Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-09-20

INTEREST UNABATED.
Probability of Hearing of Case Being
Continued Until November Term of
Court.

The hearing of testimony for the
petitioners in the Annexation pro-
cedeings was begun this morning at
1880. John D. Normoyle was the
first witness called to the stand. Mr.
Normoyle testified that the City of
alexandria was the most congested of
any city in Virginia. That there are
not more than three or four desirable
building lots in the residential neigh
borhood. He stated that there was
building in the suburbs which was be-
ing done principally by residents of
Alexandria. On ross-examination, he
stated that he had no modern houses
for rent, on his list and very few for
sale, and that ne has applicants for
from twenty-five to thirty houses that
he is unable to supply.
Robt. E: Gronau, chief of the fire
department. was the next witness cal
led, and testified as to the equipment
and condition of the fire department Of
the city. He gave statistics showing
the amount of fire losses during his
term of office and the amount of in
surance on the property destroyed.
When asked as to what extra equip
ment would be needed for the protec-
tion of the territory proposed to be
annexed, he stated that it would be Re.
auired an extra steamer and chem,
ical engine, and that the latter should
be located in the wtestern part of the
city, preferably on the lot recently ac-
quired for the high school.
The next witness to take the stand
was C. T. Goods, chief of the police.
He was aked as to the number OF sa-
looms in the city, the amount of dis
order an dthe number OF crimes COM
order and the number of arrests made
yearly. He stated that there were Al
licenses issued May lst, of which 10
were wholesale or shippers licenses
and 5 licenses to sell in sealed pack
ges only. He stated that in the past
year about fourteen hundred arrests
had been made, of which the greater
were of people who were not residents
of the city. He testified that the po-
lice department had to look after this
end of Fairfax and Alexandria coun-
ties as there were no officers located
in this part of the counties, and he
could not get them to come.
Howard w. Smith was next called
to the stand and testified that ne was
chairman of the special committee
which fixed the proposed boundaries
of the city, and he also testified as to
the congested condition Of the city.
James Bayne was then called and
asked to give the result of the complla-
ton of figures which he had made in
reference to the expenditures and de-
velopment of the city within the past
ten years, but upon objection by attor-
neys for the counties, the question was
withdrawn and Mr.. Bayne then testi-
fed as to the general condition OF the
citv in relation to unimproved tern
tory and stated that there was very
little nunimproved property OF a de.
sirable chracter.
Frank Latham, superintendent OF
gas was examined at some length IN
regard to the capacity and condition
of the gas plant and the number OF
feet of gas mains and pipes which
have been laid the city. He stated
that the plant had capacity OF
hundred million feet year. He stat
ed that there were between 16GO ana
TOO consumers.
The court adjourned at 1.30 to re-
convene at 2:30. E F. Price, city au-
ditor and Henry X. Field, chairman of
the Finance Committee will be called
to the stand this afternoon to testify
in regard to the financial condition
of the city.
Yesterday Afternoon Session.
George E. Warfield was still on the