Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-06-09
Arguments Made Before
Joint Session Of Council
Last Night
TO ACT FRIDAY NIGHT
Attorneys {. Keith Carlin and Carter
Hall Oppose-AttGrney Leo =. Har-
lew Presents Campany's Side.

After hearing arguments on beth
sides for and against the proposed in
crease in rates asked for by the Alex
ardr;a County Lighting Company for
the use of electricity council last night
deferred action on the matter until
next Friday night when q special meet
ing will be held and hope was express
ed by President Burke that every
member Wi! attend. Practically the
entire session Of council was taken up
with the matter. and t was after II
o'clock before an adjournment was
taken.
A joint session of council was held
for the purpose Of hearing the argu-
mants on the proposition and it was
called TO order by President F. T. Mar
bu,gy cf the board of aldermen at $50
o'clock ard it was Ills O'Clock when
it ended
n,motion of Alderman wilkins the
amendment to the ordinance whereby
the Lighting Company asks for an n
crease was read.
Attorney Leo P. Harlow. represent
ing the Alexandria County Lighting
Company, was first questioned by
President Burke regarding certain
provisions Of the ordnance relating
10 the settlement Of the matter by ar
bitration as ,proviiedS IN The pro
posed ordnance. ,--
Attorneys c. Keith Carl:n and Car
ter Hall appeared 70 protest aga:ns;
the increase as asked for IL the amend
mcnt and Mr.. Carl:n presented a pe;i-
ton signed by more than eighty per-
sons protesting against the proposed
increase.
George y. Hopkins. secretary and
treasurer Of the Old Dominion Glass
Company. who was among the spec
:ators, stated that he had been inform
ed that the proposed increase would
ret have any effect on motive power
and added that since coming to coun-
ci h. had been Informed that his de-
ducat.onS were correct Inasmuch as
they had not proposed to change the
price for such he said he had no cb-
lection as he thought they were clear
!y entitled to an increase as are all
other corporations that use coal.
Attorney Harlow suggested that
Mr. Caglin be given the floor frs 20
present his side Of the case and this
was done.
Mn Carln stated that he was pre-
sent not opposing the increase but cp-
posing the increase as proposed. He
had blackboard which he used in
making figures in connection with his
argument. He opened by declaring he
did not represent H. P. Wilson Of
Holm Hall Fairfax county. Mr.. VIII
son he asserted had controversy with
The Alexandria County Lighting Com
pany which he handled.
Among other things he suggested
hat an expert be employed 10 90 over
the company's books and he estimated
that the increase would yield the COM
pany $4,000 additional revenue an
nua,ly. Tie gross earnings of the
company he said were about S250.0Oo
ard that there are 1886 users Of elec-
,ric:ty.
Concluding his remarks he said that
the burden would fall on the poor man
ard declared It should be distributed
more couitably than at the present
time
Attorney Harlow said he didn't
know who there was in the fight and
he protested against council baing
used as '.catspaw" and he said n
s.l! contended Mr.. Carlin was the al
sorney for H. P. Wilson.
Scne of the citizens who signed tie
petition Mr.. Harlow asserted claimed
they did so under misapprehens:on.
The facts hat onlv so odd persons
signed :te petition of protest he said
was significant If they thought the
I mater was urgent he declared they
world be present. The company, he
said. was wiling 70 thrash the mat
tar out in the full light Of publicity
Continuing he said: The time IS
reached where the company cannot
operate under the present revenue
The books of the company he said are
open TO council. In reference to pow