Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-07-11
City Council.

time considerable business was trans
acted, the most important OF which was
the opening of bids for the electric light
franchise. A joint session was held
when this was done.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
No new business was presented in the
the board.
When the petitions of the Reliance
and Columbia Fire Companies and the
Relief Hook aud Ladder Company for
an appropriation of 500 each to detray
their expenses in visiting Richmond
in August was received from the lower
board,
Mr.. Simpson asked if the appropria-
tons were not in excess of those OF previ-
Gus years.
Mr.. W. H. Sweeney said he was I'M
able TO answer the question
MIR. Baleuger said the companies
had received 5000 on other occasions.
Mr.. Hill ssid $3.50 had been appro-
priated for each of the two of the steam
companies heretofore.
Mr. Simpson replied that, according
to his recoll ectiou, the companies had
received $50 each when they attended
the State Firemen's Association IN Har-
risonburg.
Mr. BalleDger said that $3.50 had been
appropriated in 1904 when the association
met in Alexandria. H1a0
Mr.. Simpson replied that was another
thing. The appropriation referred to
was for the purpose of aiding in enter
tanning the visitors.
The action of the Common Council in
granting the petitions were finally concur
red in.
When the report OF the committee on
general laws aud streets requesting the
Corporation Attorney to defend the city
In the Injunction proceedings instituted
by the Washington Southern Railway
Company in reference to the railway
track on Henry street WAS read,
Mr.. w. H. Sweeney expressed appre-
hensiOn that the city was about to enter
into expensive litigation.
Mr.. Simpson said that self-respect
should animate The city to such an ex-
tent as to cause it to follow up the case.
The Mayor had stopped the company
IRON placing the "frog" at Cameron
and Henry streets, after the latter street
had BEEN abandoned, aud the City Coun-
ell had affirmed his action. 1t was now
right and proper to direct the Corpora
ton Attorney to move dissolution of
lhe Injunction obtained by the company.
Council cOull not afford to let the mat
Ter go by default; it would be against its
dignity. Besides The action taken had
been under the advice of the Corpora
ion Attorney.
Mr.. w. II. Sweeney had voted for
ne ordinance ordering the company to
remove its rails from Henry street be
cluse it had been the wish of the pro.
perty-owners on that street. He wanted
to know how much they we're willing to
pay toward opposing the railroad COM
pany.
Mr. Ballsnger said the properly
owners at a meeting of the committees
had expressed determination to fight
the company, even as far as the Supreme
Court of the United States. He had,
however, recently heard that they had
cooled down somewhat and now regard
ed it as the city's fight solely.
Mr.. Simpson replied tina! it was the
city's fight, aud that it was the duty OF
the city to defend citizens against cor
porations or individuals in such cases.
The Mayor had acted in the matter 10
accordance with the opinion of the Cor
poration Attorney and had been sus-
tanned by toe City Council Must the
latter now back downs
Mr.. Ballenger sapitulated the case
The Mayor, he said, had acted at the
instance of citizens. and now that the
city had prepared grounds for a legal
battle the people on Henry street were
about to stand aside and as spectators
look upon the contest.
Mr.. Simpson said it was now up to
Council to act.
Mr.. Burke thought the city was abOu'
to be plunged into expensive litigation
10 the matter. He moved to lay the re-
port oyer.
Mr.. Marbury said he was the only
member Of the five committeeman pres
ent at the meeting who voted against tn
report, and he would vote against it
adoption now.
Mr.. Curtin announced that be was one
of the four members of the committee
who voted for it. In speaking of the
question before the board he announced
himself heartily in accord with the views
expressed by Mr.. Simpson.
Mr.. Hill said he voted for the ordi-
nance providing for the removal of the
track. but he realized that the litigation
would be a losing game for the city.
The latter would spend between 50, 900
and So, 900 aud then lose.
Mr.. Simpson said M. Hill and the
Corporation Attorney were not of the
same opinion, although the former was
generally correct in his deductions. The
speaker did not see how the injunction
proceedings could cost over $75 or 800.
He did not regardit asa losing game, nor
did the Corporation Attorney.
After some further interchange OF
opinion the report was laid over.
An ordinance providing for sdvertis-
ing for bids for the franchise for the u e
of Cameron street west OF Payne street
for electric railway purposes was received
from the Common Council.
Mr.. Burke said that 1t should be stip-
ulated in the franchise that the company
run a car at regular hours from the foot
OF King to the new union depot.
Mr.. Simpson agreed with Mr.. Burke
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