The Washington herald., 1907-10-09
WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU.

regular meeting this evening following
the summer recess, the city council au-
thOrized the payment of a bin of long
standing, contracted by Mayor Paff in
the employment of detectives to work
out the Curtin murder mystery. The
amount was S37S2S in the report recon-
mending payment, the joint committee on
finance and general laws used pointed
language in crticising the action Of the
mayor in mourning the expense. II was
declared that the procedure was without
any authority or precedent" and the
hope was expressed that such an incident
might never occur again.
In explaining why the bin created in
an Irregular manner was indorsed, il
was stated in the report that the COM
mittee wished to support the ''well-meant
actions OF the executive" The assertion
was added, however, that the recommen-
dation was not influenced IN the slightest
degree by any apprehension that the city
might be held legally responsible for the
amount.
Though the report was adopted as it
came from the joint committee, the
mayor was not without champions 10 de-
fend his course and to assert that he had
acted entirely within his authority in the
matter. Several COUnCilmen spoke in be-
half of the mayor, and Mr.. Williams as
serted that the Citys executive was absO-
lutely confident of the legal correctness
of his position, but that he had expressed
himself as willing 10 accept Ccusure
rather than subject the city % q law suit
in which he felt sure II would lose.
Williams Defends Mayor.
Mr.. Williams called the attention of
the council to what he termed "a striking
parallel between the circumstances in
which the mayor acted and those attend
ing the payment of bills contracted re-
Gently by the fire companies ou the quasi
assurance. OF the finance committee that
the amount would De Forthcoming when
the council met after the summer inter
mission. The items De referred to were
so each for the Columbia and Reliance
companies and $50 for the Relief Com
pany for expenses on the trip 10 attend
the hremen's convention in Newport
News. The amounts We're appropriated
at this evenings session.
Council adopted the recommendation Of
the committee on light, that the AIexan-
dria Light Infantry be released from the
payment of a gas bin of 500. A petition
asking for the repair Of the sidewalk on
Washington street, between Wythe and
Montgomery streets. was referred to the
committee on streets.
The chairman OF the committee on lght
transmitted TO council a proposition from
9. Q. Bailey to purchase the ammonia
produced at the city gas works, and now
..H1
was $3.50 per annum fer at least three
years. a resolution granting the petition
was passed.
New Are Lights Proposed.
After considerable discussion. a com
munication from the Alexandria Electric
Company, proposing to install arc lamps
of 10 capacity. 10 take the place of the
present ones of sc ampere measure, was
recOmmitted 20 the committee on light.
A communication from the city school
board inclosing a resolution, offered by
Mr Yates, calling upon the city council
TO consult with the finance committee Of
the school board. with q view Of erecting
a new school building for girls, was re-
ferred to the committee on schools and
finance, as was also a petition from the
ton OF $3.50. A resolution 90 appropriate
5000 to repair the aImshouse was re-
ferred TO the committee on poor and
finance.
President Snowden offered n resolution,
which was unanimously adopted. appro-
priating S161 to assist in defraying the ex-
penses Of night school for boys The
sum Of 800 was appropriated for the in
H.
Just before adjournment Councilman
Evans introduced a resolution, which was
referred, calling upon the council to in
quire into the validity of the creation Of
the Office of police justice for this city.
The funeral Of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth
Brown, widow of Dr. Bedford Brown.
took place this afternoon. at 1 O'Clock
from the residence Of her son-in-law. A.
J. Uhler, at Cameron and Washington
streets. and was attended by a large num-
ber of friends and relatives The services
were conducted by Rev. William J. Nor
ton, rector of Christ Church Grandsons
of Mrs Brown acted as pallbearers. The
burial was in Rock Creek Cemetery,
Washington.
The funeral of Mrs. Virginia c. Semmes.
whose death occurred in Richmond Sun
day night, took place this afternoon at 8
O'Clock from Christ Episcopal Church.
Rev. P. p. Phillips, of St. Paul's Episco-
pal Church, conducted the service. The
pallbCarers were Hubert SnoWden. G.
William Ramsay, Robert T. Knox. John
LeadbeateT j. G.. Cox. and Charles
Waller. The burial took place in Christ
Church Cemetery.
The Mems League of the First Baptist
Church has resumed active operations.
after the summer intermission. The fol-
lowing officers have been elected for the
ensuing term: President. James r. Mans
field; vice president Walter p. Kerrick:
secretary, Floyd G. Saunders: treasurer
Fred Cornell; chairman Of the music
committee, J. T. Preston. Arrangements
for public meetings viii be made by
special committee.
Mrs. Ellen Nugent. who for many years
conducted a grocery store on South Pitt
street, died this evening after a brief i'll
ness at her home, Pitt and Gibbon
streets. She recently suffered a stroke
OF paralysis. Mrs Nugent was about
seventy years old. Three sons survive
her. Arrangements for the funeral Will
be made later.