Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-01-25
CITY Council.


The volume Of business transacted by
the City Council last night was small,
although considerable time was consumed
by discussion and the deliberations of
conference committees.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The first paper considered by the
Board of Aldermen was a resolution APP
propriating So, 900 for two new benches
aud other improvements at the gas works,
The resolution had been passed by the
Common Council at the last meeting aud
laid over by the Aldermen under the
rules.
NJ. w. H. Sweeney said /: Mr.. Presi
dent, / think the appropriation asked
for by the light committee is 3 necessary
one and should be made. Our works
almost reached their full capacity during
our last Christmas holidays which is our
busiest season. Their capacity is 200. 0OC
cubic feet per day, and we put cut 1877,
900 cubic feet on two OF the days at time
above mentioned. This should not be
the case in any we'll regulated gas works,
for the reason that some one ofthe benches
might break down, and then we would
be unable to furnish the necessary
amount of gas to our customers when
they most need it. If we are to make
these additions1o the work we should not
delay about it, as it takes time to build
gas benches; aud again, if we wish to
get the advantage of the market we must
give our contract early. If we succeed in
giving ourcontrac within thenext 30 days
the benches, in all probably will not be
completed and ready for use before the
18th OF September. Now, Mr.. President
| desire TO say something in connection
with a statement made by two gentlemen
in the lower board at their last meeting. !
do this in justice to the old committee on
light of which had the honor to be a
member. / am the only man of that
committee who is now member OF
Council, hence / am the only
one of the committee who has a
chance to defend our acts. | believe
we were 80 cateful as men could well
be in the discharge of our duties and con-
sidered every matter in detail before
we decided TO act. 1t is probable We
may have made some mistakes, but
have not seen any as yet. Weendeayored
to build the works as economically as the
necessities would allow. We anticipated
an addition would have to be made to
the works in 5or years, but we had no
ides it would come so soon and don {
believe anybody could have antici pated
the phenomenal increase that has taken
place in our outputin the last , years. The
chairman OF the lower board said we made
certain promises which have not been full
filed. On this point beg odlier from
the gentlemen. | can not recall that We
ever promised to turn into the city treasury
any specified amount. We, OF course,
expected to increase the profits materi-
ally. The proposition before Us tonight
shows our output has increased beyond
all expectation, and naturally with good
management our profits should he
increased proportionately. The gent c
man says the works cost $27 600 aud
that the old committee had said that
s22, 200 was sufficient. The auditors
Office showsthat the works proper cost
S22. 74l63 and he coal-shed 81, 500
81 total, $25. 24324 This includes all
repair to buildings, made necessary by
the renewal of the works at the time.
This amount was paid out Of the general
fund. belieyet the delay in giving out
the contracts caused by the Goldborough
proposition cost the city of Alexandra
at least 81 800. This accounts in a great
measure for the increased cost of the
plant over what the co nmittees first
estimate was. Mr. Uhler chairman of
the present light committee is quoted
as saying that we did not renew the
Gas Works. confess, Mr.. President, |
do not understand how the gentlemen
can make any such assertion, unless be
refers to the part of the Gas Works out
side of the manufacturing department
[ say, Mr.. Pie.i1ent, notwithstanding the
gentleman's assertion, that we did renew
the entire manufacturing department up
to the gasometer, aud it cannot be denied.
The last few remarks | have made, Nc.
President, are not 10 defence ofthe former
committee as they need no defence, but
desire to Correct erroneous statements
which are sometimes misleading.
Mr.. Ballenger was not prepared to
vote for the resolution if the proposed
were not absolutely neces-
sary. There were but three benches in
operation at the works at present.
President Sweeney intimated that ifl
the proposed improvements were neces-
'ary it would be wise to contract for
hem now; otherwise the work would be
delayed until next year.
After further interchange OF opinion
he action of the Common Council was
in AMI the resolution re-
erred to the committees on light and
nance.
The Common Council returned the
and asked for a committee on
conference, and Messrs. Fisher and w.
1. Sweeney were appointed on the part
4 the Aldermen. When the committee
lad retired, recess hayingin the mean
ime been declared by the Aldermen,
iessrs. Uhler and Spinks, of the con-
srence committee of the lower board,
aformally explained the necessity fJr
action in the matter.
The committee subsequently entered
be chamber and recommended that the
.Idermen reccde from their action and