Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-31
alexandria, AFFAIRS
Many Merchants Are Dragged
Into Police Court.
LAW VIOLATION ALLEGED
Said to Have Not Needed Regula-
lions Governing Show Cases
on Walks.
Special Correspondence OF the Star

As Il result of Il crusade started by
direction of Mayor Paff against mer-
chants who block the sidewalks with the
display of their wares, the police this
morning had nearly every merchant in
the city cited into police court for alleged
violation of the provisions of the law.
The courtroom was filled with merchants,
most of whom were retailers, and they
represented practically every line of bust
ness in the city. An acauittal was made
by Justice Cation in each case, although
one case was held open at the instance
of the merchant who desired legal coun-
sci.
Space Law Allows.
Justice Cation. in summing up the cases
presented, stated that the law allows a
merchant tweny inches from the building
line proper for the purpose of displaying
their respective wares, but no space is
permitted, under the law, for storage pur-
poses Barrels boxes and such will,
therefore. have to 60 otherwise fines Will
be imposed. The display OF chickens. it
was also stated. is not permissible under
the law.
In order to thoroughly explain the law
fully, Justice Cation said that there must
be space of eleven feet ten inches clear
from the curb, except i'll cases where
shipments are made.
AS a result of this crusade the court
stated that it would be well for the Off
GERS to furnish themselves with rules SO
that hereafter when they bring d case
into court they may be furnished with all
the necesSa data.
The first case of violation of the ordi-
nance regarding the blocking OF the side
walks to be brought to the attention OF
the court was that of Il. Abramson. a
King street merchant. Justice Cation
after hearing the case some time ago.
| gave a decision to the effect that the dis
| play case would have to be moved back.
| deeming it in its present position a nui-
sance by the blocking of the sidewalk.
An appeal To the corporation court was
| taken, and the matter has not yet been
| heard before the court.
Money for Armory Debt.
The board of aldermen of city council
last night appropriated the sum of S6,5oo,
| or as much thereof as may be necessary,
| for the purpose of paying the present in
debtedness upon and remodeling Armory
Hall. 1t is provided that the money is to
be available when the title to the prop
erty is vested absolutely in fee simple in
| the city council and the members of the
| Alexandria Light Infantry have raised
and placed in the city treasury a sum
| equal to one-half of the total cost of re-
| modelling the hall. 1t is further provided
that the company shall maintain the run
ming expenses of the hall.
Council after a protracted debate de-
cided tc adjourn its regular sessions for
| the summer. not meeting until August 81.
Debate on Franchise.
A goodiy part of the closing session was
taken up in debate over the granting Of
the Observation-Disclosures Railway Com
pany a twenty-year franchise for the use
! of Royal street. The railway company
agrees to pay $1,000 year for the use Of
| that street for a period of twenty years
| In letter submitted by Attorney G. L.
Boothe the company agrees to pay So. 600
| for the paving of one square Royal
street from Prince to Duke street with
vitriiied brick, and another square on
Royal from Duke TO Wolfe street with
tar macadam.
Councimen Marshall. Spinks and Bir-
| relI thought that number OF property