Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-03-13
CITY COUNCIL.

uuuonCtcus Au oIulnauCo COmpeliDe
the electric railway Company to pay
81 600 annually to the city for the use
of Royal street for period Of ten
years was passed by both branches
This ordinance 10 various shapes had
been before Council at different time:
for over year.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the Aldermen were present and
President Ballenger presided.
An order, passed by the lower board
directing the committee on streets to
have the pump at the corne. of Fairfax
and Franklin streets repaired, laid
over at the last meeting, came up. The
Aldermen, it will be remembered, bad
passed resolution appropriating $25
for the purpose, but the Common Coun-
Gil had concluded the work could be
done at a much less cost, had tabled
the resolution and passed the order r,
ferred to.
Mr.. J. T. Sweeney said be had car
ried the resolution OF the Aldermen to
the lower board and had explained 10
them that it was the opinion OF the Al
| dermen that new pump would be re-.
quired, but that a majority OF the Com
mon Council were impressed with an
idea that the pump could be repaired at
a cost OF about $3.50 or 50.
Mr.. Dobie said it had been stated in
| the Common Council that Elisha Jack
son would put the pump in working
order for $3.50, and that City Engineer
Holcombe had sent him to see Jackson
about 1t. The latter asked all par
ticulais concerning the present condi'
ton OF the pump and had offered to put
it In order for S25 or $50. The old
pump would have to be taken up and
considerable trouble experienced before
it could be placed in satisfactory con.
dition. 10 fact, the cid pump had seen
its day, and Jackson said he could not
guarantee how long the repairs would
last even at the figures he had named.
Mr. Dobie, however, was satisfied q
new one could be put 10 for S25 and all
further trouble averted-for many
years, at les 81.
Mr.. Msrhury asked Mr.. Dobie if he
purposed to put 10 an iron pump.
Mr.. Dobie-"No; n wooden one."
he went into an explanation OF Its
mechanism, and called attention to sew.
eral Of the patterns he alluded TO that
are now 10 use.
Mr.. B,lenger said by the reading of
the order from the Common Council
there was no limit placed on the ex-
penditure, and the committee on streets
could, under it, spend any amount
found necessary. Some specified sum
should have been placed in the order.
Mr.. Clark made similar observance.
That, he said, was what the Aldermen
had attempted to do.
Mr.. J. L. Sweeney said something
should be done In the matter.
Mr.. Dobie said he had determined to
have nothing further to do with 1t.
Mr.. Sweeney and Mr.. Ballsnger re.
terated that the committee on streets
we're empowered to have the work
done no matter what the cost would be.
Mr.. Doble said he understood that
the Common Council were con-
WINGED the work could be done for
$3.50. Ia order to being the matter be-
fore the board, he moved that that cum
be appropriated.
Mr.. W. II. Sweeney moved an
amendment, making the sum S25.
His amendment was adopted, and
the order was adopted.
Mr.. ]. t. Sweeney then called up the
ordinance, laid over at the last meeting,
levying an annual tax of 81 900 on the
electric railway company for the use OF
Royal street by its tracks. The ordi-
nance, 1t will be remembe red, bad been
amended, on Mr.. Sweeney's motion, by
inserting the words "for period of five
years" in section 5. 10 calling up the
ordinance he moved reconsideration
of the vote by which the amendment
was adopted which motion prevailed,
and the ordinance was placed on its
second reading. He said it was now in
its original form and open for amend.
ments. He urged the necessi y OF some
action In the matter, and explained in
detail the objsc. of the bill.
Mr.. Hill said he desired to offer an
amendment to section 5, which specifies
the tax, and also one to provide for
the payment of the sum annually,
and not quarterly, as provided 10 Mr..
Sweeney's ordinance. His amendment
was as follows:
"This ordinance shall remain 10 effect
so long as the said company complies
with the provisions thereof; provided,
however, that at the expiration OF the
period of ten Q0) years from it's
passage it shall be subject to repeal or
amendment by the City CouDcil of
Alexandria"
Mr.. Sweeney demurred to the
amendment as being in striking vari.
ance with the present ordinance. He
was convinced that the requirements in
his bill were more practical. The sum
levied was rental charge and did not
come under the head of taxes. The |
railway company paid their taxes an
nually, as other people, but this levy |
was q different thing altogether and for |
. specific purposs.
Mr.. Clark favored Mr.. Hills amend
ment; otherwise future Councils should |
change the emount Of the levy ad lib.
tum.
Mr.. Sweeney said bis purpose in To-
Producing the bill was to perpetuste its
provisions. Every time the matter bad
come up be had argued his best. By
he terms of Mr.. Hills amendment the
company would have twelve months to
determine whether they would pay the
evy or not, while his ordinance provid-
ID for the payment of the sum 10
quarterly instalments and would be.
come operative almost Immediately.
BE had fought long time for the
Measure, but he realized that in legisa-
ion some concessions have to be made.
The people wanted something done in
1910. ard In nrdor A Nm, Ia L