Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-05-15

der was adopted.
No other business occasioned debate
and at half past niue o'clock the AL
dermen entered the chamber of the
Common Council for the purpose of
participating in the election OF a City
Engineer and upon their return adj
journed.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The board held quite long session
last night with well filled seats. As
soon as the minutes were read
Mr.. Uhler, from the joint committee
on finance and light, reported an act to
reduce the price of gas from $3.50 to
81 40 per thousand feet with five per
cent. discount for prompt payment.
Mr.. Uhler said this act relieved the gas
consumers to the extent of $500, and
this the committee thought was as
much as the city could do at present,
especially as, although the works were
in excellent order, some of the mains
require repairs.
The ordinance was adopted.
The tax and license bills were pre-
sented and sent back to the committee
on finance.
The Auditor reported deficits in sew
eral of the branches Of municipal ser
vice and appropriations to continue
them were asked as follows: 5000 for
poor; $500 for FIRE department; $500 for
courts and jails; $500 for electric lights,
and 5000 for streets.
The chair asked what the electric
light cost the city this year.
Mr.. Uhler said that the electric light
last year cost about $4,000, and this
wear it would be about 500 less than
last year. The Auditors report gives
the figures.
Mr.. Fisher asked if this did not in
clude partial payment of the pur-
chase money.
The chair said that the electric plant
was most expensive one; 50 600 was a
large sum to pay for the service given
the city.
Mr.. Fisher said that about $4,000 of
this was to pay on the plant, Sc.
The chair replied that this was a
mistake. Less than $4,000 was used to
pay the installment on the plant; so
that the cost of the electric light was
over 81 900 per annum.
Mr.. Burke said the exact payment
on the debt was 81, 9SS 10, as shown by
the Auditors report.
The appropriations to supply de-
6ciencies were then made.
Mr.. Burke reported al ordinance re-
curing the Mt. Vernon Electric Rail
way to plank its track within and two
feet on each side the rails on Royal
from Duke to Wilkes street.
Mr.. Fisher thought this would i'm
pose needless burden on the railway
company.
Mr.. Burke explained that the work
was necessary and was being partially
done. He understood that the pro-
perty holders on Royal street, between
Duke and Wolfe, would ask for the paw
ing of that square at an early date.
Mr.. Cation said that as soon as the
street was ordered 10 be paved the rail
way company would have their portion
paved with Belgian blocks.
The report presented by Mr.. Burke
was adopted.
When q report asking an appropria
ton for repairing King street dock
bulkhead was presented Mr.. Cation said
that the Carey heirs, of Baltimore, own,
cd the river front in that neighborhooo
and collected rent from Dreifus & Co..
but the property wss not now occupied
and no rent paid.
The report was withdrawn.
The proposal to allow Messrs. G. c
Shoots Sons Co. to place railroad
switch on Wilkes street into their pro
perty was called up.
Mr.. F. L. Smith appeared at the bal
and asked that in case the new switch
was constructed the switch Of the
Messrs. Shoots Sons Co. below
St. Asaph street should be re-
moved. He presented his views
upon the matter as to the rights o.
municipalities over streets and gave
some authorities to show that the
Council had no power to give the privi-
lege in question to Mr.. Smoot. He
stated that the switch is now used for
shifting cars at all hours of the day
and night and the noise amounted to q
nuisance. fla switch was run into the
tarnery property the switch now in the
street could be removed. Mr.. J. c
Smoot. at the bar, explained that he
could not have fair chance to com
pete with competitors abroad in bis
business unless Council gave him this
privilege. He wanted more facilities
and not those he now had curtailed
He said that on Col. Smiths account
all his car shifting was now done dur.
ing the day at an additional cost to
him.
Mr.. Smith replied stating that early
that morning shifting had been done
on the switch and that cars had some.
times been left standing on the switch
for weeks at time. He said he be-
lieved he could stop the use of the
switch by an Injunction but this he did
not wish to do.
Mr.. Cation moved to refer the matter
to the Corporation Attorney to report
the powers of Council on the subject.
The subject was recommitted to the
committee on streets who are to con-