Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-26
AFFAIRS IN AlExANDRiA
Inefciency Of Electric and Gas Plants Dis
cussed IN Council.
Proposition Made to Sell Both-The
PrOceedings-Brief Notes.

| PrOceedtng-Brfef Notes.
| Evening Star Bureau,
| No. so King Street,
| Bell Telephone No. lO6
| ALEXANDRIA. Va, May "a 1897
The regular semi-monthly meeting of the
city council was held in the city hall last
| evening, with large attendance. Little
or no business outside Of the appropriation
Dill and license cases for the next fiscal
year was transacted The only change in
| the license laws was an addition compell-
ing green grocery peddlers to pay $l5 an
| nually and take out a license for an entire
| year. and the license fee for billiard tables
| was reduced.
The net revenue OF the city during the
past fiscal year amounted to s1O2 733, while
the appropriations during that period
amounted to $112.950. The appropriations
for the coming fiscal year amount to S1l3,-
$50. which is $4,000 more than the amount
| expected to be received under the present
| system. Out Of this amount the sum of
| $lo.9OO Is to be used for street improve
ments As the appropriations now stard
there Will not be any chance for street i'm
| proVements during the coming fiscal year.
| In the lower board there was quite
heated discussion over the appropriation
asked by the committee on lights for the
| coming year. 1t developed that the electric
| light plant and gas works combined are
being run at decided loss. the former
| falling behind at the rate of $1,000 a year
| ever since 1t was put in.
| When II was first proposed to light the
| city with electricity there was great joy
incandescent lights for residences and bus
| mess houses being great inducement, I'm
| addition to arc lights on the street corners
After the electric light plant was put in, &C.
| cording to contract, 1t was found that 1t
| would be impossible to furnish current
i enough to Snnn1v he
| sreets. Many times have the citizens
| wanted incandescent lights for their houses
and places Of business. but the city has
never been able to furnish Them and. II
| seems. never will be with the present facil-
tiles.
Several weeks ago a King street mer-
| chant made application to the city council
Tor permission to place incandescent lights
| on the front of his building the current to
be supplied by the Washington Alexan-
dria and Mount Vernon Electric Railway
| company. This request was referred to
| the committee on street light, and has
| never been heard from since. Citizens say
1t Is sort of dog in the manager" busi-
ness 1t is said to be absolutely impossible
| for the city to furnish the incandescents
but the authorities are not willing for any
1 one else to do 1t.
Many members Of council favor selling
| both the electric light plant and the gas
works. and claim the city could then get
| light at about 5000 per annum, while 1t
now costs nearly 5000 per annum.
/
| rectfng the committee on light to contract
| with any electric company which would
agree to furnish to the city arc electric
| lights at $50 per lamp not to exceed 100
lamps. Without debate the resolution was
referred to the joint committees on light
and finance. The purpose Of the resolution
Is to contract with private corporation for
lighting streets.
The citizens hope that some arrangement
| will be made SO that incandescent lights
can be furnished when wanted.
i HI 49, -N~
| Mr.. A. Armstrong, who represented the
BOARD OF police commissioners in the recent
| controversy between the mayor and COM
| mlssioners, was, after great deal Of dis
cussfon. referred to the committee on
| finance.
| An Alexandria "Freak."
A letter was received from Mr. Willer-
| berger, formerly a resident of this CITY, but
| now residing in France, stating that while
| visiting Metz, Germany a few days ago he
| went to see a circus, which was exhibiting
| there. On large canvas in front Of the
side show he saw a picture in glowing COL
ors Of a freak from darkest Africa" He
went inside and saw the negro king On
| questioning the negro it was found that he
| was a native Of this city. Mr.. Willerber-
ger stated that seeing the Alexandria ne
gro revived memories Of home. and they
had quite lengthy conversation after the
| show.
Not Harry Wheat. Dog.
Mr. Harry Wheat called at The Star bu-
| reau this morning to say that II was not
his dog that bit Mr.. Frank Kings little
| child. THE only dog have had for long
| time died five years ago." said Mr. Wheat
and 1 hope you will make the correction"
Virginia Cycle Club.
The Virginia Cycle Club, which was or
ganized on the 10Th instant, has elected the
following officers: President, Milton F. Car
| lin; vice president. Orlando H Kirk: secre-
tary, Charles Tennyson; treasurer Bernard
Kline; captain and manager, Frank Hoy
Out Of Service.
The Columbia fire engine was taken out
OF service today, and the steamer VIM. A.
Smoot substituted. This Is done by per-
mission of the fire wardens in order that
the Columbia may be gotten in shape for
the water-throwing contests at Annapolis
in June.
Released ON Bail.
Richard Burnett, who has been confined
in the jail at Fairfax Court House, charged
with arson in connection with the burning
OF Constant Pinnett's stable in West End
an account of which appeared in The Star
was released on bail bond of 81 300 yes
terday by Judge James M. Love- His case
Will probably be called at the June term of
| court, when a special grand jury will be
summoned.
Election Tomorrow
Tomorrow will be election day. The can
didates to be voted for are as follows: For
mayor, George L. Simpson; for auditor. e.
F. (Sam) Price; for city treasurer, M b.
Harlow; for collector of taxes p. F. Cor
man; for measurer Of lumber, James L.
Adams; for measurer Of wood and bark
Charles L. Goodrich; for clerk of gas r.
Thee. Cook. None Of the above aspirants
has opposition. and all will, Of course, be
elected.
The board Of aldermen and common coun-
ell tickets have some little opposition, but
1t is believed it will be of no moment
Had a Bad Fall.
Bard Scott who clerks at Chapman's
while coasting on his bicycle down Suffers
Hill this morning shortly after O'Clock,
ran over a stone which caused his wheel
| to swerve and he was thrown violently to
the ground. When he pulled himself to-
gether 1t was found that his head and
hands were badly cut, and he was other
wise bruised
Field Band MeetinE.
There was a meeting of the Sd Regiment