The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-13
CITY COUNCIL.
Special Meeting called by Light Committee
Sewerage 10 be Commenced az once.

Sewerage 10 be Commenced az once.
On Friday last an article appeared in
the journal. a. newspaper OF this city /,
criticlsiug the sotlOn OF the Llght
Committee IN awarding the coal con-
tract for the gas house for the coming
year 20 !. h. Leitch q 90. at "a price
Of 20 cents per ton higher than q bid
made by Charles Wallace ~ Bro. In
this article there was insinuation Of
iobbery at which the committee,
Messrs. + McOracken, j Z. Rowe
and L.. Perry, became aRgEieved and
asked that spccial meeting Of the
council be called Monday night as 80
90 Investigate the subject
In the meantime Mr. IL. Lewis wal
lace. learning that the committee were
personally sggrieved, announced through
the Star Monday evening that he wac
the author If the article but had no
Intention Of rejecting on the personal
integrity If the members OF the commit
tee When this communication aLpeai -
ed it was thought IL might END the
matter but IL did not
Mayor Willis presided az the council
meeting and every councilman except
Mr.. Hurkamp was present. Mr.. NC
Craoken arose and said My atten'
ton has been called, l would not nave
seen it otherwise, 90 au aftiole In
p,per If this city which reflects upon
the honesty and integrity Of the L'Rat
Committee in the awarding OF the con-
tract for coal for supplying the Ra9
house # this city the coming year
When II came out my committee met
and sent a communication 60 the paper,
demanding the name Of the author Ii
was promptly given. The writer OF
the article Is Mr. II Lewis Wallace
He is a gentleman Of standing In the
community ana such communication
from him dem uds recognition and q
defense Of the act on Of my com mlttee
[ am the chairman Of the Light OOm
mittee and IN the awarding VI the coal
contract did not vote. for personal rea.
sons. but heartily sustain the action Oi
the other two members in awarding the
contracs e. Lietch q Co., because. while
the price was higher. the coal for gas
parposes is better aud IN the end ohesp-
~ NV committee felt that &c should
bring this matter before the council, Lot
ONLY on It's personal account. but because
any reflection on the committee was
refsoton on the body OF which 1t is a
part You know the nigh character OF
my associates on the committee. nave
been sssooiated with you since the war
and before. There has been no public
improvsment in this city In which /
0 a.
pride | state that l was member OF the
Water Committee when oar present
works were built. ] was chairman Of
the Bridge COMMITTEE and am now
chairman Of the Light Committee
which has in charge the building OF the
new electric light plant l have no
objection 70 criticism Of my acts as y
member OF this body, but there is one
thing no man shall do with ut my re-
seDtiDg-impugninR my honesty as
man aud OfiUsl For that reason my
COMMITTEES submits report OF the
reasons which aCtuated them IN award
ing the contract IL shows the results
ri lasts IN de If the coal for gas pur-
poses. and we ask that the council
make a thorough investigation OF the
subject.
Mr. Dole said :''Iu view Of the fact
that d.. Wall zee has made public
lerter Ia which he disclaims any PEI
sonel T. fiction on the committee and
the drawers Of the report submit
ted 30 this body, l move the repJTt be
received and the Council declare itsti II
satisfied without investigation.
Mr.. Embrey This matter should
cever hsve come before this body. l
move that the report be laid on the
sable.
MIR. McOracken: If this report Is
laid on the table my committee VIII
appeal 20 the oOurts This Ocuncll
must either exU1erste our committee
tonight or appoint a committee to in-
vestigate the charges. -
Messrs. Rowe and Perry strenuopsly
opposed the laying of the matter on the
table.
Mr. Brsdley: "AccediDg to the
wishes of the committee, move that an
Investigation De had and a committee
appointed for the purpose.
Mr.. Oole's motion was then seconded
by Mr.. Gstely and was carried
Mr.. Cole read letter from Hon. W.
A. Jones. In which 1t was stated that
the r yer and Harbor Committee mao
decided not to hear any more commit
tees asking for appropriations Ihat
all possible effort was being MADE 10
get an increased amount for the hap
pahannook this year.
That in estimates for the tonnage last
wear only that Of the Weems line nao
been estimated, while the thousands OF
tons of poplar wood, r. K ties. corn
wheat and other products had been
overlooked. This was important as she
appropriation is based on tonnage.
the joint committee on sewerage and
street Improvement submitted report.
In IL was a proposition from n Wilson
Davis. engineer, TO take charge OF So.
pertntending the work at cost OF $500
provided the work is completed in four
months If it Is extended beyond that
time $3.50 per month should be PAID:
Bids were ordered to be advertised
for TO do the sewerage work as soon az
possible and a contract made win mr.
Davis TO superinsend same
Mr. Embrey asked that $500 be appro'
priated to complete the street WORK at
ST. George and Baptist church hills
granted.
On motion Of Mr. Bradley 81 600 was
appropriated 20 Light Committee 1oi
ths purpose Of paying for work done on
electric light plant until the oona'
already sold are delivered on Jan. lst
The council then adjourned.