Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-11-29
SUPERINTENDENT OF GAS WoRKs

SUPERINTENDENT OF GAS WORKS.
The resignation OF Mr.. c. G. Bayly as
superintendent of Gas made 10 coun,il
on Tuesday night last is much 10 be
regretted, at he has proved mo t
ethclent, as well as very laborious
Official. His RESIGNATION will nee. s,itate
another examination as the ordinance
passed March 10 h last creating the
Office has two provisions OF great i'm e.
portance. First 10 defining his duties
the ordinance says: "He shall have full
power to employ and discharge en-
ployes," an authority not heretofore,
except by inference, given the supern.
tendent. This strange omission ap-
pears in all of the ordinances passed
prior to March last, and it may have
bsen by jealous feeling upon the part
OF the committee, OF surrender of their
rights; and yet, the power to employ or
discharge employees is not specifically
given the committee except through a
forced construction of this exlrac. from
city laws of 1874 "The committee on
light shall have the superintendence and
general government of the city Gas
works" aud also that "the committee
shall regulate the duties OF the super
intendent and may authorize the em
ployment of men about the works."
When the Office of superintendent was
abolished in 1895, it having been
charter office, amendments, indeed the
whole of chapter nine OF the city laws
were gone over,yet with no superintend-
ent the same words appear, "tbe COM
mittee on light may authorize the en-
pioyment of men about the works"
Authorize whom? The language i, not
go plain IS to avoid all contention, ~ for
'Spstance the committee shall haze p0aVer
TO employ, etc, as council nev,r has and
never Will allow a committee to create
an Office, or elect an officer. 1t appears
hat We ARE Just about in the position
We were when Mr.. Dunn resigned. An
other examination will be necessary, be.
cause 10 the second provision in the Or
dinance passed March Is, ard to which
reference has been made it, is required
that mo person shall be eligible to The
office OF Superintendent of Gas until be
shall have been certified to be compe
tent as practical gas manufacturer
after examination by board of three
exporter ced manufacturers OF gas" OF
course there are many ways to tide
over matters in connection with the
position. The law as to examination
could be repealed-ihis, however, is net
probable, as Mr.. Bayly's six months
work will show the necessity for the
right person. Council might by joint
resolution make imperative the Ordi-
nance for four or six months until an
examination could be held. 1t has been
stated that Mr.. Harry Fl. Hantzmop,
who has been connected with the works
all his life, has expressed a willingness
10 lock after the works az foreman Cr
person in charge, perform such duties
as are now largely his, and psy such
assistance as would be required for him
self for salary of 81 200, as it would
give him chance TO either succeed or
TAIL and make saving Of $500 10 sala-
ries. 1t is probable council wants q
man who can stand the examination,
as many persons are of the opinion that
former City Engineer Dunn'O leaving
the city has cost thousand; Of dollars
and that high pric ID articles. if good,
are the cheapest. Mr.. Bayly's resigue-
ton takes place on 1st OF December.
He, however, is willing to come to A
exandria at sDy time and assist W..