Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-11

An ordinance requiring the w ash
iugton, Alexandria and Mt. Vernon
Railway Co. to put down improved rails
and to pave its portion of King street
between Fairfax and Royal streets was
| passed.
The application of the PorLner Brew.
ing Company for the putting down OF
belgian block on St. Asaph street be.
tween Pendleton and Wythe streets
was taken up.
1t was stated that the whole cost to
the city would be $500, the Portner
Brewing Company paying all the resi-
due of the cost.
After some debate the order for the
work was unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Uhler inquired whether the com
mittee on streets had acted upon the
proposal to require the W., A. & Mt.
V. R. r Co. to comply with its charter
and lay Belgian block pavement on
Royal street between Duke and
Wilkes streets. He understood that the
committee on streets had agreed to re-
quire Belgian block. but the work had
been done with gravel, and the matter
had never been reported to the Council.
Why was this? ne asked.
MIR. Smith, chairman of the street
committee, said he did not desire to an
tagonizs the railroad company, because
that company had agreed to put down
vitrifed brick on King street where
they could not be compelled to do so
by law. The company had put Royal
street in good repair with gravel.
Mr.. White seid that when the chart.
or of the W., A. & Mt. V. r. R. Co.
was before Council Mr.. James R.
Cation, its counsel, had declared to this
board that whenever this city deter
mined to change King street paving
the railway company would conform
thereto.
Mr.. Greene regretted that that pledge
had not been put in black and white in
the charter.
Mr.. Birrell was convinced that Mr..
Uhler was right in determining to re-
quire the railway company to do all
that they could be compelled to do,
and he was convinced that compulsion
would avail in this case.
ml. 1lllnJ you CdllCQ dulCuIlOu w va
rous violations of the law by the W..
A. & Mt. V. r. W. Co., and considered
the road nuisance. He was in favor of
compelling the company to put down
Belgian block on Royal street.
Mr.. Smith said the work on Royal
street was now done.
Mr.. Kelley replied that if the work
was now finished it was very badly done
for he had sunk in it by his own
weight.
The City Engineer explained that
the gravel now put upon the railway
track on Royal street south of Duke
was mere temporary experiment, and
it was expected to put down Belgian
block later, and this gravel would help
to make good foundation for more
permanent pavement. He stated that
he had informed the railroad company
that when they put down gravel in
stead of block they did 80 at their own
risk and could be compelled to put
down the block at any time.
The chair saw no reason for action in
the matter tonight. The railway COM
pany could be compelled to put down
Belgian block if the present pavement
was not firm and did not give salisfac-
ton.
After further debate the subject was
referred to the committee OH streets.
Mr.. Greene hoped the committee
would report at the next meeting.
Mr.. Greene moved that measures be
taken for the employment of a stenog-
rapher to report the proceedings of the
board and the subject was referred to
the finance committee.
Mr.. Trimyer inquired what action
the committee on light had taken in
regard to letters which had been writ
ten in reference to change in tie gas
works management. the employment
of competent gas maker, etc.
Mr.. Moore replied that the commit
tee had report on the subject which
would be submitted to Council later.
The board then adjourned.