Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-02-13
CITY COUNCIL.

probably to escape the snowfall which
was prevailing, stampeded when thu
fire alarm was sounded. The priz,
fight bill received its quietus. The
committee on general laws, to whom i
had been referred at the last meeting
recommended that the subject be dis
missed, and both boards, apparently
weary of the matter, adopted the re
port. Thus the city fathers find them
selves where they were last fall wher
the subject was first agitated An or
dinance authorizing the Real Estate
and Improvement Company to close
the Strand between Duke and Wolfe
streets under certain conditions. e.
by keeping a twenty-feet alley way
open through what is known as Strand
street-was passed by both boards.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Six Aldermen were present and some
of the business transacted was accom-
panied by debate.
Mr.. Leadbeater presented an order
providing for the appointment of com
mittee of two from each board for the
purpose of purchasing the steam hre
engine civilian A. Smoot" as an aux
iliary to the cily's fire department. he
said that those who were present at
Saturday nights fire must have seen
that the two engines at work rendered
invaluable service in combining the ire
10 the building in which it originated;
Since the scenes Of that night he had
thought much on the suggestion that
the CITY purchase the civilian A.
Smoot" and keepit as standby IN case
its services were needed when a hre OF
any magnitude broke out or when
either of the other engines was from
any reason out of service. On Satur-
day night had the fire from the cracker
factory spread-and there was during
most of its progress grave apprehen-
sions that it would-this engine could
have been placed near the river and
would have proven potent factor in
arresting the destroying element. His
hearers, he said, knew the history Of
the engine. 1t had been purchased by
Mr.. w. A. Smoot, brought to this city
and placed in working order. The city
could procure it for $500. The present
Columbia engine was bought second
banded in 1870 for 81, 900 and it had for
twenty odd years given much satisfac-
ton.
Mr.. Sweeney-"But hasn't it been
rebuilt several times"
Mr.. Leadbeater-"Only once" He
said should Council determine to buy
the engine it could be kept in the house
of one of the other companies and be
ready for use in any emergency-such
an emergency, for instance, when the
services of three engines would be re-
auired or when all could be worked to
advantage. At Saturday nights fire, be
the third engine could have
been stationed near the river and would
have aided materially in subduing the
fire and have relieved much of the
among the owners of
neighboring property. Any houses
within two blocks of the river which
might have taken fire could have been
saved by it. He was of opinion that
the city couldn't make the purchase too
soon.
President Marbury-"How about tie
condition of this engine?n
Mr.. Leadbeater-'It is in very good
order"
President Marbury-'In whose
charge is it to be placed ?"
Mr.. Leadbeater-"It could be placed
in the house of one or the other of the
companies"
Mr.. Burke asked the clerk to read
the order again, and when that had
been done he said he was opposed to
the wording Oft. As rule it was uu-
wise to buy old things, as the repairs
necessary generally amounted with the
original cost what would be required to
purchase new articles. The same rule
applied to fire engines. The order
limited the committee to the purchase
of but one engine-the civilian A.
Smoot"-a sort of Hobson's choice at.
fair TO which he was opposed:
Mr.. Sweeney was also opposed to the
wording of the order, and was not
aware that time had arrived when
the city was compelled to have another
fire engine. The order carried great
deal with it. 1t was not merely the
appropriation of $500 with which to
purchase the engine, but new COM
pany would have to be formed, new
horses purchased and many other
expenditures incurred. 1t would be
omerous TO compel the members of the
other companies to attend to another
engine. Now, if it was neces ;ary for
the city to have another engine, and
he repeated if that time had arrived he
didn'o know it, let the city buy new
and modern one. In speaking of the
fire Saturday night he said he noticed
that three or four streams were kept
constantly playing. In The present
of the city's finances Council
had better move cautiously. 1t cost
Sc 900 year now to keep up the fire
department. Mr.. Sweeney closed by
the disadvantage which he be-
lieved would follow any attempt to
make two companies run three engines.
Mr.. Burke called attention to the
fact that the Hydraulion company
wanted new house, and from what he
could learn needed it. This was q
present need which should take pre-
cedence of any additional purchase of
fire apparatus.
Mr.. Leadbeater again took the floor
and explained the practicability of his
ideas. He saw no visions of greatly
increased expense which would accrue
in case the order were adopted. 1t was
true new hose house might be need
ed. But, said he, it is supposed that