Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-02-24

had not been proven to the satlstac
tion Of the joint committee that tn
ely was in any way responsible TO
the damage. Two weeks after Noven
ere Il barrel top was found in tn
city sewer, and it was supposed tha
this ;mpediment was in the sewer Of
, the Sunday Mr.. Armstrong; stool
was demaged This however, had no
been proven. Besides he had made
claim for S2S7 so when it had beer
shown that the original cost OF tht
paper was $115. The petitioner plac
ed ihe value of the paper at tina
increased amount when it was damag'
ed, and in his explanation OF the dis
crepancy said he had been compel
ed to purchase large stock OF paper
in order to get this special lot at tha'
price. Hence he apprized its value
above the sum he had paid for it un'
der such circumstances. Mr.. BallenEe'
said that contiguous sewer might
have caused the trouble or a down,
spout. He considered the reimburse
ment of Mr.. Armstrong a bad pre-
cedent, as'there was no telling where
this thing might stop, heavy rams
often fall and others might want to
hold the city responsible in all such
cases.
Mr.. wilkins, of the street COM
n;ttee. concurred with Mr.. Ballen-
.Ar and said it was the concensus
Of opinion with the joint committee
tnat overfows do not occur IN pro-
perly-constructed sewers. heaVs
,ains generally do but little damage,
hui defective surface drainage does
Heavy rains high winds and clouoS
bursts are acts of God. Property
owners are responsible when they 1a''
70 tske proper precautions.
MIR. Brill again urged that it was
incumbent upon Council to pay tn'
claim. Mr.. Armstrong was wllllne
70 take s115, the actual cost OF the
napcr which had been ruined os ''s
wa.r in his cellar, and would ""S.
what he claimed was its enhanceo
value.
After further interchange OF op-
;.,;or i vote was taken on the aoop,
4;,n Of the report and the action OF
,;e lower board was concnrre'. ~
AYES 5. No, Mr.. Brill.
The board later adjourned
Common Council.
Mossrs Marshall and Brumoach
ware the only absenters at the meet
;ro Ct the Common Council
Tho committees on finance genera
lowe and streets recommended tna'
.ho claim of Joseph Armstrong i''
1ayrouo TO the contents of his cellar
consed by stoppage in the sewer o'
not allowed, and after brief e%pia,
nation by the committee Counc"
adopted the report.
The finance committee recommend
ell an: appropriation of SSlS 0O iof
the purchase of an adding matn'';t a
for nse in the city Offices, and their
recommendation was adopted
A petition from w. NJ. k'ng ASK
;,o to he allowed to remodel build
ing at the southwest corner OIL N.ns
and West streets for use as a moving
picture house was, on recommends
tion of the committee on Streets ue'
Med
The committee on finance AND
streets reported unfavorabiy on the
no+it;on of James R. Mansfield lo1
reimburseenmt for the new sidewalk
in front of LOG North Pitt street
Their recommendation was approved
Certain amendments to the law
nroviding for the inspection ana
measuring of lumber caused q
lengthy discussion, and the ordinance
was finally laid over until the next
meeting. as most Of the members
felt that they would like to be more
familiar with the situation before
voting. These amendments provided
for the compulsory inspection OF lum-
Der at Il cost of 80 cents per thous-
and feet.-20 cents to be paid by the
seller and 10 cents by the purchaser
The clerk read letter from j. L.
Preston. secretary Of a mass meet
ing held at the Chamber of COM
merce on February 10, asking that
/ Council appoint committee of two
from each body to join with com
mitteeS from the local fire companies
| Chamber of Commerce and Retail
| Merchants Association in a confer
ence with the engineers of the Ma
| tional Board of Fire Underwriters
! ;o,, tho nnrnoSe of lookino into The