Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-04-12
BOARD OF ALDERMAN.

! meellng laSt night was devoid OF specla
interest and attracted but few specta,
tors
BOARD OF ALDERMAN.
Mr.. Hinken, from the committee on
light, submitted report stating tnat
the increase in the number of gas con,
sumers rendered it necessary to aug
ment the capacity of the works by the
addition of two new benches and the
speedy repair of the old ones. The pro,
posed benches would cost about So 600
Mr.. Hinken said the works could now
turn out about $4,000 feet of gas in q
hours, while last winter as much as
$4,000 feet were consumed in that
time New houses were being con-
stantly erected in the city. The build
ers wanted to equip them with gas, and
it was impossible now to meet the de-
mand. The committee had communi-
Gated with parties familiar with the cost
of such work as the committee had sug-
gested, and had ascertained almost to a
dollar the cost. 1t takes at present
about 81, 500 a year to keep the old
benches in repair. The works, he said,
are run down and he hoped the report
submitted would be adopted without
reference, as time would be required to
do the work after the proper legislation
had been secured. With the proposed
improvements the capacity of the works
could be increased about six per cent. !;
besides the committee would then be
prepared to meet any emergency in the
way of accident, to say nothing of the
danger which would ensue in cases
where people burn gas all night. Should
the light go out temporarily and subse-
Guently start up some one might be as
phyXiated. The committee had no de-
sire to spend cent unnecessarily, but
what had been suggested was urgent
and there was no time to be spent IN
undue deliberation.
Mr.. Bryant asked Mr.. Hinken what
the entire cost for the new benches and
repairs would be.
The latter replied that an expendi-
ture of $500 would be necessary to
carry out the plans of the committee.
With the new benches, he said, 1t
would not be necessary to run the
works so hard, but the plant could pro-
coed along easily at less risk of break
Ing down and with less need Of repairs.
If the city proposed to supply gas to
the people of course the committee
would expect to have the means furnish
cd them to do it.
Mr.. Bryant asked if new mains
wouldn't be needed shortly and what
would be the cost for them.
Mr.. Hinken said between $4,000
and 100000. But, he said, the sum it
was now proposed to spend would not
come out of the general fund; it would
be taken from the gas fund.
Mr.. Leadbeater, Of the same commit
tee. reiterated all Mr.. Hinken had
said. The subject had given the com
mittee on light much thought, and
what had been proposed by the report
was urgent and should be approved at
once. He depicted the Inconvenience
which would arise from the city being
plunged into darkness some night.
The proposed additions would enable
the committee to hold some of the pow
er of the works in reserve for such an
emergency. lie urged the board to
adopt the report.
MIR. Bryant asked if it wouldn't be
better to refer the matter to the finance
committee. They had counted on so
much from the gas iundin making their
estimates and appropriations.
Mr.. Leadbeatcr said that was the rea-
son the subject had been brought to the
attention of Council in order that the
affairs of the city might suffer no de
rangement. The committee on light
had the power to have the additions
and repairs made, but having ever
worked tremendously they concluded
to lay the matter before Council for APP
proval before embarking in the eNpen-
diture.
Ar. Goodrich favored adopted the re-
port. What had been suggested by the
committee was needed in order to meet
the demands of the public, and he could
see no good reason for referring the pa
pers to the finance committee.
Mr.. Bryant still looked upon the pro
cedure in the light of an appropriation.
President Marbury said the commit
tee only asked Council to approve what
they proposed doing.
Mr.. Burke so understood it, too. The
money would come out of the gas fund.
The report was then adopted, after
which some routine business was trans
acted and the action Of the Common
Council on number of papers con-
Cured in,
Shortly before nine o'clock the Alder
men adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The summer hour of session, eight
o'clock, found the board last night
without quorum, but in few minutes
afterwards the quorum appeared and
business proceeded.
A communication from the Mayor
announcing the resignation of police
officer Stephen Taylor, and the tempo
rary appointment of B. F. Young in his
place was read and ordered on file.
When report as to an order to give
f. Webb tax deed to lot held for
taxes, was read,
Mr.. Uhler explained that Mr.. Webb
paid the taxes t$59.50) and took the
place of the Council in reference to the
ownership of the lot.
Messrs. Wheat and Suter submitted
to the Council q map showing grades
on Princess, 0ronoco and West streets,
and asking that those grades be adopt
ed by the City Council, and also that
The carriage-way of these streets be
fixed at 90 feet. leaving the streets dG
feet wide. The subject was referred to
the committee on streets.