Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-02-12
VHTE MANNED JAPAN CAUSES WORRY RAISE TAXES and GAS

D Council Increase Levy on Propert
From $3.50 to 81 on S1O0-Price o
Gas Made s1.4O 1000 Feet-Witl
Discount Will be s1.3O.
City taxes and city gas were in
creased last night by the common
council.
The tax rate was increased from
$3.50 on the 500 on all real estate
ana tangible property to 50 on The
500 assessed valuation for the fscaI
year beginning June l, 1919 and end
ing May 81. 1920.
1t is provided in the bill that the
usual discount of five per cent if paid
by July /, and three per cent if paid
by September l shall be given. A pen
atty of five per cent is added December
J., and a penalty of six per cent col
,ected from delinquents June l, 1920.
President H. R. Burke took the
fobr and said the committee was loath
TO bring in such report and that the
funds under the prevailing rate of
taxation would be insufficient to meet
the expenditures for the coming year.
A financial statement of the city's
affairs then was read by Mr.. Burke
The increased taxation will yield the
city approximately $1,000 additional
revenue which will mean that in city
:axes during the coming year Alex
andria will receive S205,000. Alexan-
;iria last year spent $270,000.
The price of gas was increased from
81. so thousand feet with thirty
cents off 1000 feet for prompt pay
ment to 81. 40 1000 feet with ten
cents off the 1000 feet for prompt
payment. This practically makes the
gas S1.30 1000 feet with no dis
count, or in other words the old rate
minus any discount.
The increase was necessary accord
ing to Councilman Wattles, who said
that during the past seven months the
:ity had operated the gas plant at 4
.oss of $4,000 owing to the increased
cost of production.
Councilman Desmond suggested that
the city blow out the gas
pipes when they become clogged.
4 resolution of Councilman Wat
tlcs to make an additional borrow or
1900 for the city gas plant for i'm
provements was referred to the fin
ance committee. Already the city has
borrowed $4,000 for improvements at
this plant caused by building new re-
;orts and laying line of pipe in East
Ro>emont.
Under the rs,les the tax and gas
increases were laid over in the Board
# Aldermen.
Appeal For Society Made
A committee composed of Miss Fan
nie S. Herbert, Mrs. D. J. Howell.
Mrs. Taylor Burke and Mrs. William
Campbell appeared in common council
and made a. plea for an annual ap-
of $500 for the Anti
Society.
Or behalf of the society Miss Her
BERT spoke in which she said that in
,yI5, 1916 and 1917 the city council
cave 5000 annually to this society
but in 1918 made no appropriation.
She outlined the work done by that
organization since its inception.
Miss Herbert and Mrs. Campbell
addressed the aldermen in the interest
IF The work,
Afterward Councilman McCaffrey
offered resolution approprating $500
to this society and it was referred to
the Joint committee on Finance and
Health.
The health department reported
that during January there were thirty
tx deaths in the city of which number
12 were from pneumonia and one from
influenza. A total of 1886 cases of in
:ilenza were reported for the month.
Letter from Mayor Fisher relative
to rental of the armory was referred
20 the public property committee.
Health department recommended
construction of sewer and modes OF
construction for southeastern section
cf the city.
Appropriations Asked.
Resolution of Councilman Fletcher
approprating $4,000 for purchase OF
dump motor trucks for city service
referred to finance and street COM
nlittees. Resolution appropriating So
900 to purchase street sweeper ano
L.