Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-04-24
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Seven members were present. There
was not semblance of debate in the
proceedings, no one being in con
iroversial humor. But two papers were
presented-a resolution regarding sew
ers by Mr.. Davis and petition for the
reduction OF the dog tax. The former
was referred to the committee or
streets and the later to the committee
on finance. The Aldermen concurred
in all The papers sent in from the Com
mon Council.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The early attendance was light and
it was some time after S o'clock before
the nine members needed for quorum
were in their seats.
MI. Mushbach from the committee
GA general laws reported iavorably the
act proposed by Mr.. Kraft at the last
meeting establishing an inspection Of
wharves Ivy the surveyor or engineer
and requiring the removal Of dilapi.
dated piers under penalty of s. pei
day.
Mr.. Burke thought the bill might
impose an onerous burden on wharf
owners. The bill did not effect dan
gerous wharves only, but might be con-
strued to require the piles of dilapi-
dated structures to be removed. 1t
would be costly work.
Mr.. Moore asked if the Council was
prepared to spend $4,000 in taking up
the piles of the old coal wharves now
belonging to the city at the canal out.
let.
The chair had been informed that
many of the piles were as good as ever
below the water line and could be used
when needed as the basis of cribbing for
solid wharf He came prepared 10
vote for the measure but additional in
formation made him desire more time
to look into the matter so he asked
that action be postponed for two weeks.
Mr.. Fannon was opposed to beautl-
flying the river front at the cost OF
wharf owners, some of whom were now
paying taxes but getting nothing out OF
their property.
Mr.. Uhler called attention to the fact
that the coal wharves at the outlet OF
the old canal were the property of The
city. There were about 1000 piles and
the cost of drawing up each one will be
three dollars. 1t is claimed that the
Potomac beyond the low water mark is
in the jurisdiction of the District OF
Columbia. Could Council 60 out of its
jurisdiction to compel the pulling up OF
piles?
Mr.. Mushbach said that as the con-
ditiou of the river front of the city
seemed to DE satisfactory to all the
members who had spoken he was will
| ing to let the bill 60 over.
Mr.. Snowden said the condition OF
the river front was not satisfactory to
| him. He would like to see the wharf
property improved but did not want to
impose hardships on the owners. de
wanted time to consider remedy,
Mr.. Mushbach.-I do not object to
the bill going over, but wish the bill
to be read and see if there is anything
about pulling up piles. You don't have
to pull I'D the piles like you draw a
tooth They can be cut Oft.
Mr.. Kratft said this was common in
New York. =.
Mr.. Uhler had spent much of his life
about the wharves and knew their con-
dition we'll. He was convinced that
unless the piles were pulled up nothing
would be effected. To cut them OF
would leave them dangerous at low
tide. He had himself in his youth
crawled under most of the wharVes
when the tide was out and he knew
their status.
Mr.. Mushbach-"Well, Mr.. Chair
man, do not know about these octo-
cenarian "reminiscences and l am willing
to have the matter go over"
The subject was laid over until the
next meeting.
When the proposal for paving at the
Junction of King and Union streets
came up,
Mr.. Burke said Union street had been
we'll paved by the Southern railway
and this little piece of work could be
done at cost of not over Sl2o. He
did not think the company could be
made to do this work it had already
done more than they agreed to do
having paved an additional square.
Mr.. Mushbach said that if railroad
company had been found to do on the
streets more than it promised he moved
that the matter be referred in order to
ascertain if the millennium was coming
The subject was referred to the com
mittee on streets.
Reports recommending the placing o.
cucumber pumps at the corner of Frank
lin and Washington streets and in the
court bounded by Columbus, Alfred
Prince and Duke streets were adopted
When the report from the street
committee recommending the granting
of the petition of c. G. Smoot & Son to
be permitted to lay a switch from
Wilkes street into their property was
read, -,
Mr.. Evans said that Col. F. L. Smith
wished to be heard before action was
taken, so the matter was laid over.
A petition was presented asking that
the dog tax be reduced. 1t was sug
gested that many ofthe signers had not
paid dog licenses, and the matter was
referred to the finance committee.
When the question of requiring the
Mt. Vernon Electric Railway Company
to pave each side of its track on south
Royal street came up,
Mr.. Uhler presented q resolution re-
quiring the company to repair that
street. He said it would be unless to
pave on each side of the rails unless the
street was paved.
Mr.. Cation explained that it was the