Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-06-29
City Council.

uC iCpoibo vi lHC Auuitoi,
urer, Clerk of Gas and committee on
light were submitted.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the Aldermen were present, and
the business presented was expedited
and without debate.
Mr.. Marbury introduced an ordinance
compelling the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Railway to place gates at the intersection
of Oronoco and Henry streets by the
18th of next July.
After an interchange of opinion it
was deemed advisable to extend the time
until August lst, and as thus amended
the ordinance was passed by a unani-
nous vote.
Mr.. Clark introduced a resolution pro-
vding for the grading, guttering and
graveling of Payne street from Com
merce to King. He explained the need
of the work now that Commerce street
was being improved from King to West.
The resolution was referred to the COM
mittee on streets.
Mr. Marbury, from the committee
on general laws, submitted report on
communication from the Fire Wardens
in reference to the danger of collision
between the fire apparatus and electric
cars during fires. The report recon-
mended that the communication be re-
committed to the wardens with the sug-
gestion that they formulate rules con-
corning the speed of fire apparatus in
approaching streets on which electric
cars are used. The report was adopted.
The Aldermen concurred in the action
of the Common Council on all papers
sent in save on two resolutions appropri-
ating money for sewers where the
amounts exceeded $1,000. These were
laid over until next meeting.
Later the board entered the chamber
of the Common Council where bids for
furnishing electricity to the city were
opened, and upon their return adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
President Paff called the board to or
der soon alter o'clock.
The finance committee submitted the
annual reports which we're read either
entirely or by summary.
Chairman Bryan in summarizing the
annual report of the finance committee,
spoke as follows:
The yearly business of a municipal
ity is matter which should be not
only the concern of those who make
| its laws and for the present are charg-
ed with its responsibilities, but also
of interest to every citizen certainly
| to every tax payer. The year closed
May 81, 1904, measures up well as COM
pared with many that have preceded
it, and which were considered sue
cesses IN our municipal life. The
Auditors report of the general fund,
which l have presented tonight, gives
the receipts for the year as amounting
to SI3S, 1924. The sale of the Poor
House property was not placed in es-
Inmates last year, and should we not
include that sale in our receipts we
would still have $500 or $4,000
more than we estimated last year,
when we placed 1920, 900 as the figures
for our probable receipts. 1t will not
be necessary to compare estimates
with results. That we received 81, 900
more than we counted on shows that
every item was more, much more, than
we expected. This is true except as
to the gas works transfer, from which
| vyo received 90, 900 less than we hoped
for. However, the transfer of $40, 900,
the payment of every bill or claim
against the gas works on May 81,
1904, an increase of $4,000 in its re-
ceipts as compared with the preceding
year, warrants us in assuming that
sum much in excess of $40, 900 will be
received in the next year. Thereport
of the committee on light and the pub
LEGATION of the city reports in book
form by the City Auditor will explain
all these matters in detail. There is
one subject which will always claim
the attention of our people, and that
is our streets and sewers. The gradual
improvement of the first mentioned
and extension of the last will for the
next four years be based on our an
nual receipts. Eighteen thousand
| five hundred dollars have been set
apart for that purpose this year, and
i'm addition all sums in excess of$1, 800
received from sewer tapping during
the year will be retained and appro-
priated for street work. While re-
| ferring to these matters | will read
some data which have prepared with
the assistance of a city officer regard
| ing sewers and streets.
For purposes of comparison, or
rather information, we might say the
construction of sewers was inaugural
ed, as shown by records, in the fiscal
year lSS6-S7, when the sewer on Prin-
cess, from Royal to Pitt street, was
built at cost Of 50, 766.
In the year 1SS9-90 sewer was built
at Henry and Cameron streets at a
cost of 81 $50.
In 1S91-02 a sewer was builtconnect-
ing at Henry and Duke through sew
eral squares, Patrick, Alfred, Column
bus and Washington streets, to the
sewer at Shoots tan yard at cost of
SO, 100.
Between 1886 and 1892 a sum be-
tween S26, 600 and S2S, 900 was expend-
ed on new streets, or about $50, 900 for
streets and sewers during these years.
During one year, 1928, the sewer on
Gibbon and Royal, from Wilkes to
Franklin, was built at cost Of S., $50
as was the one in the northeastern
section of the city, Princess, Royal
and Pendleton, to the river at cost
of 81, 202, and other street work, cross
ing, ETC., at a cost of $500; total,
S2l, 1872. Indeed, it may be said that
the two last mentioned sewers were
not only the corner stone, but the very
foundation of all that have followed
and into which all empty. There are
many small items of sewer and street
work which could be placed under