The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-10-22
CITY COUNCIL.
THE GAS QUESTION UP.
Report OF Committee Recommends
Building New Works Authorized
To Bring In Plans and Estimate Of
Matter Viii Have to be Voted

! To Bring In FlanS ana EstlmatS "
Cost Matter VIII Have to be Voted
on by the People Other Matters.
The City Council held its ocular meet
ing for October Thursday night Presi
dent f.. d. Cole and Cnuncilmen Jung,
Watson, Morrison, SOmerville, Dannehl,
Masters, Mills, Rowe, Chancellor and
Bradley were present.
After the minutes were read, Mr. Wat
eon disputed their correctness, on the
ground that no mention WAS made of
the action of the Council in the rejection
| of the protest of the six members from
whom the quo warranto proceedings
had arisen. No action was taken.
Col. Cole. OF Finance, reported bill OF
So for purchase Of dog collars, which,
with several othe, small bills, was or.
dered paid He presented receipt Of
| Treasurer K +. Knox To acting Mayor
W. s. Embrey for fines for the past 30
DAYS amounting TO SIS. lie also pre-
sented receipt for land and property
books. prepared by Commissioner Of
| Revenue \. h. BOweIing, turned over on
Sept 10Th, and asked that Commissioner
coverings salary Of $3.50 be paid,
which was ordered by unanimous vote
A Communication from Mr.. Charles j.
Green was read by Clerk Eastburn, which
claimed that the Council more than ten
years ago promised the Kenmore Shoe
/ Company, under certain conditions, a
rebate OF ten ears' city taxes would be
allowed said company. The communi-
cation stated that these terms had been
complied with aud asked that the money
be returned. At the request OF MIR. Som
erville reference was made TO the records
of the Council of the period named
Said records showed that the Council,
acting under the recommendation OF a
special committee. had recommended the
paying for OF a site Tor the Kenmore
SnOe Co. at a cost OF $3.50, aud said site
had been paid foe by the city, but the
records did not show al additional re-
bate OF taxes. GA this showing the
! Council. on motion Of Mr. S0meryile,
tabled the communication.
MIR. Bradley, of Public Property, asked
for authority to buy in open market, II
! the Judgment OF his committee so die
tated. a lot Of about 10000 feet of tim
Der for the free bridge, instead Of adver-
Using for bids for same. He explained
why his committee desired such authori-
". and the Council unanimously granted
the request.
Mr.. Rowe. of Street Committee, asked
/ for more time 10 report on the improve
ment OF sanitary conditions on upper
Main street.
Mr.. Morrison, OF Light Committee,
presented full and intelligent report az
To the gas works of the city. This re-
port showed that the gas works could
not be made 10 last longer than next
spring. IL stated that with the prepare
tions now being made, the city will have
sufficient gas through the winter; that
! the works are literally worn out; that IT
will be necessary 20 build new works;
as matter OF ecOLomy the location OF
the works be changed nearer the rail
road. where the cost Of transportation
of coal will be minimiZad; that said
works will cost about so, 200; that
when completed they will pay hand
some dividend az 81 - II not 81 per
thousand feet: that gas can be distrib
uted at cost oi 60. per Thousand lret
/ 20 the city, that action should be- taken
at once 10 devise ways and means Tor
building said works, and that the com
mittee be instructed TO get bids, plane
and specifications for the new plant
This report provoked a lengthy discus
sion. in the course of which Mr. Morrison
said. While hs believed ii was greatly TO
the in crest of the city 20 own and oper
ate the gas works. il new works are not
| built be would advocate the sale OF the
present works and franchise 20 ii would
| 20 into the hands of parties who wOull
/ This discussion developed q sentiment
not to part with the gas plant, but TO
make all necessary improvements AMI
| bnild new works 90 motion OF Mr
/ Mills. the committee was instructed TO
obtain bids. plans and specifications a.
10 the cost of new works and report
/ back TO the Council.
The sentiment expressed by the men,
bsrs was that after these bits, plans and
specifications are prepared and presented
to the Council, an election BE- held
next spring and there be submitted to
the qualified voters the question whether
the works be built and operated by the
city or they be sold TO company who
will operate same under restrictions as
TO price OF gas, etc.
MIR. Chancellor OF Water, asked until
Tuecday night to make report OF plans
and specifications for the proposed i'm
provements OF the water works Grant
ed
Mr.. Dannehl introduced an ordinance
10 regard to painting telegraph and tele
nhone poles. sizes Of same, etc, which
will lay over.
Mr.. Watson, OF Health. asked for fur
Their time 10 the matter Of certain sani-
tary improvements.
Mr.. Somerville, OF Schools, reported
the contract made with fredericksburg
College for ten scholarships during the
session Of 1904-05, and that nine OF the
pupils are in attendance and the tenth
will be in attendance in faw deys. On
motion OF Mr.. Bradley, the Finance Com.
mittee was instructed TO pay the College
the sum Of $3.50 for said contract az fol-
lows: $3.50 at once and balance in three
installmeRts OF 500 each at the com.
mencement OF each quarter.
A petition was read by Clerk Eastburn,
signed by a number OF citizens. asking for
improvements to Lee Avenue. 1t was,
on motion of Mr.. Chancellor, referred TO
Street Committee to ascertain cost, &c,
and report back 20 Council
Mr.. Z. H. Randall, of Stafford, applied
for position Of city surveyor. 1t was
passed by until next meeting.
On motion of Mr.. Mills, the Ordinance
Committee was instructed to bring in an
ordinance creating the office OF city en-
gineer and defining his duties, fees, DC.
Mr. Chancellor presented letter from
Mr.. Blair LIE, treasurer National Mary
Washington Memorial Association, ask
ing for renting of q bill OF water rent
amounting to $91.Gj due the city Tor
bath tubs, closet and domestic purposes
in the lodge on the monument grounds
here, which had been running since 1897
1t was granted by the following vote
Ayes-Rowe. Masters, Dannehl, Somer'
vile, Morrison and Young. NOes-Cole
Bradley. Chancellor, Mills and Watson
The Council then adjourned.