The times., 1899-11-15
ALEXANDRIA NEWS.

ALEXANDRIA, Nov. H-Considcrable business
Of interest was transacted at the semi-mouth!y
meeting of the city council tonight \ com.
municatiOn was received from Mayor George L.
Simpson calling attention to the comparatively
small amount OF revenue derived by the city from
the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon
Electric Railway, also calling attention to the
valuable franchises granted to the railroad com
pany By the city He referred specially to the
right Of way granted over South ROYAL Street,
and stated that the company had failed to
employ a fagman at the intersection OF Wilkes
and ROYAL Streets, as required by the terms Of
the ordinance. He contended that the company
had failed to compensate the city for the val
liable franchise, and urged that the matter be
referred to the committees on finance, general
laws, and streets for consideration, with the hope
that some method might be suggested by which
the railroad company could be required to pay
for the privileges enjoyed by that corporation.
The communication referred to the commit
tees named. The finance committee reported ad-
veTsCly on resolution to reduce the salary Of
the city engineer from 81 800 to $1,000. The re
port adopted.
The committee on lights reported in favor Of
placing gas lamp at the intersection OF Payne
and Cameron Streets and the report adopted
Petitions OF several residents for permission Co
improve frame dwellings, within the fire limits
granted.
The petition Of J. Chris Gill steward Of offices
and messenger Of the common council, for an
increase OF salary to $500 per anHGm, was re
ferred to the finance committee proposition was
received from the Thompson Electric Company
for permission TO furnish electric current for
operating fans, motors, and incandesceut lights
was received and referred to the committee on
light, and a joint resolution directing the
committee on general laws to receive pro
posas for codfyng the city laws was referred to
the committee on general laws.
The sum OF S2j appropriated for a crossing
at Washington and Gibbon Streets. 4 resolution
adopted in both branches directing the
superintendent OF gas to report the amount OF
delinquent gas bills in hand, and resolution
providing for an expert 10 examine the gas
works and report the necessary Improvements
needed at the plant, was referred to the COM
mIttee on light
Messra Ball. Alice and Fink. who conducted
the recent examination of applicants for the office
Of city engineer, reported that OF the three who
presented themselves for examination. L. r.
GrabiI OF Washington, was the only one who
passed the examination.
\ petition was read from the Alexandria Light
infantry requesting the council to appropriate
sufficient sum Of money to place new floor in
the arnory OF the company. In the absence OF
definite information to cost of proposed inn.
proyement, the matter referred to the com
mittees on finance and public property 4 reso-
luton providing for appropriation OF S4O0 for
improving the roadway in South Henry st e t.
was referred. pipe gutter was ordered TO be
constructed at Payne and King Streets
reported
the council that the terms OF School Trustees L.
H. Thompson Herbert Bryan William NJ smith
and George barley had expired. The two branches
OF the council met in joint convention for the
purpose Of filling the vacancies, and also TO fl
The vacancies IN the board Of health, and TO elect
4 city engineer
The four school trustees named were reelected
without opposition. At the last meeting Of the
council Mayor Simpson reported that he had
appointed G. B. Marshall, c. " Howell r. H.
Hagener, W. IT, May, and \. 5 Greenawuy to
fill vacancies Oecasioned by the failure OF certain
members elected to qualify. The above named
and DIR, Arthur SnOWden. Albert Bryan, Henry
Strauss George A. MuShbaCh. and John Nc
Cuen were placed ia nomination After several
ballots the following were declared elected: c.
Henry Strauss, and George A. Mushhach The
Ioint convention then proceeded to the selection
of a city engineer. Mr f. E. Lawler presented
the name Of i. c. Dunn, former city engineer
which OccaSioned considerable discussion. as AIr
Dunn had resigned the position. The name of l.
x. GrshiH was also declared to be in nomination
On the fret ballot Mr. Dunn received l5 and Mr.
Grabi! votes. air. Dunn was declared elected
city engineer, and the joint convention was
dissolved.
A resolution was adopted in the two branches
providing that the term Of cfice OF the City
engineer-elect shall commence March l. 1000
defective fue at the paperhangng establish
ment of +. Z. Padgett in King Street this morn
by the use Of chemical eXtinguishers The loss
about $500, is covered by insurance.
The steamer Estelle Randall is at the shipyard,
where she Will receive new propeller.
The annual conference If the Catholic diocese
Of Virginia viii he held At the parsonage Of st
Marys Church, in this city, ON Friday.
In the corporation court today Judge Norton
Granted a charter to the Capital Wall Paper
Mills Company. The objects Of the company
are to erect mills and manufacture and sell