Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-09
CITY COUNCIL.


ever, was OF a routine nature, and at
tracted but few spectators.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
As usual, no spectators appeared
without the bar. and the business
which came up caused no debate.
The board was called to order at S
o'clock. and after the minutes of the
last meetii 9 had been read lull of
half an hour followed while waiting for
papers from the Common Council
A communication from the Mayor
enclosing report of MIR. James Blyne
on the operations of the gas works
since June lst, 1897, was received; also
d resolution directing MIR. Bayne to
continue the examination OF the gas
office books for two years preceding
June LIST, 1897. The communication of
the Mayor and the report of Mr.. Bayne
were received and the resolution was
adopted
The communication of the Mayor re.
ferred to two exhibits which did not
accompany the papers, and the Mes
senger was s5nt to the chamber of the
Common Council for the purpose of OBJ,
tanning them, and later Mr. Uhler, from
the lower board, appeared with them
and explained their import. He stated
to the board that the object in employ.
ing Mr.. Bayne to 90 over the accounts
two years prior to 1897 was to approx
innate the losses of the city in the years
previous to that time. Mr.. Uher said
he himself had gone over the reports of
the operations of the gas office for ten
years and found that they had averaged
a yearly profit of but $3.50. The object
of Council was to ascertain if the g
works was paying institution. II they
were the CITY proposed keeping them,
if not they should dispose of them.
The petition from sundry property
owners asking for the removal Of the
electric railway tracks from Columbus
and Cameron sire els was received from
the Common Council, that board hev-
ing granted the petition.
Mr. Smoot asked for information on
the subject. As he understood it, the
petition had been referred to the joint
committees on finance and streets. The
latter had reported favorably upon it,
but be had nc recollection of it having
heen before the committee. The rea-
! son the petition was referred to the
! Joint committees on finance and streets
was the suggestion that should the
track be removed the taxable property
OF the city would be decreased.
Mr.. Curtin said the petition had
never been formally before the com
mittee. 1t had, however, been dis
cussed.
Mr.. Ballenger moved a non concur
renee in the action OF the Common
Council aud recommiltal of the pets
ton to the communities.
Mr. Smoot and Mr.. Sweeney favored
such action and Mr.. Ballenger's motion
prevailed.
All the other business which came
in from the Common Council was con-
Cured in without discussion.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The board assembled short time af
ter the hour fixed.
A communication was read from the
Mayor enclosing report of expert
book keeper James Bayne concerning
the Gas Office. The report of Mr..
BAyne advised change in the method
of keeping the books of the Gas Works
in the direction of simplicity and clear
ness. The subject was referred to the
committee on light.
Tue chair asked if this was the last
of this matter.
Mr.. Uher said Mr. Eayno had not
completed his work.
The chair asked if there had been
any examination of the books of the
Gas Works prior to June 1st, 1897.
Mr.. Uhler said no such examination
had been made.
The chair then asked il any such ex-
animation had been proposed, but there
was no answer.
Mr.. Saowden, Mr. Harrison in the
chair, then moved that the Mayor and
Auditor be requested to continue the
service Of Mr.. Bayne for the examina-
ton OF the hooks of the Gas Works for
at least two years previous to June ist,
1897. He did not think the community
would be willing TO allow the eXsmipa-
ton TO stop with the seven months
which had been investigated. He had
no intention Of attempting to hold MIR.
look DOuuSulSu leSl'OuoluICO VI W opnt y
any prosecution as he believed the &C.
ton OF the gas committee in approving
the accounts and Council in accepting
them estopped all such measures, but
the community was entitled to know
whether there had been loss or gain at
the Gas Works.
Mr.. Green saw nothing in the pro-
posed examination which would bene-
tit the city. He did not object, but saw
NO reason for the expenditure of more
money. We could not hold MIR. Cooks
bond liable and ne did not believe that
criminal prosecution against MIR. Cook
would stand. =.
Mr.. Birreil was convinced that it
would be necessary to understand the
exact income and outgo of the works
in order TO consider intelligently any
proposal for the sale of the gas works
should such proposal be submitted in
the future.
Mr.. Snowden again declared that he
had not desired to recover on Mr.;
Cooks boad or to START any criminal
prosecution. He wished the people to
understand the exact condition OF the
works. He did not think that the &C
counts of the gas works should be
covered up.
Mr. Greene was surprised that this