Evening star., 1901-12-19
AF FAIRS IN Al ExANDRIA
MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD OF
POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
Charges Made Against Policeman Bet
tbs Ordered Observation-Disclosures
Before Progressive Association.
Evening Star Bureau.
No.. 7O1 King St,
Bell Telenhnne. No. Jog,

Bell Telepnone, NO loo,
ALEXANDRIA, Va, December 10. 1901.
The regular monthly meeting of the board
Of police commissioners was held last even
ing in the police court room, with Mayor
Simpson presiding and Commissioner Law
Ter acting as secretary, in the absence OF
Secretary Miller Chief Webster of the po-
lice force submitted a report in which
charges were made against Policeman
Frank Belts for alleged disrespectfui con-
duct toward the chief. 1t was stated that
the offense had occurred the night of No
vember 16, while Chief Webster was on his
way home from the station house.
When the charge was read Mayor Simp-
son addressed the board, calling attention
to the rule requiring all cases of such ma
ture to be passed upon by the mayor be-
fore they could be brought to the atten-
ton of the commissioners This, he showed
the chief had neglected to do, having mere
iy mentioned to the mayor that he intend
ed to bring the matter before the board.
Upon considering these facts the members
of the board informally decided that there
was no case before them, although the
mayor expressed his willingness to have
the charge Investigated if it was so de-
sired.
Mayor Simpson then said that he would
hear the case, sitting as mayor and not
as president of the police board. After
hearing the evidence of several witnesses
the charge was dismissed.
A communication was read by the acting
secretary from Secretary Miller, stating
that he had been suddenly called out of
town, and that he had retained Attorney
Anthony w. Armstrong to prosecute the
claim of the commissioners against the city
for expenses incurred in litigation in the
circuit court.
After the transaction of other minor mat
ters the board adjourned.
Progressive Association Meets.
The Citizens Progressive Association met
last night in the rooms of the Business
Mems League and heard the report of a
new and more modern system of assess
ment for the city. as promulgated by five
members of the association. The following
were present: Messrs. ]. r. Zimmerman,
James Bayne, Frank Harper, E. S. Lead
beater and M. B. Harlow. The report was
read by Mr.. Bayne.
According to his views property ought to
be assessed at so much per square foot
and the buildings separately. He cited that
he had compared the difference on two
pieces of King street property, showing
that one man was assessed at the rate of
SLID per square foot, and another on the
same square at A cents per square foot.
The report was adopted. In the opinion of
Mr.. Harlow, from $4,000 to $4,000 more
tax can be derived annually by the city
under the proposed new plan.
In the new plan 1t is proposed that the
assessment be made by three people ap-
pointed by the city council, to be known as
a board Of assessors, and that what is
known as board of review be also ap-
pointed by the city council to look over the
assessment. After the assessment has been
made and approved by the board of review
it would hold good for a period of five
years. The general opinion among the five
present last night seemed to be that coun-
Gil would act favorably on the report. 1t
was decided to urgesthe matter among the
members of the city council.
General and Personal.
Miss Ashley Christian Dempsey, daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Phaneas ]. Dempsey, and
Mr. John Armstrong Carter of Ports
mouth, Va, were quietly married yesterday
afternoon at $50 o'clock at the residence of
the brides parents, No, 217 South Fairfax
street. The ceremony was, performed by
Rev. j. Ernest Thacker. of Norfolk, for.
merly pastor of the. Second Presbyterian
Church here. 1t was witnessed by large
party of friends and relatives of the two
families. Mr.. and Mrs. Carter will make
their future home in Portsmouth.
Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Aitcheson, wife of
Mr.. Andrew Aitcheson, died last night at
the family residence, No. 200 Duke street
The deceased was sixty-five years Of age.
Her husband and several children survive
her. She was a daughter of jeremiah Nc
Knew of Washington, and was born in that
city. The funeral services will take place
tomorrow afternoon at o'clock at Mr..
A1tcheson'S residence. Rev. T. P. Phillips
of ST. Pauls Church will officiate.
The annual meeting of the stockholders
of the Charlottesville and Rapidan Railroad
Company was held in this city yesterday,
and the following directors were elected for
the ensuing year: E. l.. Daingerfield, A. B.
Andrews, J. w. Burke. r. F. Mason, T. P.
Wallace, j. B. Moon and L. w. Reed The
officers elected We're: A. B. Andrews, pres
ident; r. D. Lankford, secretary; A. c..
Ansley, treasurer and A. H. Plant, auditor.
Traffic was delayed for some time late
yesterday afternoon the Washington,
Alexandria and Mt. Vernon railroad by an
accident to a work car near Spring Park
The car jumped the track and tumbIed
down an embankment Timothy Desmond,
the motorman, was slightly injured.