinance be adopted its provisions
would be carried out to the letter.
Mr.. Bryant favored the adoption of
the ordinance. He always favored a
reduction in the price of gas, having
understood that it was the original in
tention of the promoters of the works
to furnish gas ut actual cost to con-
sumers who were members of the COM
munity owning the plant, and now
that the cost of maintaining the elec
trio lights was paid out of the general
fund and the consumer not compelled
to pay the cost of lighting the streets,
the present was an opportune time for
such reduction. In fact, he thought
the price should be $l.25 per thousand
feet
Mr.. Marbury agreed with Mr.. Bry-
ant, but
Mr.. Hinken called attention TO the fact
that the works had to be kept up, to do
which and renew pipes, &c, some adj
vance over the bare cost of reproduction
was necessary.
Mr. Bryant replied to this by remark
ing that 4 few years ago, when con-
sumers were paying three and four dol
lars per thousand feet for Gas, the works
were turning in handsome profits to
the general fund That was the time
these renewals, etc, should have been
made.
The ordinance was passed unani
mously.
Several papers were then received
from the Common Council and their ac
ton concurred in.
The Aldermen were subsequently in
formed by Mr.. Uhler, of the lower
board. that that body was through with
its business and ready to adjourn.
Mr. Leadbeater, from the committee
appointed ut the last meeting to ascer
tain who should act as Physician to the
Poor, said the committee Were ready to
report, and suggested that a joint meet
ing be held for the purpose Of entering
into an election. Mr.. Leadbeater was
selected by President Marbury to in
form the lower board of the matter,
and upon his return the Aldermen re-
paired to the chamber of the Common
Council Upon their retu. the board
adjourned.