Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-12-22
COMMUNICATED.
ALEXANDRIA'S GRATITUDE.

ALEXANDRIA'S GRATITUDE.
Why does the Oity Council grant Ps-
ti,ion after petition for appropriation OF
"the public's money" throughout the
entire year to organizations existing In
our city, but ignore entirely two or three
like requests most humbly made by
our several FIRE companies for soms
ridiculousIy small compared to that
asked for by the favored ones?
10 August of this year the Reliance
company r.qaested an expenditure Of
the Insignificant sum Of 800, intended
to bs used in defraying a portion OF
expenses involved In their annual visit
10 convention. Up to the present time
the finance committee have been unable
to determine in which P'geon.hole the
pcper was lost. Later the Columbia
company asked for an annual app'o-
priation OF $500, for Its maintenance.
The PRESIDENT Of the Common Council
referred the request to the finance COM
mitsee for report. As yet no one has
been disturbed by that reports loud
detonstion.
Tpo or three years ago the Belief
Hook and Ladder Company submitted
a petition, together with requests BY the
two fret mentioned companies, for 500
Result--two said companies we're cot
s25, receiving SIS each; the Relief being
Gu, $50, receiving $50, amount respect.
fully returned.
Since that time the members enrolled
with this Organization bsVe never wor-
ried the gentlemen of council With any
further requests. Another paper, deemed
heat no. to name, was treated likewise.
Is it not Tins that this portion OF the
city's servants should receive 3! least the
courtesy of their fellow cil'zsns in The
form of some definite action being tskan
on THAR Communication, be it either
rejection or acceptance =!
When We are confronted with the
lrue aud Incorporating figures OF
seven thousand seven hundred dollars
representing the very lowest coat per
annum of maintaining paid fire de.
psrtment, salaries alone, in addition to
its present necessary outlay, which, BY
the way, Is becoming popular idea
among the volunteers who ruin clothes,
!use valuable time, being deprived OF
many nights rest, suffering intensely
from cold or heat, as the Gaze may be,
placing their bodies at the disp 1sai OF
conditions Involved in their work and
ot,ep, yes, too oftep, facing death to de.
feud property aod, If needs be, lie,
then we may feel inclined to say that
We appreciate their services, even though
it not be sincerely spokeD, the last seven
words composing al only too true
expression of sentiment on the part OF
some of our cirizsus. For the writer'spart,
paid department will be welcomed, for
then our volunteers will join theirs with
the balauce of rldicnle when perchspce
their thoughts should amble back to the
time their services were considered
valuelsss.
I. would be we'll for our taxpayers 10
dwell time upon the figures herein
submitted, aud endesvor to create a
feeliog OF at least appreciation on the
part of our legislators in both branches
of our city government, of which only
our 6remen are worthy and justly de-
serve, for 1t must be rememb bered that the
greatest enthusiast will yield even that
be loves the most when succession
Of disapoiutments aud diacourageneuts
are thras! upon him. JUSTICE.