Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-01-26
CITY COUNCIL.

was present in both boards. The spec.
tators were not numerous and were
confined chiefly 10 those interested in
matters which were brought before the
boards.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The Aldermen were called to order
ct ten minutes to eight o'clock.
Mr.. Hinken presented q statement of
of the operations of the gas and electric
light works from December Is to date.
Alter it had been road it was referred
to the committee on light.
Mr.. Hinken from the committee on
light, to whom had been referreda reso.
luton directing the committee to ascer.
tain upon what terms the Washington,
Alexandria and Mount Vernon Rail-
way Company would furnish incan-
descent lights to the city, reported that
the company would provide the same
at the rate of 81 cents per Kelly wat.
Mr.. Dobie moved that the bid be re-
jected, and his motion was seconded by
Mr.. Havener.
Mr.. Hinken said the committee had
nc report to submit. 1t was thought
that the cost would be too great. 1t
would be necessary for the city to erect
poles, stretch wires, and incur other
expense. Besides ground circuit
would be impracticable, and the power
would be too great to enter houses. 1t
would be dangerous.
Mr.. Havener spoke to the same effect.
Mr.. Dcbie's motion to reject the prop
osition prevailed.
Mr.. Hinken also submitted report
Oh the resolution recently referred to
the committee in reference to the pur-
chase of suitable plant for the pur-
pose of furnishing incandescent lights
for the city. The committee desired to
be empowered to purchase the same on
the most advantageous Terms, and sub.
mitted bid of the Maryland Construc-
ton Company to furnish plant capa-
bic of producing 1000 incandescent
lights for $7,135. Mr.. Hinken said if
council deemed a l. 200 light apparatus
sufficient the expenditure could be cut
down to IS, 800
Mr.. Havener thought the proposition
disadvantageous to the city's interests
Money and trouble could be saved by
contracting with the Potomac Electric
Company of Washington, which was
ready to contract with the city for
lighting the streets and furnishing all
the incandescent lights required at
reasonable rates and at decided saw
ing to the city. He saw no necessity
for spending 81 900 and more when a
company offers TO do al! the work and
save the city all expenditure. This
company offers electricity at 3, cents
per Wat ard the city will be compelled
TO pay for only the amount used. This
plan would bring electricity as low as
gas. He was decidedly averse to the
city spending the sum favored by the
committee.
Mr.. Hinken said he understood the
proposition OF the Potomac Company
would be presented in the Common
Council, but he did not think it would
get out of that board He could not
see how the city would be benefited by
such contract with that company.
In the first place the Potomac Compe-
ny were seeking to obtain & valuable
franchise from the city, and from his
understanding of the matter Council
should not abandon its plant and grant
such privilege. Five men, who livea
in Alexandria, and who spent what
they made in Alexandria, were now
employeG beside, the city purchased
ali its supplies here. These were mat
tiers not TO hc lest sight Of. Most OF
the money would bs Gu -ried out of the
city ii such Il contract as is proposed
were made with the Potomac Comps
ny. He saw no good reason for doing
away with the present system, and
gave history Of the light department
CT the city during The past few years.
He also urgea many inconyeniences
which no I'll aged were liable to occur
were tbs ljghticg of the city turned
over to t1is company.
Mr.. Havener thought it was well
known that the Potomac Company
guaranteed 10 employ five men here il
they We're givsn the contract. In o
few yeais the machinery now used by
tho city would be worn out, IL was
overtaxtd ct present and cou!d not fur
nish the light des red. The Pc
tomac Company guarantees to fur
uish light 3G5 nights in the year
and give ali additional lights which
NAV irom time to time be required.
Under the present regime the streets
are not lighted on two nights in each
month and The lights are extinguished
before the stars are cut of the sky every
morning.
Mr.. Dobie suggested if the Potomac
Company could furnish electricity at
proG5 he saw 10 reason why the city
could not. He favored the adoption OF
the committee's report.
Mr.. Havener said he was not par
ticularly welded to the Potomac Com
papy, but he believed their contieuity
enabled them to furnish electricity
cheaper than any other company.
The debate continued, MIR. Hinken
reiterating lis convictions and Mr..
Havener adhering TO his.
Finally MIR. Dobie moved that the
committees report be received and tho
proposition of the Maryland Company
be referred to the com mittee ON light
and the motion prevailed.
The business which came in from The
lower board was concurred in without
debate.
COMMON COUNCIL.
TIE board had twelve members in
their seats when the president took the
chair and the session begun. Iwo