Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-15
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Proposed Leasing of City Gas and
Electric Plants.
MAYOR SIMPSONS OPPOSITION
Cites Many instances That Have
Bearing on the Subject.
OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST
SIMPSONS OPPOSITION
OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 1U1 King Street.
Bell TeleDhOne No. 1G.

Bell Telephone No. 1O6.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. January Is, 1900.
Mayor Simpson, upon being questioned
by Star reporter as to his opinion of the
recent proposition to lease the city gas and
electric PLANS said that under ordinary
circumstances it would be a little indicate
to criticise measures pending in the city
council. but that the proposition now be-
fore the council was so absurd as to place
it beyond the pale of regular consideration.
The mayor said he could recall much bet;
ter propositions than the present one. In
1898 there was an offer of $500 annual
rental. the free use OF gas for all public
buildings. infirmlry, armory and engine
houses. and a further supply of lamps, so
that there would be a light on every cor
ner not supplied with electric lamps. The
gas was to be supplied at 81. % per 1000
feet. to be reduced after five years to 81.
and all this without reference to the cleo
trio plant.
continued, the city treasurer is quoted as
saying that the plant was worth 100000,
and that the city should not part with so
valuable an asset.
Cases in Point.
The mayor said these persistent attempts
to secure control of the city gas and cleo
tric light works were generally turned
down to the great benefit of the corpora
ton. For example, he said, in 1891 some
parties wanted the city to remit all taxes
and ground rents against the Potomac
Manufacturing Company amounting to
nearly $i1.G3o. and to exempt from taxa
ton real estate for the benefit of the
Owens Canal Company of Ohio.
This was opposed, the mayor said, by
Messrs Mushbdck. Bryant. Snowden and
others in the city council. and the result OF
~ defeat nf he !, ri
is found in the fact that the city collected
the s11,Ooo, the ground rent was sold for
$1,000 and other property connected with
the works for S2.tD0. and with other taxable
values the city preserved $4,000.
Reference TO AUDITORS R~port
The mayor also referred to the city audi
tors report for 1899 showing 6 per cent in
come on valuation of s1Ss. 900.
He stated that as far back as 1850 private
parties had agitated the question of private
ownership of the gas works. He quoted
from official records showing that pro-
posal of purchase was made by Trenton,
n J., firm December 10. 1850. and that q
bill was passed in council December 20,
the same year. providing that the question
of private or public ownership should be
submitted to vote of the people. The bal
loting resulted in a vote of 40 in favor of
city control and - against il.
In view of these facts and figures, the
mayor said. in conclusion, it was surpris-
slider a proposition of G per cent on $l0oo0o.
with no taxes to pay. the transaction pro-
posed being a lease. and with gas at sl.2O.
though the price, he went on to say. might
fall to 30 cents in the next fifty years.
To Select a Pastor.
At a session of the Second Presbyterian
Church after services yesterday morning
1t was decided to call a congregational
meeting for next Sunday. following the
morning hour for preaching. for the pur-
pose of appointing a committee to nominate
a pastor for the pulpit. recently made
cant by the resignation of Rev. ]. Ernest
Thacker
welI-KnOwn Citizen Dead.
Joseph Mingen, a Yell-known citizen,
died Saturday night at his residence.
No. 140S Duke street. after a lingering Ill
ness. Deceased was thirty-eight years OF
age, and leaves widow and three chill
dren. He came to this city several years
ago from Royersford, Pa, and entered the
employ of the Virginia glass works. in West
End. Funeral services will be held in Trim