Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-26
Several Resolutions For I'M
provements Submitted
to Council
PERIOD is EXTENDED
Both Branches Pass Ordinance Max
ing it Obligatory to Tap Sewers
by Before August !, 1916.

The compulsory sewer tap ia"
which was to have become operative
today has been postponed until Aug
eust 1. This action was taken by
both branches of the city council at
it's meeting last night following an
ordinance asking for postponment
introduced by Councilman Desmond.
When Mr.. Desmond introduced the
ordinance to extend the time limit Tor
tapping the sewers he left the date
open.
Councilman Brockett said he
thought three months would be sufii-
cient extention as six months was
granted the last time.
Mr.. Desmond said he introduced
The measure at the request of many
citizens and also in view of the un-
certain weather conditions. During
January he said $500 had been paid
into the city treasury for sewer taps,
which he said, did not look as IL
citizens were endeavoring to eVade
the law. and added that all they ASKED
was a little time.
An extension until August l, was
then favored, by Mr.. Brockett, who
said that the city had taken notes Tor
street improvements and he thought
this would be a good idea in connec-
5 tion with the sewer work.
-s: ~ .onucilmans sLawler. said he hoped
no further extension would be asked,
and he did think notes woulds be a
good feature.
Councilman Bales said he was op-
posed to the proposed extension. lie
said he had been informed that 1t
does not require city ordinance to
enforce the sewer tap law, as there is
state laws on the subject. He en-
pressed the opinion. that there are
some people who don't intend to COM
ply with the law if they can evade It.
Councilman Harrison said it is not
altogether the fault of the property
owners. it sometimes being the fault
of the plumber in not being able to
ao all the work. He added that
most of those who have tapped thus
far were poor people and that $4,000
was paid into the treasury last year
for sewer taps.
Councilman Taylor Burke, said he
would vote for an extension OF time
provided arrangements are made Tor
taking notes from those unable to
paw cash. He added that there Is
always a pathetic appeal brought up
each time the ordinance is about to
be enforced.
Councilman H. r. Burke said that
for the past three months 1t was an
uncertain proposition about doing out
door work. and he thought the pay
ment of $4,000 last year is good
evidence that the people are trying
to comply with the law. He also eN-
pressed hope that arrangements "ouio
be made to take notes for. the work
from those unable to pay cash.
Councilman Bales said he would
vote for the extension more out OF
sympathy than anything else.
The suggestion was made by Coun-
Gilman Lawler that all pledge them
selves to give no further extension OF
time after August l,
The ordinance was subsequently
adopted.
Appropriations totaling S23,300 for
road improvements in the recently
annexed territory were referred to
the joint committee on finance anc
streets. Three resolutions were pre-
sented for this work, TWO being fol
what was formerly part Of Fair,
fax county and the third for what was
formerly part OF Alexandra coun
ty. In each instance it IS provided
that the funds be taken from twelv,
per cent of the assessed value of th
property in the annexed territory, il
accordance with the terms of the de
cree of the court regarding the es
penditure of funds for permanent in
provements in this territory.
The first ordinance is for the e9
panditurs of $4,000 for a 10 foe