The Washington herald., 1909-01-13
WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU.
Bel Teiephons 90-l
a6 King Strret
@ King Street

WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU.
+ Bel TslsphOns sO-l
500 King Street
Alexandra, Va, Jan 12-Councilman
Frank c Spinks took occasion at meet
Ing Of the city council tonight to throw
some hot shot into the Alexandria Elec-
tric Light Company, which made the
members Of that body, so 70 speak, "sit
up and take notice"
His first action was 20 offer a resoIu-
ton that the company be given ninety
days in which 70 i've Up 10 its contract
with the city that five members, three
from council and two from the board OF
aldermen, be appointed to investigate the
existing oondiuons. and that the mayor
serve them with q notice Of same. The
resolution was, after a protracted debate,
referred to the light and general laws
committee
Mr.. Spinks asserted that the company
was not living uD TO its contract with
the city, and that he was one OF the
few who opposed the sale of the fran
chise. 7 think We knew from the begin
ming lnat this company has been trying
70 deal dishonesty with the city" said
he. He said he had heard many com
plants regarding the lights furnished,
and believed that every portion CT their
contract had been violated.
Mr. Spinks declared that Mr.. Matthews.
former treasurer OF the State Of Penn
sylvania. bought the plant. Every in
telligent man knows who Matthews was"
he said Continuing he said: These
people came here for the purpose Of rob
bing and stealing, and am satisfied that
the plant cost about 5000, and they
hoated Si50000 on f."
Mr. Spinks said Roderick. formerly sup
erintendent OF the company. had told him
that Matthews employed him. and ne added
that Matthews was indicted and tried for
stealing.
Councilman UhleT asserted that much
has been said IN regard 70 the matter.
considerable OF which was not altogether
true. The company, he said, assumed
control February Il, 1877. and il wasn't
thirty days afterward when they dis
covered errors. Twenty per cent. or one
fifth, he declared. mad been deducted from
the company for bad service and finally
they came 10 terms He said the city
employed a light expert in the matter.
Mr. Uhler also said the city now owes
the company $SSS which II refused TO pay
he did rot think the company came mere
20 rob, but that on the other hand. the
city council had gotten the worth of its
money.
The speaker then read a paper showing
the city has two more lights than under
the old system, while the city gsts $3.50
more revenue than formerly In con
0frrcf0~1 D. cos ~
wel satisfied He believed there were
q Few honest men left.
The Finance and General Laws CON-
mittee reported favorably on a bill Of
Health Officer E A. German and recon-
menoed that he be paid $545 for a bin
presented for services given during q
sHlau pox epidemic. amounting 20 $500.
Following the passage OF the biH. DR..
German was given the privilege Of the
floor He explained that the action OF
the council July Il in refusing TO paw any
further bills placed him in an euabarrass-
ing position. and that the reason he failed
20 heed il was that the city ordinance
or the subject had never been recalled.
Continuing Dr. German declared that an
other case OF small pox had broken out
to-day in a negro family and he had
QuaTantined them He asked what action.
il any, ne must take in The matter. After
a lengthy debate he was instructed 10
continue until the matter Is finally dis
posed Of by the committee having II in
charge.
The city school board asked that they
be given Slo,ooo TO assist in paying for
the new school, the money 10 be returned
when the money Is received from the sale
Of Peabody school building It was re-
feTred 10 the finance committee
4 resolution from the FIRE Wardens. gov
eruing the responding TO FIRE alarms be-
yond the corporate limits. was referred
10 the general laws committee An
other resolution from the board OF fire
wardens asking for $50 for the purchase
or horses was referred TO the general
laws committee
The Alexandra Free kindergarten
asked for an appropriation Of $500 for its
work The matter was referred 10 the
finance committee
A petition. signed by fifteen residents.
asking for an electric light at the inter-
section OF Prince and Henry streets, was
referred TO the light committee, as was
also petition for A light at Alfred and
streets.
Councilman r. D. Brumback offered a
resolution TO put signs at the various
street corners throughout the city. II
was referred TO the street and finance
committee.
The committee on light recommended
that the Alexandra Light Infantry be
given gas to the value OF 800 PEI. year
free Of cost at Armory Hall. and that the
company pay all in excess Of that
amount. The report was adopted
The light committee reported adversely
for gas lamp at Duke and Patrick
streets.
Councilman Evans asked that the s25
Appropriated some time ago for cleaning
up Penny Hill Cemetery be used as d.
rected.
In the police court this morning T. c. /
ROderick. charged with embezzllng Sg742 70
belonging to the Alexandria Electric
Light Company. Of which he was former
" superintendent, through his attorney. !
s P Fisher. waived preliminary hear
ing and his case was referred TO the
grand jury His bond was fixed at 81. 800. |
Roderick has not yet furnished surety /
His case viii probably be heard az the /
term OF the Corporation Court /
RodeTick expects TO furnish bond to-mor- |
row
H. j. Makiver, secretary and treasurer |
Of the company. Of Media, Pa, said that |
he had an expert going over the com /
pany's books and he could not tell the |
total shortage until the accountant com |
Dletss his labors.
At O'Clock this afternoon a jury. with |
John " May as foreman. gave q verdict /
FOR 800 for the plaintiff in the case of |
Sarah Coke Boyer against the Adams /
Express Company. The object Of the /
suit was TO recover damages IN the sum /
Of s2,o0o for damages alleged to have 1
been done 70 a cast Of Washington while 4
N transit
The Citizens, Naffo,a1 I9o,t, =. I