Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-02-11
INCREASED TAXES
ARE NECESSARY
Council Probably Will Ley
so Cents Additional to
N Meet Deficit
TOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ancil Defers Action on Taking Over
gtreets in East Rosemont-Com-
mnnity Service Wants Armory

Alexandria by next June will have
to increase it's tax rate owing to the
fact that the city faces a deficit be
cause OF the enormous expenses dur,
ing the past year and a fifty cent IN
crease on the $100 assessed valuation
to be set apart exclusively TO,
schools will be the Recommendation OF
the finance tommittee which vii
bring the lax rate up to $3.50 on
the 500.
President H. r. Burke, of common
council, who is chairman of the fin
ance committee, made the foregoing
announcement to that body last night
when the annual ordinance for i'm
posing and collecting licenses. tbs
ordinance fer taxes and merchants
license taxes were presented.
A paper was read by Mr.. Burke re-
|lative of the finances of the city ir
which he recited the increases ir
salaries and appropriations made dur
/ ing the past year and also what's de-
|:manded of the city at the present Tina
| In conclusion Mr.. Burke said tina. the
only way the city can keep her credit
good is by paying her bills and liv-:
/ ing within her expenses.
Resolution anprpprtating the sun
of S2A 600 for continuing the work of
constructing the new public school
building for colored children which
will cost about $4,000 when COM
pleted was adopted. Under the rules
= it was laid over by the board Of al
dermen.
An ordinance providing for the de-.
dieation of the streets and alleys ir
East Rosemont was presented an
after "a. prodracted debate in which
most Of the members of council parti-
ciated, the ordinance was laid owe,
until the snext meeting and: in the
lmeantime resolution that the COM
mittee';on finance and streets report
what streets council will accept in tn
annexed territory will be considered
and reported on with the ordinance.
Resolution that the city counc;
loan the armory to the Alexandria
Community Service and Alexandria
Post No. "a American, Legion for a
year beginning February 10 was
presented by Councilman Ticer, The
reason for the Community Service
wanting to get new quarters was that
it has been notified to move from the
Elks' Hall. The resolution brought
forth considerable debate.
Capt. George H. Evans, represent
ing the Community Service, was given
the floor and he gave detailed
statement CT the various activities
of the Community Service. During the
past three months he said 5000 per-
sons have passed through its doors
and the average attendance is $50 a
night. All of the children of. the city
\ he said belong there and he though!
it not right to measure the matter ir
dollars and cents. Capt. Evans saiG
the community service is permanent
and supported by the citizens Of
Alexandria
The debate was brought about be-
cause it was stated that council only
recently rented the place to Leo NJ
Sweeney at $50 a, month and that Mr.
Sweeney had gone to considerable ex
pense in fitting up teh place ano
buying equipment and that Mr..
Sweeney had an understanding tha
his rent after February l would b,
fixed upon by city council.
The matter was referred to tn
Joint committee on finance and pub
lie property.
Councilman Fletcher asked about
resolution advocating the construc
tion of modern roadway to tn
cemeteries on Wilkes and Alfred t
the cemeteries. He said he understoo
that the sum of s10,500 was to ha,
been recommended at this meeting fl
its construction. Councilman Burl
explained that the city engineer e:
poets to have the cost of eonstrue
ing a sewerson this stssst al the ne:
meeting and tlat the sewer will lra'
TO be laid First.