The Washington herald., 1907-05-29
COuncilmen Of Alexandria
Charge Extravaganza,
PAY BILL AFTER REPRIMAND
Claim Chief Executive Engaged De-
tectiYes In Murder Case without
liar Case Mny Never Occur Again.
Present Instance Not Precedent.
wAsHINGToN HERALp RrREAu.
Corner Of Prince and Royal Streets.


Alexandria, Va, May 2S-Mayor Paff'
action in contracting bills for the services
Of detectives In connection with the Cur
tin murder case, more than year ago.
was the subject Of a lengthy discussion at
the regular semi-monthly meeting of the
city council this evening. The matter
came up on the report of the committee
on finance and general laws recommend
ing that the bills. aEgregating $37S2S. be
paid. but adding the comment that they
were created without any authority or
precedent" so far as the committee was
informed The hope was also expressed
that similar case might never occur
again. and that the payment I'm this in
stance might not serve as a precedent
Councilman Williams. who defended the
mayor, stated that he had proceeded IN
the matter under the authority Of the
then chairman of the finance committee
Mr. Brill charged that deliberate attack
had been made upon the citys executive
in his absence. which was emphatically
denied by Mr. Burke. Of the committee.
The latter explained that the members Of
the committee believed that the mayor
had acted with the best intentions. but
asserted that the comment in the report
was necessary 10 guard against future
danger i'm that line. Mr.. Evans thought
the mayor had placed himself in an en-
barrassing position. but Mr. Leadbeater
and Mr Burrell believed that he should
be supported i'm his action.
Motions 90 lay the report on the table
ana To concur i'm the action Of the board
of aldermen in adopting the report were
lost. Several members declared that they
would not vote for the report while il
contained what they considered severe
structures on the mayor. The matter VA
left I'm that status.
Firemen Ask Relief.
a petition was received from the regu-
lar employees Of the fire department asking
that man be employed to relieve the
regular men one day ont of eight. and 70
serve as a utility employe IN case of
emergency requiring the use of the re-
serve engine. The paper. signed by the
fire wardens. was referred 10 the finance
committee 4 resolution was adopted re-
questing the Washington. Alexandria and
Mount Vernon Railway to station a
special officer about the depot, corner
Prince and Royal streets The annual
appropriation bill providing for expendi-
lures for the coming fiscal year In thg
sum Of N3l 0C0. as against $l25,p0 for last
year, was passed.
Wants Railroad station.
q
Il resolution. offered by himself calling
upon the committees on finance and gem
eral laws 70 consider and report as "a
what legislation. If any, is necessary 10
have the city represented before the state
corporation commission with "A view of
obtaining satisfactory transportation ser
vices. The resolution directed inquiry as
to the adyisability of compelling the rail-
roads which formerly had stations and
/ depots I'm Alexandria. in convenient
/ places for business uses and passenger
traffic. 10 erect suitable stations and do
| pots in the corporation and 10 run trains
/ into the city for the convenience of busi-
ness men and passengers. Mr. Su0WdeI
declared thai the city had suffered great
/ ly by the removal Of the depots Of the
| railroads 20 a point outside the city and
/ I'm another county He asserted that
/ Alexandra is the only city Of its sizs
/ in the United States without railroad
/ station
/ The bill provides for a general in
crease in the salary of the members OF
/ the police force, passed by the board OF
/ aldermen al the last meeting, was finally
| passed by the common council as was
/ also bin bringing the appropriation
/ for the public schools up 90 the usua
sum.