Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-10-27
CITY COUNCIL.

where the report of the joint commit
tees on light and finance concerning
the operations OF the gas works was
presented and in which chamber
joint session was held.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The board was called to order at S
o'clock. After the reading of the min
utes of the last meeting, Mr.. Hinken,
from the committee on light, presented
the quarterly report of the proceedings
of the gas works for the past quarter,
and it was referred to the committee on
light.
The report of the clerk of gas for the
quarter ending August 1 last was pre-.
sented and showed that the gas con-
sumed by the city departments during
that period amounted to $639.S4; gas
sold during the quarter, So, 7O5 26; rev.
enue from sale OF coke, 1879 81.
An ordinance to amend the building
law of the city of Alexandra provid'
ing for the use of non combustible ma
terial in the construction Of roofs, was
received from the Common Council
and their action concurred in.
Several other papers were received
from the lower board and their action
concurred in.
Later the Aldermen were invited to
joint session by the Common Council
for the purpose OF considering the re-
port of the Joint committees on finance
and light, and the invitation was ac-
cepted.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The board did not obtain a quorum
until after the hour of opening and s
o'clock struck before the conclusion OF
the reading of the minutes.
When an application of R. 81. Ward
er for I. Eichberg asking leave to re-
place shingle roof by similar roof
was read,
Mr.. Smith suggested that in order to
settle matters of this character, the
building law should be amended so as
to allow old single roofs to be replaced
by new single roofs and presented an
ordinance for this purpose.
The ordinance was referred to the
committee on general laws, and the APP.
plication OF Mr.. Warder was granted.
MIR. Ficklin called up the ordinance
appropriating 81, 900 to grade and
gravel Gibbon street from Henry to
Washington streets.
Mr.. Trimyer asked the necessity for
this work. He thought it was time to
draw line in this matter Of appropria-
tons.
Mr.. Smith said heapplication for the
work had been made by the property
holders of that section.
Mr.. Ficklin made an appeal in favor
of this improvement. No street III the
city needed Improvement more than
Gibbon street, which was we'll built up.
Mr.. Uhler said that the city could not
afford to experd more money at this
time on street work or any other work.
We had already spent 1000 or S14 900
on streets, and that was as much as the
city could afford this year This money
had been borrowed and interest was
being paid upon it. He thought the
tax rate next year would be S2.lO. Now
can the people stand that? He did not
think they could.
MIR. Snowden (Mr. Strider in the
chair)said that at the last meeting be
had moved to postpone consideration
of all street Improvements because there
was no money to pay for the work.
We we're now within six months OF
making the annual appropriation for
next year. When that appropriation
comes up he would, he said, be ready to
put the Gibbon street improvement at
the head of the list, but now we were
borrowing money for all extra work
and soon, il these expenditures contin-
ued, the city would be unable to bor-
row. His motion was agreed to-Yeas
7; nays 5.
When the ordinance authorizing the
extension of the Southern Railway
south on Lee street from Oronoco street
to the front of the establishments Of
Chas. King & Son and Geo. r. Hill &
Co. came up,
Mr.. Green said that the city was rail.
road ridden and he would oppose the
granting of any more privileges to a
railroad unless the raiload made some
compensation for the right.
Mr.. Birrell was unwilling to author
ize this extension unless all the resi-.
dents of the neighborhood consented.
He said that some of the people who
got out an injunction to prevent this
work some years ago are now making
application for it.
Mr.. Smith said that this work was
asked for by the merchant on Lee
street. The railroad company cared
nothing about the extension.
Mr.. Greene did not think that the Or
dinance granting the right should be
passed hurriedly. He moved to refer
it to the Corporation Attorney and the
committee on general laws and his mo-
ton was agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Uhler the Alder
men were invited to the council cham
Der to discuss the report of the consol-
idsted committees of light and finance
on the subject of the gas works, &c.
JOINT CONVENTION.
The Alderman and Common Council
having gathered in joint meeting, the
chairman announced the object of the
convention 10 be the consideration of
the combined report of the committees
on light and finance.
The report having been read,
Mr.Greene said that as to the proposal
that the gas bills should be made
out and collected monthly, Mr.. Cook,
the clerk of the gas works, had said
that it would be impossible to take the
meters and collect the bills monthly.
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