Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-01-13
CITY COUNCIL.

been consumed In debate. An
was passed by both boards amending
sections 10 and 16 of the ordinance pro-
viding for fire escapes for buildings
used for public gatherings, and the
owners of such buildings are allowed
thirty days in which to comply with the
law. City Engineer Dunn submitted an
exhaustive report on the condition of the
public halls of the city and the means of
escape in case of fire or panic. The
committee on streets made a voluminous
report, which was accompanied by maps,
concerning the best methods OF draining
the extreme western portion of the city.
Mr.. S. G. Swain was elected Inspector
of Lumber to fill the unexpired term of
James L. Adams, deceased. Mayor
Simpsons message yetoing a resolution
appropriating 81, 800 for the construction
of a sewer on Pendleton street was
sustained by a vote of 8 to 6. The
message was sent to Council November
"a.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the members of the board were
present except President Sweeney. Mr..
Curtin was elected President pro TEN.
Mr.. Marbury submitted a petition
from Mrs. G. E. Bradley for permission
to make a frame addition to her house,
Ala King street. Mr.. Marbury said he
would like the board to act upon the pc
tition without referring it to a commit
tee, as Mrs. Bradley desired to make the
improvement at once. The petition was
granted, providing no objection was
urged by adjoining property-owners.
The Aldermen %concurred without dis
cussion in the action of the Common
Councillor all papers sent in, and after
having participated with the Common
Council in the election of Inspector OF
Lumber at 1915 adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The board was called to order about
s by President Paff and a quorum found
present.
The street committee reported a plan
of sewerage from West street to the vest
line of the city. They favor a trunk
line from West street by King and Pey-
ton street to Hoofs Run at the
Stone bridge, costing about $35, 900.
This line is favored by the committee
but other plans for the sewerinS of the
western portions of the city costing about
$39, 900 were submitted.
Mr.. Leadbeater suggested that the
city engineer be called and requested to
explain these plans. The suggestion was
adopted and Mr.. Dunn presented his
plans and explained them, a long recess
being taken for this purpose.
On r~eopening, the report vas recon-
mitted, its purpose having been no i'm
mediate adoption but to show the re-
lation OF the PendletOn street sewer
vetoed by the Mayor, to a general
sewer system.
The committee o. general laws re-
ported in favor of an ordinance changing
the building regulations so as to require
that all public buildings, Opera House,
school houses, &C., except churches,
whose floors shall be over eight feet
from the surface of the earth, shall be
provided with fire escapes and other APP
| planes to ensure safety in time OF fire
or panic.
The City Engineer reported that the
OLera House in all its aspects is in vio-
lation Of the law. No alterations short
of entire reconstruction of the interior
of the building would make the Opera
House reasonably safe.
The report also declared that some
changes should be made at McBurney's
and Sarepta halls and at the public
school buildings.
Mr.. Snowden thought that while safe
ty should be insured there was no need
of putting the proprietors of halls to
useless expense. 1t might be prudent
to consider the matter carefully.
Mr.. Johnson was anxious to finish
the matter tonight, for the community
would hold the Council responsible if
some action be not taken.
1t was suggested that the bill should
include all halls having gatherings of
more than 20 persons.
Mr.. McCuen suggested that the law
apply to places of amusement, only
when admission is charged. The lodge
halls were in fact in many cases places
Of worship like churches.
Nj. Brill moved to make the height
Is instead of s feet. 1t was agreed that
the ordinance should include halls where
fifty persons assemble. No other of
the amendments was agreed to and the
ordinance was passed, yeas II, nays /.
The Fire Wardens reported asking
that the pay of the engineers be increased
from s62. so to 5000 per month, and
the matter was referred.
MI. VIM. @. H. Wildt through Mr..
Brill declined the Office of Keeper of the
Town Clock and the subject was re-
ferred to the committee on general laws.
Mr.. Wildt objects to the law governing the
clock.
Health Officer German asked an APP
preparation for the erection of a hospital
for contagious diseases and the subject
was referred, as was a communication
from the Cooperative Charities asking
an appropriation to pay the cost of the
support of quarantined cases.
Bills of Mr.. Peck and others were re-
ferred to the finance committee.
Secretary Peyton of the Board of
Health explained the needs of the board
and announced that no danger of any
serious epidemic was to be feared.
Mr.. McCuen thought that guards
should be provided at every ~1uarantined