Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-02-28
City Council.

The City Council acted upon several
measures of pubic interest last night, as
well as upon a number of papers Of a
routine nature.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the Aldermen were present. and
after the minutes Of the preceding meet
ing had been read,
Mr.. Simpson called the attention of
the board to an act which had been pass
ed By the House of Delegates Of Vir-
ginia amending the present law provid-
ing for the appointment by Judges Of
courts Of police justices. There are two
important amendments to the old law,
one empowering judges OF corporation
or hastings courts to appoint police
justices at their discretion, or whenever
they may think such a course advisable,
Notwithstanding the fact that the charters
OF certain cities provided that the mayors
of the same shall presidein police courts.
The other amendment places the salary
of police justices at 1920 year in cities
having a population Of 10000 and not
more than Is, 600; over Is, 600 the salary
is fixed at 81 600. The old law fixed
the salary at $3.50 in cities having not
less than 5000 nor more than 10000.
These salaries, the speaker said, were paid
out of city treasures and there was no
good reason to cause Alexandria to ex-
pend $3.50 in this direction. He did
not think the act amending the Law
originated in this part of the State, how
ever; he thought it came from Ports
mouth, or some place in that vicinity.
He submitted a resolution requesting
Senator Machen and Delegate Cation to
endeayor to have the act defeated.
Mr.. Hill dill not hnk 81, 900 a year
too much for the service rendered, but
thought the position could be abolished
altogether He supposed 1t was too late
now for Council TO take action, as no
bills could be introduced at present in
the legislature.
The resolution was ioaIly passed by a
unanimous vote
Mr.. Ballenger asked tor information
concerning a resolution he introduced
some time ago appropriating $500 to
secure the services of an electrical engi-
neer to report plan whereby the city
could furnish electricity TO the people Of
the city II had been referred to the COM
mitlee on light, bu: no report had been
made upon it,
Mr.. W. II. Sweeney said the mem
bers of TIE committee had talked over
the matter, but they had not as yet been
called together in order that it might he
formally considered 1t would, how
ever, be taken up.
The ordinance providing certain regu-
lations for the display of go DIS on King
street and eliminating sign. awning aud
other posts on that street aud limiting
the space to be occupied by swinging
signs to three feet, was received from
the Common Council.
Mr.. Hill said he was in favor of al
loving six feet instead OF three and gave
his reasons therefor.
Mr.. Burke called attention to the fact
that people had been injured by swing
ing signs which had been blown doSn
during storms, the reason assigned being
that they extended too far across tine
pavement.
Mr.. w. II. Sweeney suggested that
the ordinance be allowed to lie over un-
I'll next meeting.
President geeney thought this wouId
be the proper course, and the membl rs
would then have time to consider the
matter.
Mr.. Simpson favored the ordinance
and showed Why present conditions were
unsatisfactory. The projection of swing
ing signs halt way across the pavements
increased the danger fro'l the same not
only during high winds. but from i'm
perfect construction or ordinary wear
and tear.
President Sweeney said signs extend
ing but three feet would be unsightly.
Mr.. SimpsoD-"Six feet would ex-
tend over halt the pavement"
Mr.. Ballenger called attention to the
fact that the Common Council had erased
certain words which he believed should
have been retained in The ordinance.
lie referred to the clause fOrbiddiug the
placing Of fish and chickens on pave
ments He gave notice that he would
move that these words be replaced when
the ordinance came up in the Aldermen.
On motion of Mr.. Hill the ordinance
was laid over.
A number Of measures providing
for street improvements coming in from
the lower board,
Mr.. BalIenger asked where the money
WAS to come from to delray the cost. he
said when street improvements were to be
made the cost was never considered, but
there seemed to be no money available
for electricity He hoped the commit
toas ,yhita davfaino ,vava and means far