Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-04-29

that all other laborers employed by the
city would urge similar claims should
the petition of the street men be granted;
besides the city was in no condition to
increase its expenditures. 1t would be
necessary to borrow money to meet the
running expenses of the city for the re-
mainder of the fiscal year.
The action of the Common Council
was non-concurred in and it was ordered
that workmen employed in sewer con-
struction receive fifteen cents per hour
in future.
COMMON COUNCIL.
President Paf presided and twelve
members were in their seats.
The finance committee reported in
favor of granting Superintendent OF Out
door Poor Richards, $25 for extra work
and it was agreed to.
The committees ON streets and finance
reported adversely on the application OF
the sewer laborers to be paid $3.50 for
nine hours, instead of 81. Is for ten hours.
Mr.. Brill desired to be recorded as
voting against the report, and called for
the yeas and nays. Considerable debate
ensued before a vote was taken.
Mr.. Leadbeater said that the commit
tees were not ready to give increased
pay because the city treasury could not
afford it, as if one class of workmen were
paid 81. so per day all would want it.
Mr.. Spinks said that this application
was for only the amount paid by the
contractors for similar work. The work
on sewers is different and much harder
than the ordinary street work of sweeping.
Mr.. Bryan said that council co1ld
not afford to pay the rate demanded be-
cause of the financial condition of the
city and that this advance would be but
beginning of demands on the city
treasury.
After further debate,
Mr.. johnson said he was willing to
vote for 81. so per day but not to reduce
the hours at the same time. He moved
that the pay be fixed at Is cents per
hour.
Mr.. Burke suggested that it would be
better to refer the subject back to the
committee.
Mr.. BRYAN said that to make change
at this time would be perilous to the city &
finances, and he thought that Council
should take the stand which the interests
of the city demanded. He objected to
recommitment.
As the question required on Mr..
Johnsons motion to pay Is cents an
hour to the sewer laborers,
Mr.. Leadbeater asked if that would
be for a nine hour day or a ten hOu:
day.
Mr.. Johnson-'Let them work 10
or even twelve hours if they wish"
Mr.. Johnson's motion was lost by a
tie vote, and the committees recon-
mendation adopted, by 7 to 5.
An order to summon the property
holders on Wolfe street between st.
Asaph and Royal streets to determine
whether they favored a sewer there
under the 33d section was agreed to.
The finance committee reported that
800 would be the cost of paving the
alley running east from Pitt street near
ST. PauPs Church and that the whole
cost must be paid by property owners.
An appropriation of $27e to gutter
Patrick street, between Oronoco and
Pendleton streets, was agreed to.
The street committee reported adverse
ly on an order that hereafter all side
walks be laid under the supervision of
the City Engineer, Mr.. Leadbeater
stating that such an order would, the
City Attorney thought, be beyond the
power of the City Council. The COM
mittee would, however, haze specifca-
tions printed to be used by those who
are having sidewalks laid, if they de-
sired.
Mr.. Burke suggested that more than
that was now needed, but Mr.. Lead
beater said that the Corporation Attor'
ney had decided that until the legisla'
turo acted on the subject it would be i'm
possible for the city to make any regula
tons in the matter of sidewalks.
Mr.. johnson urged that the City
Engineer should, of his own accord,
supervise the sidewalks and see that the
property holders be treated fairly in the
laying of them.
Mr.. Spinks said that if The Engineer
took charge and required granolithiC
sidewalks they would cost 100 per cent
more than now. If the citizens were
cheat it would be their own fault.
The report of the committee that nc
action be taken was agreed to.
An appropriation of $4,000 for i'm,
provements at the gas works was referred
to the committee.
The committee on general laws sub
mitted the opinion of the Corporation
| Attorney to the effect that the charter Of
the water company could not be amend
ed by the legislature of Virginia and there
fore that the proposal to secure any amend,
ed charter of the water company could
not be carried out. He suggested, how
ever. an amendment Of the ordinance
of 1889 which would be sustained by the
Court of Appeals, and which would ef'
feet all that was desired to compel the
water company to comply with street
rules.
Mr.. johnson moved that the matter
be recommitted with instructions to have
a proper ordinance prepared, which was
agreed to.