Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-09
FIRE ARM YSTE NJ
Evening Star Bureau,
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Bell Telephone 106
ALEXANDRIA, Va, March Q, 1885,
There was lengthy and very stormy
session of the city council last night. In
several of the debates remarks bordering
on personalities were made and considera-
HE feeling was shown.
When the board was called to order a
communication was received from Mayor
Simpson inclosipg the report of Expert
Bayne of his examination of the books OF
the gas Office. Inasmuch as the report only
covered the period from June l. 1897, to
January %, 1898. no shortage in the ac-
counts other than that already reported
was shown. Mr.. Bayne stated that he had
made no examination of the books prior to
June /. 1897; but SAID they are in a very
much tangled condition, and, in fact, have
rot been properly kept since 1892
Il found said Mr.. Bayne, two sets of
books, one from June 1, 1897, and the other
prior to that date, ard there was absolute
ly no connection between the two
Mr.. Bayne made a number of recommen-
dations as to how the book should be kept.
When the report was read a motion was
made that it be referred to the committee
On light, and 1t was so ordered
President SnCwden wanted to know if this
ended the gas office matter, but no infor-
n alton on this subject was forthcoming.
Calling Mr.. Harrison of the third ward to
ton that Expert Bayne be further employ
ed to make an examination of the books of
the gas Office for a period of two years
prior to June 1, 1897
No Desire to Prosecute.
TT is not my intention" said Mr.. Snow
den, ito prosecute or prosecute the ex-clerk.
l do not believe any money could, under the
circumstances, be recovered from the for
mer bondsmen; but it is very clear to me
that the books have rot been properly kept,
and it is our duty as trustees of the cor
poration to See exactly how Mr.. Cook S
accounts stand"
Mr.. Uhler, chairman of the finance COM
mttee, spoke in favor of the motion. He
said it would lave the effect of letting the
citizens know the exact status of the gas
works. At one time they were a source of
great revenue to the city, he said, but had
not been so Of late.
The gas consumers have right to know
how the works stand,' said Mr.. Uhler.
"There has been much talk of cheaper gas.
If the books are examined it will show
what the gas works have been doing:
whether they have been making money
losing it. / would like to know what they
are doing. 1 have been accused of being
cver-ZealCus in this matter. / have simply
done my sworn duty, and subsequent events
proved that 1 was right
Mr.. Greene Opposes the Motion.
Mr.. Greene of the third ward opposed the
motion.
st looks to me Ike loves labor lost
said Mr.. Greene. Il cannot see what good
it will do. You cannot recover any money,
and I doubt if you could prosecute Grim
inally."
Mr.. Snowden broke in here:
Il said at the outset that it is not my
intention to prosecute or prosecute Mr..
Cock. simply want to know how the gas
works stand
Mr.. Brrell of the second ward was in
favor of the motion, because he thought
the citizens should know how the gas works
stand.
ut is the duty of council to ascertain the
exact standing of the works." he said.
Mr.. Greene receded from his former posi-
ton and moved to amend the motion of
Mr.. Snowden so to make the present
clerk do the work.
Mr.. Snowden thought the work too much
for the new clerk, as there was enough for
him to do catching up with the work that
has been left undone for the past two
months.
Mr.. Snowden called for vote on his mo-
ticn, and the question was put and carried.
The opposition called for division, and
the original decision was sustained. In an
instant Mr.. Greene of the third ward and
Mr.. Studer of the second ward made the
point CT order that the motion was new
business carrying an appropriation with 1t,
and was therefore lost.