Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-13
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
MAYORS VIEWS OF PROPOSED
LEASE OF GAS WORKS.
Objects to the Terms Offered-Meeting
of Mt. Vernon Board Of
Visitors.
Note No. 1.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 701 King ST.,

Bell IelepnOne NO IUO
ALEXANDRIA, Va, May IL, 1907.
Mayor Simpson this morning gave express
sion to some emphatic views in regard to
the proposal made to the city council for
lease of the city gas works. He spoke Of
the value Of the works and the franchise,
declaring that the latter was worth S1O0, 0OO
It was understood, he said, that private
parties in Alexandria, should the gas works
be considered for sale, were willing to give
500, 600 for the property, without limiting
the amount of gas which would be given to
the city. If the property was ever disposed
Of the mayor said, council would place it
in the hands Of those parties paying the
most money for it, instead Of turning the
whole asset over to people who did not pro-
pose to pay the city dollar, and would
even limit the amount Of gas to be used by
the corporation to 100000 feet per year.
The mayor thought that the sense Of the
proposition referred to, heretofore outlined
in The Star, was Of nature which, If
adopted. would lower the dignity OF the
city. The corporation, he said, Is not In the
position Of mendicant, seeking aid from
outside parties for the adjustment OF in
ternal affairs. If it were deemed necessary
to have a special examination of the &C
counts of the gas works, the corporation is
well able to stand the cost, the mayor
added. But he denied that the city wanted
such examination, or that 1t was at all nee
essary In any event, he said, the assist
ance Of outside parties was not desired.
Cost of Operation.
He spoke also Of the argument advanced
by those making the proposition in regard
to the relative cost Of operating the gas
works and the electric plant. They at
tempted to make stock, he said, out OF the
statement that the annual outlay for run
ming the electric light plant, for which there
was no monetary return, almost covered the
net earnings per annum from the gas
works He said the fallacy Of this con-
tention was apparent when it was observed
that the electric plant supplied the city
with light a thing absolutely necessary,
and that the same argument might be used
in regard to the fire department, for which
there is an expenditure, but no return In
finances or any other department OF the
city economy.
The attention Of every citizen, the mayor
thought, must be arrested by the spectacle
Of the parties making the proposal pro-
longing their strenuous exertions to get
held Of the gas works In the race OF direct
and repeated setbacks from the city gov
eminent. This, he said, ought to convince
everybody Of the recognized value OF the
property and the necessity for the corpora
ton keeping it in control.
Mt. Vernon Board Of Visitors.
The annual meeting of the board Of visit
ors of Mount Vernon took place there to-
day. Gov A. J. Montague and party reach
ed here shortly after noon over the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac rail-
road, and left for Mount Vernon in train
over the electric road. In the party in ad-
dition to the governor were Mrs. A. ].
Montague, Mr. and Mrs. White of Norfolk
and Col. and Mrs. Archer Anderson Of
Richmond. They were Joined in this city
by Mr. Gardner L. Boothe, a member of
the board of visitors. The meeting at
Mount Vernon included a business session
and luncheon, at which brief speeches were
made The meeting was in session at
O'Clock. 1t will adjourn at 4.
Closing Of Industrial School.
The closing exercises of the William Nc
Kinley Normal and Industrial School, color
ed, drew large audience in the school hall
yesterday afternoon. Introductory remarks
were made by Magnus L. Robinson and
prayer was offered by Rev. H. H Robin
son. Letters expressing regret at inability
to attend were read from Secretary of State
Hay and Mr.. Cortelyou, secretary to the
President. The principal address Of the
evening was made by Prof. Jesse Lawson
on the subject The Pressing Needs of the
Hour"
General Matters.
The board Of health held a special meet
ing last evening at o'clock in the Office
of the city treasurer. Most of the business
transacted was of a routine nature. The
resignation Of Mr.. 8. A. Mankin as a men,
Der Of the board was received and accepted