Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-11-10
treet and was opposed to decreasing the
width OF zuy OF the streets.

vac recommiited 10 The committee on
streets, with the suggestion Ibs. report
iavoring the improvement OF 42-ioot
street be made
Mr.. RIsheill called up the resolu ton
sppropristiug "a, 900 to grade and con-
slruct q 81 foot broken stone road on
north Washington street from Wythe to
Montgomery street, sOd for an lS-foot
broken stone roadway from Montgomery
street to the corporation lire, which was
laid over at the last meeting.
Mr., Lesdbeater said the matter should
receive consideration tonight, So coun-
ciPs action at the las. meeting bad been
a disappointment to the street and
finance committees. Money should be
speut for a good roadway to accOmmo'
date the travel to and from Washington.
He then asked that the resolutions
adopted by the Chamber Of Commerce
be read, which was done. (The resolu-
tions we're published 10 yesterdays Gs-
zette.) he said the resolutions
we're signed by large number OF
merchants and prominent business
men, and favorable action should
be taken on the matter when
1t was favored by such body OF men. he
also at the request Of Mr.. Marshall de-
scrIbed the route the teams would take
In order to reach the new roadway.
Mr.. Marshall was 10 favor OF improv-
ing Washington street from King 10
Queen street before spending money
90 far out. BE, however, favored the
Improvement of the road on either
Washington or Columbus street at
moderate cost.
Mr.. Leadbeater stated that the city
had not enough money to justify 1t 10
improving the two squares on Washing
ton street he hoped, however. that soon
these and other squares would be i'm
proved.
Mr. Spinks said The city bad already
this year expended more than $l2,OOO
for street Improvements and did not have
funds to appropriate for any improve
mt nts 60 far out. Why not use COlum-
bus street instead OF Washington He
was 10 favor OF Improving the center OF
the city where the property VAS improved
and not where it Sss unimproved.
Mr.. Burke ssid The square on Gam
eroa street would have been improved
long ago II the pro rata cost had bfep
put up by The property owners. Inc
money was DOW available ior the work.
He said II the improvement on north
Washington street WAS made the money
would be provided BY Council.
Mr.. Evans said be was unable to get
the most necessary Improvements 10
bis section OF the city; there Was no
decent outlet to the south Of the city;
be thought the matter should be recon-
mltted.
Mr.. Leadbester said one Of the next
improvements would be 10 provide
good roadway to Hunting creek.
Mr.. Harrison was In favor OF the reso-
luton, snd could not vote to turn the
matter down; the finance committee had
reported favorably on 1t and tina. was
sufficient for him.
Mr.. Uhler was no! in favor Of the ap
preparation, rs much Of the property on
that thoroughfars was unimproved.
Mr.. BirreIl was 10 favor of the Sp'
preparation, as 1t WAS essential to the
business interests OF the city.
Mr.. Smith said he would have to vote
aosinst the matter. He moved to re.
commit it to the committee to consider
the improvement Of Columbus as we'll
as Washington street.
Mr.. Brumback offered an amendment
to improve Washington street in the
same manner as the county had improved
the roadway leading to that street.
Mr.. SnoWden (Mr Uhler 10 the chair
said the city did not have funds avail
able to do the work az alresdy the ap-
preparation for street work had been
practically exhsused. He was 10 favor
OF street improvements, but said the
work could not be done without money;
he would vote for sufficient amount to
improve either north Washington or
Columbus street, which could be done
for thousand dollars, leaving the re-
msinder OF the proposed appropriation
to lay q modern pavement on Camera 0
street, between Royal and Fairfax, which
work must now be done under an ordi-
Names already passed as The property
owners had just paid their share for this
improvement. He said the property
owners on north Washington street had
not asked for the improvement; would
not pay q cent for the work and that was
unfair to those living souta Of them who
had paid their share for the improve
ment already made. He expressed sur
prise at the statement made by Mr..
Burke. who said the money would be
available, when that gentleman had
stated that The raising Of taxes aud
Licenses was necessary to secure money
to carry on the city government.
He said council wss known as very
uncertain body, as II did one thing at
one meeting and undid 1t at the next,
Justly bringing criticism upOn its men,
oers. He referred to the presence 10
the chamber of members Of the Cham
Der of Oommtrce; he vas frieod of
each OF them and was glad they took In
terest 10 the city's welfare, but he bad
known the time when matters of much
more importance than this Improvement
was before council and they we're not
present. He would be glad for them to
aid council in raising money for i'm
provewents. He said 1t was time for the
members OF council to step down aud
out II they are incapable Of trsSsactiDg
business which came before them.
After some further argument the mat
ter was finally recommitted to the COM
mittees on streets aud finance.
A communication was received from