Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-02-28
Common Council Disposes of Large
Volume of Business at Its Regular
Meeting Last Night.

- 1t was alter Twelve v CioSN i"'
night when the Common Council ad-
iourned. The elongated session was
caused by reports of committees on
papers which had been referred TO
them during the past year. Inc
new committees which were appointed
last September Inherited many pet!-
tions. communications, etc., which
had not been reported on to the old
Council, and it was the desire of the
present committees to clean out
pigeon holes.
There was virtually no discussion
in the Board of Aldermen. No new
business was presented, and the ac-
ton of the Common Council was con-
Cured in on all save two of the
papers sent in.
Most of the time of the upper
board was spent in recesses while
waiting for business from the lower
board. AS the hands of the clock in
the chamber drew closer to eleven
several members became restive, and
when it was reported, unofficlally, to
the board that the Common Council
was likely to be in session until
about two o'clock this morning, sew
eral Aldermen began quietly to get
into their overcoats and ask to be
excused. 1t was finally seen that
the Aldermen lacked a quorum, and
this fact was communicated to the
lower board. 1t was about 1915 a.
m. when the members of the Com
mon Council concluded to adjourn.
Board of Aldermen
All tie Aldermen were present,
and the business presented was soon
disposed Of.
Appropriations of $2,700 and $500
in two resolutions providing for
improvement of Diagonal Road in
the annexed portions of Alexandria
and Fairfax counties, received from
the Common Council at the last meet
ing, were passed.
Ar ordnance. providinG- for aidz
for the privilege of placing trash
boxes at certain places in the city
was received from the Common Coun-
Gil.
All the Aldermen save Mr.. Will
kins were averse to the measure, ana
they recalled the fact that this en-
terprisc had been tested several
years ago and resulted in boys dump
ing the contents of the receptacles
into the streets or utilizing them as
drums to the annoyance of people
living nearby.
Mr.. Summers moved to non-concur
in the action of. the Comon Council.
Mr.. Ballenger moved substitute
to lay the ordinance upon the table
and this was carried.
Mr.. Wilkins was absent from the
room when the vote was taken, and
upon his return he asked what lis
position had been made Of the meas
ure. When informed of its fate, he
said he was in favor of the ordinance.
The tax and license laws fol- the
coming fiscal year were received from
the Common Council and laid over
until next meeting.
The other business disposed of
will be found in the official proceed
ings.
Common Council
The annual ordinance prescribing
license taxes for the year 1917 which
wa sadopted by the Common Council
last night provides for tax on all
purchases instead of the tax which
the city formerly levied on all capital
invested in business. Councilman
Bryan, chairman Of the finance com.
mittee, explained to council that un-
der a recent decision of the Supreme
Court the city cannot levy tax OF
capital in business and the loss to the
city, will be about $4,000 annually as
a result, and in order to make up thi:
deficit it was decided to place small
tax on the amount of purchases made
by merchants.
The tax which is as follows: On
$500 or less $3.50; more than $500
and including $1,000 the sum of S5
in excess of $1,000 to $4,000 the sun
Of $40. In excess of $4,000 the rat
is 81 q $1,000 and in excess OF $50,
OOc. 30 cents a $1,000.
This ordinance was discussed ant
then adopted.
The joint committee on genera
laws. police and health reported ad
versely on the curfew law and it's re
port was unanimously adopted.
The recommendation Of the firSe sn
finance committee to purchase q