Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-29
B. F. Cook, Clerk Of Gas, Mysteriously
Disappears.
ALLEGED SHORTAGE IN HIS ACCOUNTS
The Matter Officially Reported To-
day to the Mayor.
GENERAL AND PERSONAL
Evening Star Bureau,
No. J29 King street.
Bell telephone No. LOG,

| No. 529 King street.
Bell telephone No 106,
| ALEXANDRIA, Va, January %, 1898.
r. Theodore Cook, clerk of the gas,
| mysteriously disappeared from the city
Tuesday night, and his whereabouts are
known only to a few of his immediate
| friends He left letter addressed to his
mother, Mrs. Frank Cook. but the contents
| of this letter have not been made public.
1t is believed. however, to contain an adj
| mission that he is short in his accounts,
! but to what extent is not known. There
have been many rumors afloat, but those
who are in a position to do so will not con-
firm or deny them.
Some weeks ago Chairman Uhler of the
finance committee introduced resolution
at the meeting of the city council, calling
upon the superintendent Of the gas works
and the clerk Of gas to make report of
the affairs at the works, showing receipts
and expenditures. The report of Mr.. Cook,
the clerk. was handed in at the meeting
Tuesday night. but owing to the pressure
of business and the Endorsement made on
the report in the board Of aldermen, the
matter was referred to the committee on
light and nothing further was thought OF
it.
1t has developed however, that in this
report Mr.. Cook claimed to have paid over
to the city treasury about $l,0O0 more
than had actually been turned in. This,
together with the unexplained disappear
ance of Mr. Cook, has caused the belief
in the minds of many that he is at least In
that amount short in his accounts, and, as
a matter of fact, it may prove to be heav-
Ter when a complete examination OF the
made by an expert.
1t is not definitely decided what action
| will be taken by the city authorities in the
matter but a Star reporter was informed
| that already four gentlemen-Messrs. Jno.
H. Strider, James Mansfield, Doc Cook
ley and ]. H. Raines-had announced them
selves as candidates for the office should
1t become vacant. The city council will
fill the vacancy should one occur.
The committee on light has reported TO
the mayor the fact that the discrepancy
exists in the report of the clerk of gas.
Mayor Simpson told Star reporter this
afternoon that he would take action in
the matter early Monday morning.
Friends Make Good the Shortage.
The friends of Mr.. r. T. Cook at 2:30
o'clock today deposited with the city treas
urer 81 .56S to make up for the amount Of
the alleged shortage.
Incandescent Light Question.
The matter of placing an incandescent
light plant at the electric light works and
making such other improvements as will
put the plant on a paying basis has been
the subject of general discussion since the
meeting of council Tuesday night. 1t ap-
pears to be the general opinion that such
steps should be taken at once as will place
Alexandria in the list of up-to-date cities,
certainly SO far as its lighting facilities are
concerned When the present plant was
put in ten years ago 1t was promised that
incandescent lights should follow, and they
have, it is demonstrated, been following
ever since but have not as yet caught up.
q
works, or else renting current from some
outside corporation. but 1t Is commended
that if Others can make money out of II
the city can.
Mr.. j. M. Hill, manager of the opera
house. has made application to ,the city
council for permission to put in mean
descent lamps, and others have done the
same thing, but no definite action has ever
been taken. Since the matter has reached
it's present state 1t is hoped by the citizens
generally that ere long any one wanting In
candescent lights can obtain them.
Why said prominent citizen this
morning ''even the dives at Jackson City
are lighted by incandescens lamps, yet We,
in city of twenty thousand inhabitants,
cannot get them.
Resignation Accepted.
At the recent meeting in Richmond of the
trustees of the Episcopal Theological Sem
mary the board conveyed to Rev. c. Walk
er, D. D., the present dean and professor of
systematic divinity, their appreciation of
his great worth, but thinking his infirmi-
ties. by reason of age, were so many. they
resolved to accept his resignation. to take
effect at the end of the present session,
and to offer him such pecuniary aid as
their means justify. They expressed re-
greet at being obliged to take this step, the
infirmities of his age making ii impossible
to do otherwise.
Tax Assessment Corrected.
In the corporation court in the matter of
the petition of Julia G: Chapman, execu-
trix of Mary d. Gregory deceased, to cor
rect an assessment of taxes on $4,000 of
securities, based upon a report of A. W.
Sinclair, examiner of records 1t was Or
dered that the assessment be corrected
end that the applicant be sxonerated from
payment of said tax.
Old Dominion Boat Club.
There was a largely attended meeting of
the Old Dominion Boat Club Thursday
night. at which steps were taken looking
to reorganization and rebuilding its boat
house, which was destroyed by fire last
June. The club got 5000 insurance and
own the ground on which the boat house
vas located.
Braddocl< Row Deserted.
The old row of business places in the
Braddock House will shortly be deserted.
VIM. H. May & Son are moving to the
corner of King and Lee streets, the West
ern Union Telegraph Company will move
to building on King street between Fair
fax and Royal; the Adams Express Com
pany will transfer to the McBurney build
ing. at the corner Of King and Washington
streets. and, 1t is said, the Postal Tele-
graph Company will also get new quarters.
General and Personal Notes.
The Alexandra Shoe Company has been
Incorporated by the legislature.
The Misses French are visiting friends in
Baltimore.
Mr. Joe Lambert. who is i'll in St. Louis,
is said to be improving.
Miss Mollie Herndon has returned from
visit to friends in Leesburg.
Mr.. John A. Marshall has returned from
| Hot Springs. Va.
The smoker given by O'Kane Council,
Catholic Benevolent Union, at the YOUNG
Mems Sodality Lyceum was great sue
cess, and all hands enjoyed a delightful
evening. Mr.. Jos. s. Heinsler Of Baltimore
was the principal speaker Of the evening
Refreshments were served. There was q
| large delegation present from Washington
In the police court this morning Mayor