Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-10-27
City Council.

/ 1Olume VI DusincSs IhushCteu WAS uOt
large.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
No new business was presented In the
Board OF Aldermen, nor was there any
discussion over papers sent 10 from the
Common Council, the latter's action
having been concurred in by unanimous
votes.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Council was called to order last night
By the president at 7:46. All the mem.
bers we're present except Mr.. Evans.
The Joint committee on public prop.
eFty and poor 10 q report recommended
that the sum OF $500 be appropriated for
repairs to the Aims House and Mr..
Marshall asked It's Immediate adoption,
praising highly the present condition OF
the property and Its present keeper, who
he said Was doing good work.
The appropriation was made.
The committee on streets presented
estimates prepared by the city engineer
OF the cost Of certain work; these we're
laid over without action. The estimated
cost of constructing gravel road on vest
franklin street was given at $500.
Three.teuths OF the road is within the
city limit. The cos. of improving north
Columbus street was given at from $6OO
to s6, 800.
The same committee reported favor
ably on the resolution providing for q
crossing at Columbus and Montgomery
streets; this WAS agreed to.
a resolution sppropTistiug 5000 to
fill and pave the gutter on Patrick street
from Wilkes to GibbOD, was passed.
An appropriation of 81 400 was rec
commended by the street committee for
grading and for broken stone roadway
treated with tar on Alfred street between
Prince and Alfred. aud some questions
we're asked Mr.. Lesdbsater by MessrS
Hellmulh aud Spiuks and the matter
was laid over under the rules.
The committee on light recommended
that a gas light be placed at Prince and
Henry streets and the report was
adopted.
Mr.. Marshall spoke In favor Of this
light, calling attention to lis need. The
resolution provided that some RESPONSE
BILE person be provided to care for the
gas lamp. This clause was objected to by
some OF the members, who thought it
should be the duty of the police officers
10 light aad extinguish the lsmps. Ii
was understood that the police commits
siouers would be asked to look into this
matter.
A report was presented providing that
the price of gas be 81. 30 per 1000 feet
with 30 cents discount for prompt pay
ment, with q minimum charge Of 200
feet on monthly bills and 800 feet on
qusrterly bills. (This is q reduction OF
10 cent per Thousand feet and to require
that thuse having meters 10 their houses
shall pAy at least 20 cents month";
Mr.. Monroe opposed this and Dir.
Marshall favored it, saying the cost of
maintaining the meter made some mini
mum charge necessary; he had intended
opposing the measure bat upon an in
vestigation bad decided to supp6rtit.
Mr.. Spipks opposed charging anyone
for something they don't receive. he
spoke st length of what he believed wa
the depreciation of the gas works.
Mr.. Uhler said gsS meter costs $3.50
and there are about 70 gas meters in
houses which are not being used. There
should be some return from these meters
to Offset their cost and depreciation. He
denied that the ges works have depreci.
sted 10 value.
The resolution was then put on Its
passage and WAS passed unanimously.
An appropriation of $3.50 for the con-
struction OF sewer In the alley 10 the
square bounded by Prince, Duke, Pat
rick and Alfred streets was made, The sp-
preparation Is to be available when $3.50
exclusive Of the cost OF house connec.
lions has been deposited with the Oity
Treasurer.
The Joint committee on streets and
finance reported a resolution appropria
ting 81, 000Io pave With broken stone the
north end OF Washington street to the
county line.
Mr.. Lesdbfater, In responce to ques.
lions by Mr.. Spinks and Others, said this
street was largely for tbs benefit Of the
Alexandra merchants, both wholesale
and retail. he further said the reso-
luton provided for a twenty seven foot
roadway from Wytbs to Montgomery |
street and eighteen feet from MOntgom-
cry 10 The corporation line, the COM
mittee hoping that the rest of the streets
would be improved at a later date
Messrs. Spinks ard Marshall stated
that the money could be spent to better
In the heart Of the city. They
made strong arguments against the ex
peudIture OF this amount Of money say
log, hoWevsr, that they wanted to have
90 good rosdWsys 90 the outskirts as
possible under present conditions.
Under the provisions Of the report the
property owners along the street would
De required to pay no part of the ex.
pense of the work. This Messrs. Mar
shall and Spinks held would be an in-
Justice to those living just south who
bad to pay their share Of the recent ion.
provement Of Washington street.
Mr.. SnoWden called Mr.. UhIer to the 9
chair and spoke in opposition to the
measure, saying he believed Oolnm Sus {
was the street that should be Improved
The estimate of coat for improving four J
Ind half squares Of Washington street '
vas entirely too great. He asked why t
pend "a, 900 when 81, zoe will accom- o
,lish the same result. he believed 4
Washington street from King to Q leen t