Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-09-04
.C0UN NCIL.OR GANIzES

| c. w, Wattles Vice Pre<iaens-G
F. WarlieId Elected Member Il
Fill Vacancy Caused BY Resigna
t!on of Mr.. Smith
The new City Council was formally
organized with the election IF oIfcerS
last night. The newly elected officers
in the lower branch are az follows
Harry R. Burke, president; c. W
Wattles, vice president; DaniaI R.
StanSbury, clerk; W. L. Cravcn. I:'es-
senger.
The new council with sixteen n:':H-
bers present was called to order by y.
r Stansbury, clerk, and tho Oath of
office administered to the 2.:r.ht newly
elected members LF Howard w.
Smith, the retiring president Of that
body.
The newly elected members are: l..
Ruben, w. J. McCaffrey, c. w. Wat
ties, William Desmond, w. G. Bag
gett, C. j. Sullivan, n. J. Lawler and
c. w. Fletcher. 1t marks the first
term in council for AIcssrs. McCatfrey,
Baggett, Sullivan and Fletcher.
Mr.. Smith nominated for President
Mr.. Burke, whom he said he had been
associated with in city council for the
past ten years. MIR Burke's election
was unanimous and he made a short
speech expressing qualification over
his election and promising to dis
charge the duties of the office to the
best of his ability.
For vice president Mr.. DESMOND
nominated Nh Watties and Mr.. Wat
ties declined and nominated Mr.. Law
Ter. Mr.. Lawler, however, declined
and insisted that Mr.. Wattles accept
the nomination whercupon the nomi-
nations were closed and Mr.. Wattlcs
was unanimously elected.
Mr.. Rallenger nominated DAME: L.
Stansbury for clerk and he was
chosen without opposition and Mr..
Smith nominated w. l.. Craven for
messenger who also was chosen with
out opposition.
Councilman Smith then introduced
a resolution that a committee OF two
members from each branch report to
council on the advisability Of employ
ing a city manager adopting some
form of commission government. It
was adopted, and the chair appointed
Messrs. Wattlcs and Fletcher OIL that
committee.
s In introducing the resolution Mr..
Smith stated that it is practically i'm
possible for members of council tc
give the detailed attention to th>
work that it%requwes.s He eXplamcd
that it has no effect on city council.
The details Of all work of council are
looked aftcr--by the city manager he
explained. Owing TO the rapid growth
of the city at this time its affair
need something more than the time
councilmen can now give the work. He
also stated that business managers
are working satisfactory. in other Vir-
ginia cities.
Afterward Councilman Smith, for
the past ten years member of that
body from the first ward, rendered hi
resignation owing to the fact that he
recently was appointed Common
wealth's attorney, George f. Warfield
was elected to fill the vacancy. Mr..
Wariicld was nominated by Nj. Ru
ben.
On motion of Mr.. Ruben. Mr.. Smith.
the retiring member, was given per
mission to speak and he made a short
address expressing regret at leaving
council aftcn ten years being a mem
her of that body. He told the new
members the Importance of attending
the meetings regularly owing to the
peculiar conditions under which the
city is now working.
Petition for increase Of salary for
Joshua Sherwood, superintendent OF
aims house, was referred to joint
committee on finance and poor.
Resolution approprlatlng 500 for
contingent expenses for corporation
court was referred to finance commit
tee.
Petition of Joseph Rodgers to re
shinple hall of roof of house 1908
King street was referred to street
committee. Permission was granted
Mrs. Kate Waller Barrett to erect ad
dition to porch at i0S Duke street
The resolution of Councilman Smith
follows: Resolved, That special com
| ,,,;ttoa Of two members from each