Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-01-25

bate which at one time became quite
exciting.
At the close Of the report the CON
rnissioners said that Mr.. Wheat, the
president OF the company, Ihad declared
that MS company had determined to
sue the city for libel in passing the res
olution which created the commission.
Mr.. Greene, carbohydrates that?
Read it over again. 1t was read again
with the addition that
Under these circumstance" they
called attention to the fact that water
companies have been sued and forced
to pay heavy damages for furnishing
unwnolesome water.
Mr.. Greene said that it was import
ant that the committees action should
be sustained but as further report was
expected, action might be deferred.
Mr.. White said ne was GLAD to know
the company was not using water from
Hunting creek. He then introduced
resolution in which the City Council re-
quests the water company TO adopt the
differing process.
Mr.. Smith moved that 800, or so
imuch es is necessary be appropriated
Ito publish the Mayors message and the
commissioners report in the city pa
kpers.
Mr. Birrell did not like to beg the
water company to do justice, but legis
lation on this subject had reduced Us to
this position. This was the effect OF
monopolg. Corporations had no souls
and cases like this showed their power
over communities. He had met 10
his advocacy of the temperance
cause g serious bar in the high
rates OF the water company
People thought that they could get more
beer than water for less money, and
such water as it was. II was burning
shame.
Mr. Greene agreed with Mr.. Birrell
that this was burning shame. This
was the only opportunity the city had
ever had to get justice. He did not
think that holders OF water company
stock should dominate. No man noi
recreant to his duty could stand tor the
water company against his community
He then made bitter attack on the
water company, calling it ''grindiDe
monopoly" and declaring that eacn
member of the company should be in
iicted for nisdemeanor.
Mr.. Trinyer was called to the chair
Mr.. Snowden said that the remark
of the gentleman from the Third ward
ward (Mr Green might have some ref
erence to him.
Mr.. Greene most courteously di:-
claimed any reference to Mr. Snowden.
Yet, said Mr.. Snowden, there was
such reference ss might call on him
10 declare that he held two shares of
water stock and was director of the
water company, but he was more inter
ested in the health OF his family, him
! self and his friends than 10 the small
interest he had 10 the com
papv. He drank water, even il
beer was cheaper; drank whisky too
when he chose, but never heard any
one before state that the water com
pany was the enemy OF temperance
Mr.. Snowden called attention to the
fact that 81 the directors ofthe water
company were public-spirited citizens
whom every one knew, aud warm
ly defended them. 1t must be ey-
ident that as they and their families
drank the water they had even public
aud private reasons to make it as pure
as possible He said that it was tie
policy OF the company to furnish as
/ pure water as it was possible to secure
and said that few years ago when it
was claimed that an expenditure $3.50
would divert the water from TayIor's
run from the city water supply Mr..
Wheat, the president OF the company,
had authorized the expenditure OF
$500 to make permanent the d.
vergence. He said that he did not at
this time want to discuss the report OF
the committee, but that very report
showed that one expert showed the
water to be pure, the other that it was
very bad. He said he believed that no
one would deny that Alexandria had
bettsr water than either Washington,
Baltimore or Richmond. Mr.. Snowden
closed by saying be would oppose 10
resolution Council might deem proper
to pass concerning the water supply,
be simply wanted to state his position
| on the matter and his relations With
the water company.
4 Mr.. Green again denied any personal
allnsion to Mr.. Snowden and Mr..
White said he considered that the d.
rectors were all gentlemen, and there
fore he had introduced his request.
Mr. Greene (who misunderstood the
purport OF Mr.. Whites resolution was
amazed that Mr.. White should take
this position Of begging and asked il
he represented the water company.
Mr.. White replied that he did MOI
represent the Water Company, but
wished to appeal to the Water Com
pany to do justice.
There seemed to be general opposi-
ton to any form OF petition and the
proposal of Mr.. White was laid on the
table.
The report was received and ordered
to be published in the city papers.
No other business occasioned debate.
OFFICIAL.