Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-04
Mr. sNDWlEN's Answers
Explains his Position. On Various Mat:
tiers of Interest to Alexandra
City. .
Alex ndria, Va. April t..
TO the officers ana members OF tne
Alexandria Trades Council:
Gentlemen

Gentiemen-
In an open letter published IN tho
public press the various candidates f"r
municipal offices are asked y series OF
questions as 10 their views on certain
matters in which the public is interested.
Many OF these matters are beyond the
control OF municipal officers, beng en-
tirsly governed by ths state lesisla
ture however my views, il OF any con-
sequence, are as follows; though as yet
I have not received al official copy OF
your communication.
Questions:
Are you in favor Il municipal ow :
nerslip OF electric and water plants ,"
Are you in favor OF reducing cost OF
water rept.iu the, city -.
Are t,u 10 favor OF taxing the
water company for the uyo OF the
streets through which they run their
mains ?'
Are youth favor OF compulsory ed
ucation ~
Are you in favor OF free text
books ~
streets at the expense OF The city out OF
general fund %
Are you iu favor OF night schools
conducted by the city for the benefit Il
those unable to attend day schools ?''
Are you in favor OF having all city.
work. performed by the city itself or by
contract doue on An eight.huur basis
and by union labor? ="
Arc you in favor Of the acquisition
OF public park ?"'
Answers:
L. ! would favor such proposition
provided it was shown TO me that the
city could properly maintain and ope-
rate such plants as efficiently, as uoder
private ownership. and provided such
plan would bring revenue to the CITY.
>. i am heartily. 10 favor OF a
lower rate and larger water supply
and have officially advocated both prop
ositioDs whenever opportunity pre-
seuted itself. =
5. The Alexandria Water Company
is operated uoder state charter and a
contract with the city. II such tax can
be legally imposed, | would favor it..
4 I believe that conditions in Fir-
GINA as they now exist, due id a meas
ure to the large colored population,
and The large increase in expenses
which would result. makes compulsory
education impractical at the present
time. T. =. aH>-" =
+ s.. Ny ausysrT sa HRig,is the same as
above. Both 81 these measures are
mainly regulated by the legislature.
| believeil more progress would
be made and more money spent in
paving the streets by the plan OF partial
contributions by property owners whose
property is directly benefited, as
adopted by the City Council last year,
which plan has worked most satisfac-
torily to all concerned, bo:h in Alexan-
dria and other cities thrt ugbtout the
country.
I l am, and several years ago, IN.
troJuccd and secured the passage Of a
resolution by City Council authorizing
the establishment OF night school.
This school was opened by Col. I. h,
Fickliu, hut was subsequently, closI d
owing tn lack OF attendance OH part Of
pupils.
5. / am iufavor OF asking bids AID Civ.
ing preference TO union skilled labor OF
our city on The eight hour basis; but
il the city can do the work more eco
nomically aud as satisfactorily, favor
the work beiDg done by the city.
y. The mnttcr OF a public park has
Interested me for many years, aud ]
would vie with any citizen to the az
con,plisimcuL OF such All end.
Respectfully HCEEEr SSowDEN.