Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-08-01
ALDERMEN HOLD MEETING.
Pass Ordinances for Repairing
Cameron and Fairfax Streets
Side Walks Cause Debate.

The Board of Aldermen was in
session about an hour yesterday even.
ing, during which time the ordinance:
providing for the improvement OF the
three squares on Cameron street from
Royal to Washington street were passed
by unanimous votes. An ordinance
providing for the paving OF FAIRFAX
streets between Prince and Duke, with
yitrifed brick was also passed. 1t Is
supposed the Common Council will
have called meeting during the
next few days and concur in the action
of the Common Council in the last
measure. The ordinances for the I'M
proyement OF Cameron street were
passed by the lower board last week.
Six Aldermen-President Marbury
and Messrs. Brill, Ballenger, Ogden,
Field and Summers--werc present.
The three ordinances for the I'M
proyement Of Cameron street were read
the second and third times and passed
by unanimous votes and without dis
cnssion.
There was, however, some debate
when the ordinance providing for the
grading and rcpaving OF. the south
Fairfax street square was read.
The ordinance as originally prepared
provided for ten foot sidewalk, but
the committee to whom the ordinances
had been referred had reported IN
favor of contracting the sidewalk to
seven and half feet. 1t had been
generally agreed before The Alderman
were called to order that the ordinance
would be passed as originally prepared
and that q ten-foot sidewalk would be
adopted.
After the ordinance had Teen read
AR. Brill moved that it be adopted as
originally prepared, providing for a
ten-foot sidewalk.
Mr.. Ballenger did not think
the city should pay for any por-
ton OF the sidewalk, as would
be the case should the ordi-
nance be adopted in its present
shane. A precedent would be establish
ed which would cause dissatisfaction
sooner or later, as others would request
the same favor eventually. He favored
the adoption OF the committees report
which provided for the seven and .
half foot sidewalk. He insisted that
Council would make mistake in
granting ten foot sidewalk.
Mr.. Ogden favored giving the prop
oriv owners q ten foot sidewalk il they
desired it and were willing to pay two
thirds Of the cost. rs was the case III
this instance. He stated that he with
other members OF the street committee
had inspected certain streets OF the city
on which it is purposed to make I'M
movements, and all had been convinced
that seven aud half foot Sidewalk
was too contracted. The city. he SAID,
only required property owners TO pay
one.third the cost OF laying sidewalks
on which improvements are TO he
made, but in the case before
The board the property owners had
ndtitioned for ten foot Sidewalk aud
had offered to pay two-thhrds OF the
cost.
Mfr. Ballenger insisted that the city
would be setting bad precedent.
Mr. Marbury substantiated all that
Mr.. Ogden had said in connection with
the matter.
Mr.. Summers favored the adoption
Of the ordinance as originally prepared.
He favored ten foot sidewalk under
the condition which had been agreed
to by the property owners-that Is they
paying two-thirds OF the cost,
City Engineer Dunn was sent for and
he explained the matter substantially
as Messrs. Marbury, Ogden and sum
mers. He stated the cost to the city
would be about $l40 more than the
appropriation OF $1,000 carried by the
ordinance.
Mr.. Field said he realized the force
OF Mr.. Balenger's remarks. Others
might petition for similar favors.
4 vote was finally taken and the
ordinance passed as originally prepared
-ayes, Messrs. Marbury, Brill, Bal
lenger, Ogden and Summers. No.
Mr.. Field.
The board then adjourned.