Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-03-28
City Council.

power was introduced aud referred. The
other business transacted was, in a
measure, OF routine nature.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Mr.. Simpson introduced resolution
(which will be found in the official pro-
ceedings) calling upon the City Engineer
to survey certain property belonging to
the city in tho northeastern section of
the city. The paper was appropriately
referred.
Mr.. Simpson also made few remarks
in justification of the resolution recently
passed by both boards OF Council calling
upon Senator Machen and Delegate Ca
ton to oppose an act introduced at the
last session of Legislature increasing the
pay of police justices and providing for
their appointment by judges of courts
under certain conditions.
The Aldermen laid over, under the
rules, certain papers which came in from
the lower board, and cOncurred by unan-
imous votes ia the action of the Common
Council upon the others.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The board came to order shortly be-
fore o'clock.
The finance committee, through Mr..
Bryan, reported the the following adj
dtional appropriations 20 supply def
ciencies For cleaning streets, 81, 600;
public property. 5000; fire department,
$500; chain gang, $500; streets and
sewers, 81, 900; total, 50, 900
The report was agreed to.
The application of Martin Lawler for
release from penalty &c, on overdue
taxes upon real estate, while in htiga-
ton, was granted on favorable report
of the finance committee.
The annual tax bill fixing the tax on
property at $l9O on the hundred dol
lars aud 80 cents on persons was reported,
unchanged from last year by the finance
committee. The clause exempling manu-
featuring machinery from taxation was
left in the bill.
Mr.. Uhler said that the exemption OF
manufacturing machinery was unconsti-
tulional and he moved to strike out the
provision.
Mr.. Bryan agreed, but said the com
miliee left the ordinance as they found
it.
Mr.. Leadbeater asked if it would not
be better to make the tax $l.7l instead
OF $l.90 with ten per cent. discount,
and to impose a penalty if the bills were
not paid promptly.
The chair said that these matters had
been considered by other finance commit
tees who believed that discount would
!ring money more promptly than the
imposition of penalty for delinquents.
He saw no reason for striking out the
exemption of manufacturing machinery.
No one would call on the courts in the
matter and the assessors and tax cOlloc-
tors would know that the City Council
was behind them in making the exemp-
ton.
Mr.. Uhler withdrew his amendment
and the ordinance was unanimously
agreed to.
An appropriation of 81, 500 for i'm
proyements and repairs to the gas works
was made.
The light committee reported adversely
upon the application of the Liberty
Baptist Church for an arc-light at the
corner OF Alfred and Montgomery streets,
and favorably on a similar application
OF the Mutual Ice Company for a light
at the corner OF Union and Cameron
streets.
Mr.. UhIer explained that in the FIRST
case wire for three blocks would be needed
but in the other, as the proposed light
was close to the light works, the cur
rent for it would not unduly tax the
electric resources.
The report was agreed to.
Mr.. G. +. Thompson, through Mr.
Risheill, sent in proposal for a NUM-
cipal electric works. He suggests
an immediate appropriation Of $40, 900,
and that annual appropriations would
enable the city to establish municipal
plant and secure all the profits. The
matter was referred.
Mr.. Bryan reintroduced the old ordi-
nance for advertising for bids for an
electric light plant, and asked that it be
referred.
Mr.. Spinks said the Corporation At
torney was of the opinion that the
ordinance was unconstitutional. He
hoped that that official would be con-
suited before any reference of the
ordinance was made.
The ordinance was referred to the
finance and light committees.
Mr.. A. Sydney Mankin asked leave
to erect q two story frame residence and
store at the northwest corner of Lee and
Wolf sheets, which was granted.
An application of the Alexandria
kindergarten for 5000 was referred to
the finance committee.
Mr.. Leadbealer introduced a resou-
ton asking the C mmit!ee on police to
make inquiries as TO the salaries paid the
police in other cities Of Virginia with
about the same population as Alexandra.
Mr.. Leadbeater said that many citizens
thought that the Alexandria policemen
were overpaid tor what they do. but un-
derpaid for what they ought TO do. He
believed that more pay would produce
better .ervice if not better men. Ii was
known that the laws were violated @iih-
in a stones throw Of police head
quarters and 10 notice taken. The law
in relation to throwing ashes in the
streets had not been enforced, although
the attention of the police had been
caIlad IN II Reforua hezaid VIVA need