Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-15
ALEXANDR|AAFFA|R
Payments to City Officials for
Supplies Opposed.
ALDERMAN ENTERS KICK
Auditor Price Thinks That the Laws
Prohibition Applies Merely to
Goods Furnished by Contract.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, October Is, 1910.
Letters protesting against the payment
of bills rendered by councilmen, alder
men or any other city officers for sup
plies sold to the city or work done by
contract by such parties for the city, writ
ten by Councilman A. D. Brockett. were
received this morning by Mayor Paff.
City Treasurer Thomas w. Robinson and
City Auditor E. F. Price.
Mr.. Brockett quotes the law on the
subject, and says: AT the last meeting
OF city council of Alexandria, Va. held
Tuesday night, October H. member of
that body stated that the firm of which
he is a member was selling goods to the
city and that they would continue to do
So"
- In closing. he says: at would seem to
me that no bill rendered by a councilman,
alderman or any other city officer could
be legally paid out of the city funds, or
any part thereof, and, therefore, / now
formally protest against the payment of
any bills for which services have been
rendered or merchandise furnished by q
councilman. alderman or other city off,
GER"
The Law in the Case.
The law as quoted in the letters writ
ten by Mr.. Brockett reads as follows:
1T shall not be lawful for any member
of the council or. board of aldermen, or
any other officer, or agent. or any COM
missioner appointed for the opening of
streets. or any other member of q COM
mlttee constituted or appointed for the
management, regulation or control Of cor
porate property of any city during their
term for which they are elected or ap-
pointed, to be contractor or subcon-
tractor with the said corporation or its
agents, or with such committee, nor shall
they be interested directly or indirectly
in any contract, subcOntract or job of
work, or material, or the profits or con-
tract price thereof, or any services to be
performed for the city for pay under any
contract or subcOntract, and no such
councilman, officer or employe shall be in
terested directly or indirectly in any con-
tract, Subcontract or job Of work or ma
terials. or the profits or contract price
thereof, or services to be furnished or
performed for the city for pay under any
contract or subcontract, nor as agent for
such contractor or subcontractor, or other
person furnishing any supplies or ma
terials."
1t is claimed that If this law is carried
out many councilmen and several other
city officials who have heretofore done
business with the city will be compelled
to discontinue doing so. At the recent
council meeting member said that fully
8 per cent of the members of coun-
Gil do business with the city.
Auditor Prices Opinion.
City Auditor E. F.. Price, when seen
this morning by a reporter for The Star,
said that he had read the letter, and
was acquainted with the law on the sub
ject. which Is reproduction of the law
found in the code of 1887. He further
said that SO far as this law applies to
cOuncilmen, it is the same as was passed
in 1877. Mr.. Price said he was of the
opinion that 1t would not apply to q man
selling goods to the city. but applied to
would be compelled to issue warrants for
bills presented to him, properly certi-
fled. for payment.
City Treasurer Thomas w. Robson
all bills properly certified to him for
payment. Mayor Paff is out Of the city.
Whether or not the present. city coun-
cilmen and other city officials who do
business with the city will continue to
do SO is not known. Two members at
the last meeting of the council said
they did not propose to do any more
business with the city until the matter
was settled. 1t is reported that Mr..
Brockett may take the matter to the
courts in the event city officials con-
tinue to do business with tie city. The
outcome of this matter is awaited with
considerable interest.
Protest Against Sale.
At meeting Of the Relief Hook and
Ladder Company last night the members
of that organization protested against the
proposed sale Of the two frame dwellings
east of the companys house on Prince
street between Royal and Fairfax streets,
and President j. II. Trimyer appointed
the following committee 10 look into the
matter: William G.. Wildt, Thomas A.
Fisher, August Oehlert, E. Steuart Smith
and Charles DeMoll Mr.. Trimyer was
also added to the committee.
At a meeting of city council Tuesday a
resolution having for its object the sale
of this property was referred to the
Joint committee on finance and public
property.
organized last evening with the election
of these officers: Arthur Herbert, ir.,
president; j. T. Burke, jr.. treasurer; f.
$. Fawcett, r. NJ. Chichester. E. p. Hun
ter and j. 5. Douglas, jr., board Of gov
ernors.
The club decided to hold it's first dance
of the season Thanksgiving. 1t was also
decided to hold further dances in the
ElkS' Hall.
To Sweep Streets at Night.
With the reelection Of E. S. Lead
beaten as chairman, the street committee
of the city council was reorganized yes
resolution introduced at the last meet
ing of city council to have the city streets
swept every Saturday night after bust
ness hours. beginning Saturday next The
committee also decided TO make an in
spection of the streets of the city. Other
members of the committee are: Council
men Louis Brill and ]. Fred Birrell and
Aldermen c. ]. w. Summers and Ken
meth Ogden.
The funeral of Mrs. Mary d. Swain,
who died Thursday night, took place this
afternoon from her home. 2OS Wolfe
street. The services were conducted by
Rev. James Taylor of Washington, burial
being made in the Presbyterian cemetery
James Mozinso, stranger. was charged
in the police court this morning with as
saulting a man in a house in the north
eastern section of the city last night
The accused said it all seemed like a
dream to him this morning. One black
eye was evidence that he had not been
dreaming. The accused was fined S.
Opening Dance Of Season.