Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-23
LEXANDR|A AFFAIRS
Council Discusses Plans for
City Improvements.
MONEY FOR SEWER WORK
Hot Discussion Of Royal Street
Project = Recent Deaths - Non
Support Charge in Court.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, March %. 1910.
The street and finance committee Of the
city council last night at a meeting Of
council recommended that the sum of
1900 be appropriated on a resolution call
ing for the sum of $1,000 for the continu-
alton of the trunk sewer to drain the
northwest section of the city. 1t was ex-
planned that the committee would have
but one square Of the sewer built at this
time, hence the small amount asked for.
This recommendation was responsible
for a prolonged debate, in which many
members of council participated and In
which President Snowden took the inttia-
tive. He commended that it was poor pol
icy to continue to open up the northwest
section of the city with sewers when three
years ago council made an appropriation
for making a proper outlet to the South
Royal street sewer, which work has not
yet been begun. He hoped all work would
be stopped until the Royal street sewer IS
completed He then made a motion to lay
the matter on the table. Mr.. Leadbeater
here explained that the joint committee IN
recommending the small appropriation tor
the trunk sewer took into consideration
the building of a proper outlet for the
Royal street sewer.
Offers a Substitute.
Finally Mr.. snowden offered a sub
stitute for the recommendation OF the
joint committee to the effect that the
money for the trunk sewer become avail
able when the Royal street sewer is
extended Mr.. Snowden in so doing said
the people of the first ward wanted re-
lief from the present condition of affairs
existing in that end of the city.
City Engineer Dunn was present and
was called upon during the debate to tell
whether or not the city had legal right
to build the Royal street sewer. 1t hav-
ing heretofore been stated that the delay
of the work was due to legal compiica-
tons which might arise, and that the city
engineer had advised that permission be
obtained before starting to work. Ac-
cording to Mr.rDunn's statement he had
no record of either St. Asaph, Pitt or
Royal streets being open south Of Frank
lin street, but added that II he and
the street committee were instructed to
proceed with the work the matter could
soon be brought to head.
A vote on Mr.. Snowden's substitute was
taken and he lost out by vote of to 6.
Fourteen members were present. but one
Of them. Mr. Birrell, did not vote. The
recommendation Of the joint committee
appropriating $1,000 for the trunk sewer
was then taken up and passed by vote
of o for and 5 against. Shortly after
ward Councilman Smith offered a resolu-
ton that the street committee and city
engineer be directed to proceed at once
with the construction of the Royal street
sewer. This was passed without dis
senting vote. Both sewers will now be
constructed and the work will probably
be begun at an early date.
Additional appropriations aggregating to
S12, 100 for the fiscal year ending May,
1910. were asked for and referred to the
finance committee. They are as follows:
Streets and sewers, $4,000: street clean
ing, $500: court and Jail, $500: chain
gang. 800: fire department. 800: poor
and workhouse. 500: fire plugs. 500: cor
500.