Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-02-11

ALEXANDRIA GAZE1
cent visit of a nunbea, Of representa-
tive and business men Of our city. The
floor Of this Chamber has been given
them 10 suggestions, give advice. urge
certain work. or state grievances if
you please, real or imaginary. The
|: City Council has in joint session
heard them courteously and patiently
with my consent and approval They
state a disease but; recommend no
remedy. Voting an appropriation does
not raise money. Resolutions or or
dinances referring to the Finance
Committee lis. notla Sufficient :medi-
cine.
Last 55une a number Of Cur people
clarnored for what was termed an
efficient Health Service. There was
some difference of opinion as to
whether or not its necessity justified
its cost. However, no one in Council
voted against it. Only recently Mr..
Hopinks and others urged the neces
sity of certain improvements on
North Fairfax Street. Alt the last
meeting of Council a member want
ed South Washington Street improv-
ed at a cost $4,000 or $4,000. The
representatives of the School Board,
$4,000 to. finish the new school for
| colored children which will make the
cost of building and lot about $751;
900. The chairman Of School Board
| wants $500 for a lot corner St.
| Asaph and Wolfe and also $500 for
| improving High School Grounds. Now
this brings us to "a consideration of
the so cents addition to the tax. The
State, as previously mentioned allows
the Cities to levy special tax of so
cents for School purposes. That is
the maximum any person can prob
ably prevent a higher figure imposed
| directly. or indirectly. Say the tax
able values are eight millions, 49,
900, 100000. It would provide; $4,000
| less 1-2 per cent for collecting and
! ID per cent to Commissioner of
Revenue for assessing which should
Weld about s3S, 900 provided the usual
discount was not allowed.
These ordinances will be referred
back for passage at the next meet
ing February Oath. I shall patiently
wait and see if any person or any
committee will desire to appear before
Council and ask that these increases
be made. shall also be appreciative
and informed if any one in our City
desires to communicate with the Fin
ance Committee resisting and dis
outing this increase Of fifty centsfor
schools. The requests; not demands,
which have been made for Streets
and Sewer construction, the Fire De-
partment, Police Force, Public School,
Public Debt, The Poor, Health De-
pa1tment ETC., ETC., cannot be met un-
der our present assessment at our
present tax rate. I have not mention:
ed what will be the probable receipts
fiscal year 1920-21. That need not be
discussed now, sufficient to say hardly
as much as. present year, and all will
tbee needed and more, much more.
In referring these ordinances to the
Finance Committee which under the
rules Of Council are changed with
their! eonsideraHtiioo on On, lit cam said my
reference to committees appearing be-:
fore Council and asking for ;appro-
prations !se,, is NOT intended las
hallenge to their Judgement, interest
sora rights, hut first tolfetilist their
corporation in keeping, our :eSpendi-
lures within our receipts and second,
to have them point the way to Pro-
duce more money, and not, ask the
finance committee to- go on spending
trusting to luck.
A thing. may be desirable, may be
claimed as essential, but may not be
really necessary. Indeed; it speaks
better as to ones character or reputa-
ton to wear an old suit Of clothes
which he has paid for, than to get
one on credit, then borrow money to
pay, and in the end curtail and cur