The times., 1899-02-15
NEWS FROM ALEXANDRIA.

Alexandra. Va. Feb. li-Almost the entire
session of the cts council tonight was consumed
in considering matters pertaining TO the small
poN epidemic. but final action deferred until
tomorrow night. when special meeting Will be
held To dispose of the matter. message was
read nom Mayor simpson, together with COM
munication received by that official signed by
more than loo ciIizens, in which he WAS requested
U he guided by Health Officer Milcr's suggcs-
tons in matters pertaining to the smallpox epi-
demic. The mayor differed In opinion from has
petitioners and stated that the relations between
his office and that OF Health Officer Miller had
been cordial. The health officer, lie said, had
tire control ~ the smallpox quarantine. and Dr.
Miller had for complaint. To avoid
lawsuits against the city, and to maintain the
dignity Of his position. the mayor had refused
10 entertain the suggestion of the health officer
clos the public schools and houses of public
entertainment. Tie police who had been de-
tailed Tor smallpox duty were highly compli-
mented 10y The mayor. In concluding ms lengthy
message, the mayor Oppressed tic opinion that
within Il feN weeks smallpox would bc driven
from ibis oit,- Al the conclusion Of thc reading
OF Masor Simpsons communication message
WAS read from Dr. Miller. in which he disputed
many OF The statements made in thn may mes
sage. The health officer gave in detail history
oi the smallpox epidemic. He stated that not
only Lad hs suggestions neen ignored by the
mayor, but that the accuracy Of statements made
by him lad been doubted briei review oi the
origin aud present status Of the epidemic was
given. showing that since the discovery OF The
first cas-. ca December q there had developed
24g cases. - of which lSd been discharged and
20 ready to be discharged leaving 1876
persons still suffering from the disease. Dr.
Miller appealed 10 the council "a take such action
as would enable him "a discharge his dutes
''without being hanpered by any person who
did would not permit himself to realize
the gravity OF the situation Inless radical
means were adopted, the health officer was Of
the opinion that the coniagion would not die
| until hot weather, and then only to rc4ppeli
/ next winter. At the conclusion 81 The reading oi
the communication resolution was adopted di-
| reciing that a committee of FIVE be appointed 10
confer with the mayor and the health officer. in
yestigate the controversy and report to special
] meeting Of the council 10 be held tomorrow
night. Me-sT-. Green. Trimyer, and Brill were
| appointed on the part OF the common council
and Me-srs- Sweeney and Smoot from the board
Of aldermen.
| Messrs. Kraft and Burke. the committee re-
| Gently appointed To investigate reports relative
! to the purity Of Alexandria drinking water
4 have submitted an analysis made by Professor
| Welsh, OF Johns Hopkins University, in which
il II stated that tie water Is badly contaminated
! and should be filtered. The matter re
/ icrred the committee general laws.
! resolution providing for an appropriation o
| Sl,iHB remove snow from the streets, and alst
| resolution directing the city engineer TO re
! port the probable cost of boring four artesiaI
wells for public u.s.. were referred.
Business during the past forty eight hours ha
been Practically suspended IN lfi- tltE- mug
| sn0wdrifiS made il impossible Tor teams pas
| through the streets, and the banks hayc beer
| enlarged by snow thrown from the sidewalks
After several unsuccessful 4ttcInPs two powcriuI
engines 0f the Southern Railway forced pas
sage To the south end Of the Long Bridge. art
about > clock this evening Two trains trOn
Washington reached this city that road
bringing tie ff-; mail received here during tia
past fartv-ei.ht hours Subsequently, the tw
trains le't for the South. but il Is know
iIsd lar they have been able 10 proceed, tn
drifts are reported Ia De very heavy below TIL
city on rhc Washington Southern road tine
engines coupled together made unsuccessful
attempt to clear the track between this city AN
Quanticu. Traffic i still suspended on the Wash
lngton. Alexandria. and Mount Vernon Eiectri
Railroad, although Tho officials state that the
hope TO nun trains 10y tomorrow. Superintendent
Colyiu is engaged with 100 clearing away III
snow between this city and Washington. No at
tempt has been made to open The Mount Nerno
branch Of the electric road, and travel tina
division viii not be resumed for some davs. a
noon today a train the Washington and OH
road from this city reported 10 have reache
/ Falls Church. The river is frozen As far down a
! It's mouth. Much suffering has been reported i
| this city. Tie AleNdHdfiIns who were snowbouif
at the FouT-MileH Run powcr-hOuse ali day yc.
teuday and last night succeeded in reaching thi
city On foot today. This afternoon food va
sent 10 the workmen at the powcrh0usc by
| me sengcr, who made tbe journey afOot, as
was impossible for a team to reach the place.
Several trains were Tun between this city an
Washington this evening over the Pennsy Ivani
| road. The Chesapeake and Ohio train which let
| Washington this evening u blocked this side
Manassas, where the snow is banked thirty ic'
high.