The Washington herald., 1912-11-13
COUNCIL GRANTS
RAILWAY FRANCHISE
Washington-Virginia Company tc
Pay Alexandria 1000 a Year
in Payment.
CITY FATHERS IN SESSION

Alexandria, Va, Sov 12-The much
talked of twenty year franchise for the
lease OF Royal Street, between King
and Franklin Streets, to the Washing
ton-Virginia Railway Company was
passed tonight by both branches of
City Council.
| According to the terms of the fran
chise the railway company will pay the
city the sum of 1900 a year, payable in
| advance quarterly, for the franchise.
They will also pave the three squares
| on Royal Street, between Prince and
Wilkes Streets, at a cost of 1880. This
| paving is exclusive of the space be-
tween the company's tracks and two feet
I on each side thereof and they will also
do the latter which will make the work
cost them approximately $1,000. In ad-
dition the company agrees TO remove its
freight station from its present location
at the southwest corner of Prince and
Royal Streets to some other location.
The Southern Bell Telephone Company,
which concern recently merged into the
chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Com
pany, presented a resolution, through At
torney G. L. Boothe, asking that they be
granted a franchise for erecting wires,
poles, and conduits in the streets and al
leys of the city, such as is enjoyed by
ton of Virginia. 1t was stated in the
communication accompanying the resolu-
ton that the company intends TO spend
between $4,000 and $4,000 in this city In
the near future in the Improvement of its
service. The presentation Of this caused
furry among some Of the members of
Council at the company in asking for the
passage Of such a resolution at this time.
This was after considerable debate refer
IT-aH IN he nj
laws, streets, and finance.
A resolution of Councilman Birrell that
a.. telephone. telegraph. and railway
wires be placed on a single line of poles
in the city was referred to the committee
On finance and streets.
Wants Cable Removed.
A resolution of Councilman Spinks to
compel the Washington Virginia Railway
Company to remove its cable from King
Street was referred to the committee on
streets and. general laws.
Another resolution of Mr.. Spinks that
the corporation attorney ascertain II the
city can obtain additional revenue from
the Virginia Railway Com
pany for the use OF King, Columbus and
Cameron Streets was laid on the table
by a vote of eleven to three. Mr.. Spinks
was also anxious to have the State, Cor
poration Commission come here to fnves-
tigate the proposed merger.
Regarding the proposed illumination OF
four squares on Washington Street be-
tween Queen and Duke Street, with mod
ern electric lights. Councilman Brockett
introduced a resolution favoring having
the corporation attorney present at a
meeting of the committee when the mat
ter is discussed TO interpret the fran
chise granted the light company so as
to make il clear to the committee. This |
resolution was adopted.
\ resolution that the corporation at
torney take The necessary IegaIesteps to |
the part of the state of the city gas
works for 100000. and the City Hall
Building for $4,000 was passed.
resolution empowering the fire COM |
mittec to obtain a man for extra duty |
in the services OF the Fire Department |
at salary of $40 a month was referred |
to committee on fire and finance
Three dogs at the city Jail. kept for |
killing rats in that place. are to be
exempt from taxation, according to al
resolution passed by both branches.
Fire Engines Needed.
A resolution of Councilman Chauncey
that the sum of $500 or as much there
of as may be necessary be appropriated
for the purchase of two fire engine horses
for the Reliance Fire Engine Company
was passed.
A communication from H. Kirk, clerk
OF city school board. notifying council
that the terms of the following members
have expired was received: Oscar Phil
lips, first ward Moxley Erwin, second
ward: DR.. w. NJ. Smith. third ward;
Frank Myers, fourth ward.
Councilman Bryan served notice that at
the next meeting of the council he would
move for a joint session for the purpose
of electing four school trustees and the
three police commissioners
A petition from the property owners on
Payne Street between Cameron and Queen
Streets asking for its improvement with
a macadam roadway and granite curbing
and promising to pay $1.35 a front foot
was referred 10 the street committee. A