Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-05-15
City Council.


viding for the construction of railroad
track from the Henry street trsck into
the square bounded by Henry, Fsyette,
Princess aud 0rouoco streets. Al ordi-
nance providing for spur track into
the square bounded by Henry, Fayette,
Pendleion and Wythe streets WAS passed
By the Oomtnon Council, bot laid over
by the b ard OF Aldermen. The liceDse
Law as adopted by the Board of Alder
man last Tuesday night was adopted
by the Common Council, bot the law
imposing rates on persons, property,
&C., vas laid over by the lover board.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Mr.. Sseeney introduced resolution
expressing the thanks OF the City OOun-
Gil to the Washington ire and police de-
psrlmenls for the prompt response made
to appeals for assistance from Alexsu-
dris last Wednesday during the progress
of the FIRE at w. A. Smoot & Cos mill.
The resolution was adopted by unaDi-
mous vote.
The resol ution will be found in full
10 the Official proceedings.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Council was called to order at 8:15
With sll members present except Messrs.
Brill, Brumbsck and Evans.
The Chair stated the meeting was to
consider an ordinance permitting the
laying Of temporary side track into the
square bounded by Henry, Fayette,
Olonoco and Princess streets, for the
use of w. A. Smoot & Co. Incorporated,
this sidetrack being urgently necessary
on account of the very great misfortune
by FIRE that had recently befallen this
firm. He stated that the meeting
could consider such other business
of importance as might come before 1t,
as no restriction had been placed in the
call.
The ordinance permitting the side
track was read and after question by
Mr.. Hsrrison about the location and, an
explanation by the chair and Mr.
Leadbester was passed unanimously.
A petition for permission to reshingle
the roof of No. 4OS Duke street was
granted.
An ordinance authorizing side track
on Henry street between Wythe and
Pendleton streets for the use of Board,
Armstrong and Company, reported on
tsvorsbly by the committee on streets
and general laws, was passed.
Mr.. Sweeney appeared from the
Aldermen and stated that as that board
had not a quorum they would like
consent of Council to adjourn. This
was given and the Chair then said nc
business need come before Council cave
such matters as hsd already been acted
upon by the Aldermen, these matter;
being the tax, license and appropriation
bills.
Mr.. BirrelI thought matters Of such
grave importance should be acted on al
a regular meeting and moved the matter
to 60 over until The next regular meet
iDg. On vote this was lost and the clerk
started reading the tax bill.
Mr.. Harrison called attention to the
fact that men over the age Of 20 years
we're not exempted from the payment O.
the capitation tax.
Mr.. Marshall called attention to the
change in discount from 10 per cent.
to per cent. He thought he had right
at this time to consider this matter. He
could not vote intelligently until he
had looked very thoroughly into the
matter. The increase in taxation which
this meant appeared to him to be much
too great.
Mr.. Burke said the total increase by
making the reduction in the discount
If last years figures were taken az q
basis would be SO, 456, and this distrib-
uted amorg the taxpayers Of the city
would not be n burden. The finance
committee had discussed this decrease
in the discount last summer but as the
city's debt was being refunded at that
time they had decided that any change
there would be unwise on account OF
the moral effect. Replying to questions
by Messrs. Spinks and Smith, Mr..
Burke said unless the city revenue was
increased In some way improvements
would have 10 be curtailed; the commit
tee has given the matter careful con-
| sidera,iou aud had decided this was
the best method of increasing the
revenues.
Mr.. Uhler did not like to criticise the
finance committee but Council should
cat its coat according to its cloth. This
decrease In discount was nothing but an
increase in taxation. Instead of to-
crossing the revenue the expenditures
should be decreased. he moved that
the corresponding clause in the old tax
bill be substituted for this clause.
Mr.. Burke called attention to the new
school building and said it must be paid
for.
Mr.. Lesdbeater asked about the license
bill. He said unless the licenses we're
cOnespondiDgly increased he would op
pose any increase 10 taxes
Both Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Monroe
thought the finance committee being
more couverSant with the subject than
the rest OF Council we're better fitted to
decide the matter and the committee re-
port should be sustained.
Mr.. Marshall wanted to know of these
things sometime before they came before
Council to be passed. 10 his opinion
expenditures should be curtsiled rather
than revenues increased; the 4 per cent.
additional would be quite burden OF
property owners.
Mr.. Harrison was also opposed to this
change.
III. nL.: IT, LII l.. I'll 49,. L.