Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-12
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE OF
WATER SUPPLY.
Resolution Providing Therefor Adopted
by City Council-Reports of Com
mittees-oeneral News.
Special Correspondence sof ThsaEvening Star.

Special Correspondence of ThezEvening Star
ALEXANDRIA, va. October IL, 1904.
The quality of the drinking water of Alex
aEdria, which has been smuch discussed
during the past few months, will be made
the subject of an official Investigation ac-
cording to a resolution which was introduce
ed in the common council at the regular
semi-monthly meeting last evening. The
resolution, which was adopted, provides for
committee of two members from each
branch of council to confer with the presi-
dent of the Alexandra Water Company
with a view of devising some means for the
improvement of the water Mr.. spinks in
troduced the measure In response to numer-
Gus complaints about the condition of the
water which has been furnished the city
during the summer and autumn
The report of the committee on finance
and light, recommending the acceptance of
the proposition of G. F. Thompson to pur-
chase the city electric light and franchise
Tor the sum of $13. 800. was followed by
long discussion. After the bill had been
placed on it's second reading Mr. Spinks,
who opposes the sale, offered an amend
ment requiring the successful bidder to
give bond in the sum of 5000 for assuring
the stability of the contract. He called at
tention to the ordinance which required
bond of $4,000 to be given in thirty days,
but pointed out that in the meantime the
peISOH receiving the contract might sell the
franchise or might take other action which
would be embarrassing to the city.
Favors the Ordinance.
Mr.. Bryan spoke at length in favor of
the provisions of the ordinance, replying
to the staten ents of Mr.. Spinks by declar-
ing that the interests of the city in the
matter had been entirely protected. He
made an analysis of the provisions and
cited figures to substantiate his claim. Mr..
Bryan called attention to the city debt of
$SOS, COO, and to the state constitution, under
which the Indebtedness of Alexandria
should be limited to $72O, 600 Bonds aggre
eating $4,000, he stated, would have to be
retired in 1909 For the construction of
proper plant such as the city Should have
Mr.. Bryan thought that $4,000 would be
required, and declared that under the con-
stitution this money could only be borrowed
for the purpose of making an Improvement
that will yield revenue. the amount to De
paid in one year. Issue with Mr.. Bryan on
his construction of the constitution was
taken by Messrs. ,SpiEks and Williams, who
with Mr.. Strauss made speeches opposing
the proposition The latter was in favor
Of submitting the matter to the peoplel
On motion of Mr.. Harrison the final Cd h
sideration of the question was postponed
for four weeks, in which period the ordl-
nance and the proposed contract Will De
published for the information of the public
A resolution was introduced calling upon
the city school board for an estimate for
the cost of keeping the schools open for ten
months instead Of nine. 1t was referred TO
the committee on schools. After the trans
action of a few other matters council ad-
journed
General Mention.
Mr. Charles Bendheim, chairman of the
city democratic committee, stated today
that arrangements will be made in the near
future for Public meetings in Alexandria
for a discussion of the issues of the cam
paign before the voters. He thought that
at least two democratic mass meetings will
be held here before the election. Speakers
OF prominence in the state will be invited
to attend. The democratic committee will
meet in the next few days to perfect ar
rangementS.
The funeral of Mrs. Susan Rafferty,, whose
death occurred early yesterday morning
o'clock from St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Mrs. Margaret Cleveland. who died Mon
day night at her home in Washington, was
the daughter of Mr.. Christopher Lyles in
this city and formerly resided here. where
she had many friends. The funeral will
take place from the residence of her father
on Prince street tomorrow afternoon at $3.50
o'clock.
1t is stated that the commissioned officers
OF the Alexandria Light Infantry will resign
in the near future for business reasons The
officers are Capt. Thomas B. Cochran, First
Lieut.. Frank L. Slaymaker and Second
Lieut. PierSoint.