Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-11-25
Tho Nravor said Mr.. Shock had

called MS allenllou W CaseS VI "@"
ton during the early part of the sum.
mer. and suggested that he would
make an examination into them. Other
cases had from time to time been
brought to the attention of the Mayor
and he had naturally consulted MT.
Shock, inasmuch as he had been the
dispenser during the winter. This pro:
ceedure had become general. VI
course no request for aid was ever
granted until it was thoroughly exam
ined, and Mr.. Shock was invariably
consulted. The overzeer had certainly
performed extra services during the
summer.
Mr.. Uhler said D1r. Shocks petition
was dated in May: that ne had in the
two previous years been allowed >25
Tor extra services, and he thought it
was establishing bad precedent. Any
other officer in the city's employ had
an equal right to petition for extra pay.
If this thing be allowed TO continue the
finance committee could never make
satisfactory estimates for running the
city.
Mr. Stri1er said Mr.. Shock would
not have given his attention to the
work during the summer if he had not
expected compensation. He urged
that Council grant the petition, bu;
that some definite understanding
should be arrived at for the future.
The report of the committee was
adopted by vote of to /.
Mr.. Cation offered q resolution d.
recting the City Engineer to notify the
owners of property abutting on the
river to remove piles and other OBJ
structions to navigation.
Mr.. Moore suggested that the city
should set the example by removing a
number it was responsible for at the
outlet lock of the old canal and at the
American Coal Company's wharf.
Mr.. Uhler thought the carrying out
of the provisions of the resolution
would subject the city to large out
lay.
Mr.. Cation said the city as we'll as in
dividuals rendered themselves liable
for damages by allowing menaces to
navigation to remain in the river, and
recited the case OF one OF the Norfolk
steamers narrowly escaping being sunk
about two years ago while passing the
sunken piles in front of the old canal.
Mr.. Uhler thought that the city had
better proceed gingerly in the matter,
as barge was sunk some time ago by
running on sunken piles at the point
indicated by Sir. Cation.
The resolution was finally referred to
the committee on streets.
At this juncture Mr.. D. j. Howell,
one Of the contractors for the construc-
ton Of the King and Pitt streets sewers,
appeared and asked permission to ad-
dress Joint session OF Council. The
Board Of Aldermen were invited to en-
ter the chamber and, the two boards
having met in joint session, Mr.. Howell
proceeded to read communication he
had prepared, which was in substance
what he had stated at the last meeting
of Council. He asked 10 be relieved Of
forfeiture of over 5000 for failure to
have the sewer constructed in the al.
lotted ninety days, urging, among other
things, that there was an inevitable de.
lay of two weeks in procuring cement,
that flows OF water and treacherous
ground were encountered, that there
were unusually heavy rains, delays &C.
casioned by the September cyclone from
the fact that for time it was exceed
ingly difficult to procure bricklayers,
and further that it is always expected |
that contractors shall be allowed reason
able extensions of time. He read from
a diary showing the number OF rainy
days during the time the sewer was be-
ing built, together with the Sundays !
and holidays and the hot wave OF Au-
gust. the extra work ordered by the
City Engineer, &c.
Mr.. Burke suggested that the CON-
munication should be referred to the
City Engineer for report.
Alderman Ballenger proposed that it
be referred to the finance committee.
The Chair said that could not be
done in joint session.
Numerous questions by different
members were propounded to Mr..
Howell, and it was developed that the
committee on streets were willing to re-
lieve the contractors of the forfeiture,
but objected to paying Sl3S.75 for in
speeding the sewers, which bill the con-
tractors were averse to paying.
The joint convention finally dissolved
and the board, after referring the mat
ter TO the City Engineer. adjourned.