Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-04-25
THREE HOURS SESSION
.Twc-Thirds of Time Consumed by
Common Council in Debating Pro-
posed Traffic Laws.

i VI SouLSll e'N 49,
were consumed in considering the
new set of traffic rules and regula-
tions. The question Of purchasing
an aerial fire truck was recommltted
and the resignation of Councilman
Bryan, chairman of the finance
committee, as a member of that
committee. The remainder of the
business disposed of was of a rou-
tine nature.
The joint committee on finance and
fire recommended the purchase of a
combination chemical and aerial
truck at cost not to exceed $4,000,
[ and this report was signed by four
members of the committee, Messrs.
Desmond, Robinson, Harrison and
Wilkins.
Councilman Bryan, after the report
had been read, stated it was signed
by four out of the. nine members OF
( the committee, although he thought
Councilman Foster, if present, would
have favored it.
, Personally he said he was unop-
posed to the purchase of truck, ad-
ding that some of the members of
\ the committee favored the purchase
of city service truck.
On motion of Councilman Evans
vote was taken on the committees
report and there were eight for its
adoption and four against it. Owing
to the fact that it required nine votes
for its passage, the measure was de-
clared lost in the lower branch.
In the meantime the aldermen by
vote of five to one adopted the report,
andi the latter body asked for con-
ference committee, and Messrs. Des-
mond and Bryan were appointed on
this committee. They subsequently
returned whereupon Councilman Des-
mond asked the report be recommit-
ted, and this was done. 1t is expect
ed that a report will be made at the
next meeting of council.
On behalf of the joint committee
on general laws and streets Council
man Carlin presented an ordinance
to regulate all traffic including the
speed of all vehicles, and providing
penalties for violating its provisions
and abroeating all previous laws on
the subject After numerous amend
ments had been offered to different
sections the ordinance was recommit-
ted to the committee from whence
it came.
Briefly the ordinance provides for
a general speed of fifteen miles en-
hpur and ten miles an hour on King
street and six miles an hour at eros
sings. The maximum speed for fire
apparatus while responding to fire
alarms was fixed at twenty-five
miles an hour.
Councilman Carlin objected to the
regulation to prevent vehicle re-
naming in one place on King street
for a, longer period than fifteen min
untes, adding that members of the
Alexandria Automobile Club thought
this rather drastic and this substi-
tute was adopted. Among other reg
ulations it is provided no vehicle
shall stand within fifteen feet of a
fire hydrant.
President Smith directed attention
to the fact that baby carriages and
roller skates are designated as We
hicles and that the ordinance pro-
vides that all vehicles on the streets
after dark shall carry lights.
Councilman Carlin explained that
this would be operative only when
they were out in the streets.
Councilman Bryan, under the head
% vi pctSuIdl Pll ~ tiSNSN W DS z
leved of further duties On the finance
committee. He said that as chairman
of that committee he had spent a
good deal of his time. and that coun-
Gil frequently had disapproved of
reports made by the committee, di
recting attention of council to the re-
lection of the report of the commit
tee to purchase 'Colross' for a col
ored school.
A majority of the members urged
him to reconsider his proposed action.
and assured him council had the ut
most confidence in the committee,
Council then rejected his request to
withdraw from the committee.
On the recommendation of the gen
eral laws and fire committee there
will be no reduction in the salary Of
paid members of the fire department
hereafter when they are i'll providing
said illness does not exceed a perioc