Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-06-26
City Council.

on light we're submitted, and about au
average volume of routine business
was transacted.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the Aldermen were present, and
the business which came before the
board was transacted without debate.
Mr.. Sweeney Of the finance committee
in presenting the report of the Auditor
and the City Treasurer said:
The probable or estimated receipts
| for the fiscal year ended May 81, 1907,
were placed at 1927, 900, when the APP
preparation bill was reported by the
finance committee in May 1906. The
Auditors report which present tonight
places receipts at $l49, 500. While |
have no intention OF entering into lengthy
explanations, yet it is not inappropriate
on my part TO briefly explain cur fiscal
condition. An excess in receipts over
estimates of $22, 500 is not an evidence
that turdensome tax levy was made
upon property real or personal, any more
than an excess of fl7, 900 in expendi-
lures, beyond the estimated expenses for
the year, indicates a waste of our public
funds. 1t was anticipated that from
taxes, licenses, police court fines and
the Gas Works 1920, 500 would be real.
lied, a moderate estimate when it is
shown that 1929, $50 has been paid into
the city treasury from these four sources.
The sale of the electric light plant and
franchise for the sum OF IS, 500 and the
voluntary payment OF paving bills for
street improvement bills of Royal,
Fairfax, Cameron, and Princess streets
to the amount ot$5, 495, will inform those
sufficiently interested just how the excess
OF $22, 500 in receipts was obtained. II
members of Council trace the city re-
ports they will see the various sppro-
priations for the year 1906-1907
amounted to 1925, 900, and the Auditors
repor. tonight shows we have expended
$I41, 1882 or $l6,Sl9.82 more than
the appropriation bill called for. A few
items will suffice to explain this. Re-
building engine for the Columbia Fire
Company cost SO, 500; an additional ap-
preparation for the public schools, 3d.
900; stone crusher, steam roller, and
b lilding houses for sam on Jail lot 81, 900;
snd the purchase of note of the City
School Board for the sum of So, 200;
Firemen's Association, $500; the Alex
andris Light Infantry, 5000; Alexandria
Gas Works, $3.50; Associated Charities,
$3.50. Tota! SIC, 600. This shows how
the $l6S, Is was expended and furnishes
ample proof that those in position to
exert any influence in checking or max
ing proper efforts to prevent any waste
of the peoples money were not remiss
in their duties, or indifferent as to re-
suits. The general fund receipts are in
excess Of those of any previous year. |
have already said, but the statement will
bear repetition. "A burdensome tax levy
was not laid upon property real or per-
sonal. This proposition can be, and is,
illustrated by comparing me accounts
of 1S76.77. For that year the Tax rate
was placed at g. 20 per hundred with
discount of 10 per cent. for prompt pay
ment, or about 50 90 net. The collectors
reported collections amounting to $685.
600. That year only 81, 200 was ap-
propriated for the use of the public
schools; 81, 916 for cleaning streets, and
81, 900 for every character Of street work.
1t required S66, 500 to pay interest on
debt and pay loans. We will only have
to pay out $3l, 500 for interest on debt
the coming year, or less than half as
much IS in the years mentioned. There
will be, if plans as to street work do not
miscarry, fully $40, 900 or $45, 900 spent
this year on streets and sewers. Compare
this with the mere pittance expended
on streets 30 years ago. The tax rate Of
today is thirty cents less than the rate OF
those years; gas is furnished at ST. so
less per /, 900 cubic feet, our streets are
lighted by electricity, our citizens are
furnished with electricity for every pur-
pose; no temporary loans for many years,
All 60 to show that prudence and
proper economy in no way antagOnize
conservative progress"
Mr.. Sweeney presented petition of
Mr.. @. J. w. Summers for permission to
enlarge his frame store at the southwest
corner of Duke and Alfred streets,
metal roof to be used on the structure.
The permission was granted.
Mr.. Summers introduced resolution
looking to the improvement of Henry
street from Wolfe to Gibbon, which WAS
referred to the committee on streets.
The report of the committee on streets
recommending an appropriation of ST.
200 for the improvement of Alfred street
from Prince to Duke was laid over
An adverse report of the committee on
public property on an ordinance grant
ing the use of an alley 10 the rear of the
Reliance engine house to the Schiller
Beef Company was received from The
Common Council.
Mr.. Hill was not 10 favor of concur
ring in the action of the lower board,
aud he requested the board to grant Mr..
Charles Bendheim, counsel for the
Schiller Beef Company, permission to
make an explanation to The board. The
permission was granted. when Mr.. Bend
helm explained the object of the petit
TONERS.
The attention of Mr. Bendheim was
called to The fact that the Common Coun-
Gil had passed resolution appropriatiDg
$25 for the removal of the shed east OF
the engine house, which would enable
the Schiller Beef Company to use the
alley. Mr. Bendheim said the provisions
of the resolution would be satisfactory to
his clients.