The Washington herald., 1906-10-24
Alexandria Council Offers
$500 for Murderer.
COUNCILMAN SCORES POLICE
Says They Are IncomPetent-Force
TO Be ReOFganized-SOuth Rail-
holds. "Jim Crow Law-Murdered
Man Is Buried-AIexandria News.

Of the negro who murdered Charles T.
Smith near the old fair grounds last
was voted by the city council
This evening The matter was called 10
the attention Of council by q communica-
ton from Mayor Fan. in which the meas
ure was advised and in which it was
suggested that provision be made for
the relief Of the widow and children o.
the murdered maE. A resolution for the
Of $50 for the latter pus-
pose was referred to the committee on
finance.
The action or council was the principal
development Of the day tn connection
with the effort to bring the fugitive 10
justice. Although. as was the case yes
terday many rumors supposed TO contain
clews Of the where, IT'S Of the negro
reached police headquarters throughout
the day, all proved 90 be groundlcss.
Considerable interest attached 10 mes
sage from the authorities at Rockville.
Md, that man answering to the de-
scripunn OF William Johnson. the slayer
Of Smith. was under arrest there. CHIEF
Goods and Officer Garvey went at once
10 Rockville and examined the suspect.
"A--h- NftAs W tV EFk IT EffNA view o.
the face OF Johnson IN attempting 10
arrest him, was convinced that the pris-
Oner was not the man wanted here.
Criticises Police.
When the mayors communication was
read in the common council. Mr.. Evans
announced that he would prepare a res
olution covering the suggestion TO offer
a reward. This he presented after the
routine business Of the evening had been
disposed Of While waiting for the action
or the board Of aldermen in the matter.
Ar. Evans took occasion TO arrafgn the
police force Of the city.
1T seems he declared 'that IL is
perfectly useless 10 expect anything from
the Alexandria police force The grand
jury condemned the entire orga nization.
saying that IL was utterly useless and
might as well be abandoned.
Continuing, be said that there had been
murders in this city in a comparatively
short space Of time. and that the only ac-
cused man caught was the one who gave
himself up.
The only WAY to get this criminal
the speaker asserted. lis 90 offer a suit
able reward, and outside people VIII SCI
cure him for u.s."
Mr. Spinks took exception 10 the strlc-
lures Of Mr.. Evans and made a vigor-
Gus defense OF the police. He declared
that the men had worked with indie
zeal and energy in their effort
20 trace the fugitive. and asserted that
the failure 10 ind him up TO The pres
ent was not the fault Of the police de-
partment
Agrees on $500 Reward.
The board of aldermen. af.-r The adop-
tion by the common council Of Mr.. Evans
resolution. sent in notification that f
had adopted q resolution FOR the appro-
priation OF SO for that purpose. a
committee from the two boards
met, and the sum OF $3.50 was finally
agreed upon. whereupon final action was
taken by the two bodies appropriat.ng
that amount
VIII ReOrganiEe Force
Comon council coucurrcd in the action
OF tho upper board iu referring to The
committee on finance. police. and gem
eral laws. an ordinance providing for d
change Of the police force SO as 20 make
it consist Of a chief. two Iieutenants. and
twenty-three privates. II was stipulated
that the salary Of the chief bo $50: the
salary of the licutcnants $40. anc that
Of the privstes 500
Several matters concerning street i'm
provomeuts engaged the attention of
council.
Some discussion followed the reading
Of report from the committee on
streets recommending that Sl2o) be APP
propriated 20 macadamize the sq- are on
Patrick street. between Duke and Prince
streets The report was finally adopted
without a dissenting vote.
Council also adopted "a report from the
committee on streets recommending an
Of $500 for paving Prince
street. between Union street ana the
east side Of the Strand and a report
recommending an appropriation Of 10
for the paving Of the square on Came
ron street from Lee to Union street. and
St Asaph street.
The committee on streets also reported
favorabjy on a resolution TO apPSopi4te
q. 2o0 90 macadamize the roadway on Al
fred street. between Queen and Princess
streets, ana the report was adopted. L
was stipulated that the roadway is 10
be made thirty feet and that the money
is to become available when the prop-
erty owners have set the curb on de
east side Of the street
Considerable discussion was 0CCaSioned
by the divided report Of the street COM
mittee on the petition OF j. F. Rogers
for permission 70 erect bay window at
premises eli King street The majority
report was adverse to the petition. but
a minority report was in its favor. It
was explained that the application was
for the construction of a window which
would reach over the building line of the
street.
The street committee. reporting on
resolution 60 advance the pay of street
laborers from $l.25 to Sl.50 per day. recon-
mended that the workmen be paid T.
cents per hour for eight hours. and the
report was adopted
No More street Lights,
An adverse report was received from
the committee on light on resolution
to supply additional street electric lights
on certain corners. II was stated that
the proposed action is inexpedient at this
time.
\ communication from CITY Engineer
E. G. Dunn was received asking for the
passage Of an ordnance granting the
city engineer and the committee on
streets authority TO proceed with repair
work o. sections of streets occupied by
railroad tracks. the expense TO be paid
by the companies upon due notice Il
was referred to the committee on streets
and general laws.
y communication from City Engineer
beaten directing the committee on gen
eral laws and the corporation counsel to
report to council as to the ACCESSIBILITY Of
calling upon TIE state corporation COM
mission to inquire into the right Of the
railroad lines entering Alexandria To re-
move the freight and passenger station
TO point a considerable distance outside
the city limits. Mr. Lcadheater stated
the belief that the companies could not.
under their charter, thus abandon Il