The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-09-20
clTycOUScIL.
Many Matters Decentralization From
Citnens-Cireus Licenses-To Receive
u. A. x. Visitors-Hte., Etc.

The City Council held its meeting fo,
september Thursday night. Present
Mayor NJ. q. Willis and Councilmen Cole
MeCraeken. Embrey, Dannehl, Mills
Wallace and Perry
Mr.; Cole, OF Finance, reported sundry
small bills, which were ordered paid.
Mr.. Embrey, of Street. stated that his
committee reported adversely the appli-
cation of Virginia Excelsior Mills TO Law
a side track across Main street to their
works. lie also reported that the Joint
committee on Street Improvement would
make full report to a called meeting of
the Council early next week, and, if
adopted, proposals for bids will be sub
United at once and work on sidewa ak =
and streets commenced
MIR. McCracken. of Light, reported that
an accident occurred at the electric plant
about sept. LIST; that the superintendent
could not locate the trouble; tbatexperts
had been sent for to Richmond and Phila-
delphia; that after examination the de-
feet had been remedied and the plant is
in good order. but now there is low
wat r in the river and the plant did not
have sufficient water to furnish light;
that as soon as it rained there will be
no trouble. He also stat ii that his com
present conditions of the strike in the
coal fields to advertise for bids for a
years supply OF coal and were buying il
IN smalllots until the strike was over;
that there was an ordinance which re-
quired the committee to advertise for
bids.an il the Council saw At to instruct
that proposal for bids shall be ad yertised
Tor. his committee was ready to comply.
but he thought il unwise at present:
that what coal had been bought was at
old prices, except one lot at 30 cts per
ton advance. lie asked that the Council
would endorse the previous action of the
committee.
Mr. Cole heartily sustained the action
OF the Committee, and offered a resolu-
ton that the Committee be sustained in
their action and that bids should not be
advertised for until the strike was over
Mr. Perry opposed this on the grounds
that il the Committee had advertised for
bids in July a supply would have been
obtained. as is evidenced by the fact that
only one lot Of coal purchased since that
time had been bought ut an advance.
and that at only Scots per ton. Mr. Wal
lace said he was a coal dealer end that
there was no trouble in contracting for
bituminous coal; that the trouble only
existed in the anthracite coal fields.
Mr.. DaDnehl then offered resolu.
ton indorsing the action of the Com.
mittee since July. but now instruct
ing IL to advertise tonce for bids
for supply OF coal until next July. On
n recorded vote il was adopted. Yeas
Dannehl. Mills, Wallace and Perry Noes
Cole, McCracken and Embrey.
Mr.. Perry asked Chairman McCracken
why the roof ON the gas house had not
been put on. Mr.. McCracken said the
work had been allotted to Mr.. Wroten.
oil the committee, he being a contractor,
and the material had been nut In place
but Mr.. Wroten had his force OF men on
another contract The work will be
done at an early date.
Mr.. Dannehl, OF Schools. reported only
six oil the city students in attendance at
the College. The committee was instruct
ed to supply the remaining four
Mayor Willis reported 81 collected from
dog tax and 500 for fines
The following petition, signed by 30 of
the leading business men OF the city. was
presented. to-wit:
q" The taxpayers OF the city have pas-
sively submitted to dark streets AT
periods running into weeks since the in
PRODUCTION OF the new electric light plant
until patience has ceased to be a virtue.
and we, your petitioners, respectfully ask
that ST Fps be taken at once To make an
investigation as TO the condition of the
plant and remedy the existing detective
lighting of our streets. -
Chairman McCracken said the petition
was exactly to his taste, and moved that
committee OF three members of the
Council, not on the Light Committee
and three citizens be appointed by the
Mayor, whose duty il shall be to employ
an expert and settle this old chestnut. y
which the people had been harping on
since the plant had been built. Mr. Cole
opposed such action vigorously. and said
business of all kinds sometimes goes
wrong; that the superintendent was a
capital man for the position: that the
committee had done good work. and the
PLAN was one of the best in the State.
and the light was splendid when it burn
ed that it was the hand of Providence
that caused low water in the river, and
we must submit.
The resolution of Mr.. McCracken's was
defeated, Messrs-. Perry and McCracken
voting Tor it, and on motion OF Mr.. Cole
the petition was received and filed.
Mr.. Cole reported the sewer on Lewis
street had been finished and paid for by
Messrs. Rosebro and Yates. Also an ex-
eSh'iCAl VI ehC ctWcE utAu Dtcn maze on
Prince Edward to Commerce and hadbee
paid for by Messrs. King and Leavell.
An amendment was made to the or
dinance on circuses and shows. Circuses
and menageries are assessed at $50 i'm
side OF the city and same IL outside and
parade made on city streets. Pony and
dog shows. $50, and side shows, So.
Same conditions.
A petition signed by 122 citizens was
presented by Mr.. Cole praying for the
opening OF Weldon street, extend Wolfe
street, and open a new street near Vir-
ginia Shirt Factory. 1t was referred to
Street Committee, who will employ an
ingineer to make plot of same and re-
port to Council.
PERMISSION was granted the Fair Asso-
cation to use the street sprinklers on
the road leading to the Fair Grounds
and the race track during the Fair. Per.
mission was also granted Mr.. C. III. Hur-
kamp to use the street road machine to
level the private race track at 'Boscobel >
Mr.. Cole called attention to the com.
ing here OF members OF the q. A. r. from
Washington Oct to IL. He said that
H.. - l. l.