Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-04-26

w men tne ordnance requiring OUTSIDE
ire-escapes on theatres, &C., over one
story, and for factories, schools, &c.
over three stories, was reported,
Mr.. Smo0t said that many three-story
factories did not use the third story a
all. In such cases fire-cscape woulC
be unnecessary.
Mr.. Kraft explained that the law, as
now reported, was in accordance with
the State law and that it required nc
fire. escapes for factories less than fou,
stories high.
The ordinance was passed.
When the application of the Fertilizer
and Chemical Company for leave to in.
clude the south sidewalk of Princess
street, between Lee and Union, inside
their fence, came up,
Mr.. Fisher said that this compar y
had made most extensive improve.
ment on Princess street from Lee to
Union. No one uses that side of the
street except the company. 1t has nc
paving nor curb. This company has
recently macademized two blocks on
Union and Princess streets and should
have all the favors Council can give.
The subject was referred to the COM
mittee on general laws.
Mr.. Mushbach submitted the report
of the committee on the condition OF
the office of the clerk Of the Corporation
Court showing that since 1879 the city
has paid S1066 for rebinding of books
and now the binding of many of them
was worse than ever. 1t would cost
about $500 to put the office in order
with roller shelves, &c. As things are
now no lawyer is safe, and no property
holder is safe in taking title from
such mutilated books.
The subject was referred to the spe-
cial committee and the committee on
finance with directions to advertise for
bids for the work, &c.
When the general laws committee re-
ported adversely to new law as to the
sale Of fish,
Mr.. Mushbach said it seemed that
the law was clear, that the Mayor has
now right to collect SO licenses from
fish dealers whether they sell from
benches or from vehicles.
The report was agreed to.
When the committee reported in
favor of an ordinance to take census
of the city, in accordance with q reso-
luton of the Board of Trade made in
1890,
Mr.. Smoot saw no need of any cen
sus at this time.
Mr.. Snowden said the intention Of
the Board of Trade in 1890 was to have q
speedy correction OF the census errors so
that the false report OF the population
of Alexandria might be corrected in
time to have the correct population
put in books and other publications,
but it was too late to remedy the mat
ter now. As the matter had laid over
three years it would do no harm to
postpone it now two weeks. The post
ponement was agreed to.
When the ordinance amending the
act requiring money deposits before
opening streets came up,
Mr.. Kraft explained that the new
bill made plain that which was left OBJ
scure in the old law. 1t provides that
all of the deposits over which was used
to repair the street cut should be paid
back to the plumber.
Capt. Mushbach said we all know
plumbers well enough to know that
when they deposit s. in the corpor-
alton treasury, it comes out OF the
property holders. So this was bill to
protect property holders.
Mr.. Kraft said that the Superintend-
ent of Police had told him that only
once had he had occasion to repavc
trench cut in the street by a plumber.
Mr.. Davis said he knew that in many
cases the deposit did not pay for the
injury done to the street.
Mr.. Fisher would hereafter have no
hard thoughts of plumbers, All their
truthful statements, which he had here
tofore doubted, could now be explain
ed by the requirement of permits en- |
deposits.
The ordinance was agreed to,
When the ordinance to create the
office of City Engineer, to be held By
an an expert of at least five years eY-
perience, was reported,
Mr.. Snowden asked what effect this
ordinance would have on the position
of the present City Surveyor.
Capt. Mushbach said if the present
CITY Surveyors term did not expire un-
til next August be could hold on, or ct
least claim salary until next August.
Mr.. Snowden said that he did not
mean that. He meant the five year
provision which would exclude the
present City Surveyor. He was OPP
posed to any legislation for the few
against the many and he saw no reason
why the present City Surveyor, Mr..
Graves, should be excluded from being
a candidate. He had not had FIVE years
experience, but had done his work we'll.
He was an Alexandria boy, graduated
at the public schools and had been sent
to the University, where he graduated
in the school of civil engineering. He
ought not to be excluded from bling
q candidate for the r",c::Ec
Aessrs:: Mushpaoh' Sand7' Kraft said
this ordinance had no such purpose
and Capt. d. announced his opposition
to brick sewers which he said had been
succeeded every where by pipe sewers.
The matter was laid over till the next
meeting.
When the petition of Messrs. Wheat &
sutel for the legalizing of certain grades
of streets il the northwest section Of
the city came up on the favorable re,
port Of the committee, considerable de.
bate occurred.
Allgsion having been made to an
official map, Mr.. Aitcheson said that
the map was not official and Mr.. Fisher
anrnnd. hnt Cant Mushhnch rood or