Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-03-02
SCHOOL IS TO
Be SOLD FOR
TEMPLE Site
Masonic Association Will
Acquire West End
Property
NEW APPOINTMENT
NEW APPOINTMENT
Council Confirms Paul
Morton's Selection !
Mayor Smoot Talks on
Proposed Annexation.

Inc George Washington Ma
sonic National Memorial Associa-
tion desires to secure from the
city by purchase the two-story
brick school building known as
the West End School which build
ing it will eventually raze and
erect on the site a power plant
for its memorial temple according
to a proposition submitted to the
city council by Charles H. Gala
han at a meeting of that body
held yesterday afternoon. After
ward Mayor Smoot announced
that he would at once appoint
special committee TO appraise
the property and have it sold to
the association at the appraise-
ment figures. 1t was explained
by Mr.. Callahan that the mem
orial association probably would
not want TO take possession of the
building for two or three years.
He also explained to The coun-
Gil that the association has secur-
ed practically all of the lott
needed for, its temple and the
Identification of the grounds sur
rounding same. The temple, he
said would cost S4,O00,0O0 when
completed and not $3,0O0,00O as
originally planned and after the
required amount is raised then
there will be an endowment fund
raised. The above school building
was acquired by the city April
/, 1915, when annexation pro-
ceedings became operative, it be-
ing taken over from Fairfax
county. There are four rooms in
the building and at present 120
pupils attend this school, moss
of whom are from West End,
Rosemont and George Washington
Park.
The appointment of Paul Nor
ton, of Richmond, as director of
public safety at salary of ST.
500 a year effective from Janu-
airy Is of this year was read by
City Manager Rich approved by
the city council. Mayor Smoot
stated that as he understood it,
Mr.. Morton was to have super
vision over the police and fire
departments of the city, adding
that he understood more than
$4,000 a year is spent by the
city per year on these depart
ments.
1t was explained by CoLAcil-
man Bryant that the supervisor
will have entire charge of both
the police and fire departments to
which City Manager Rich ex-
planned he will have direct charge
and oversee these departments.
The sum of S499 was appro-
priated for the erection of re-
inforced concrete fire escape on
the north end of Washington
school building on South Wash
ington street. Mr.. Rich in his
report set forth that an iron
fire escape would cost $3.50.
Capt. W. H. Sweeney, superin-
tendent of public schools, accord
ing to a communication receiv-
ed from the city manager will be
unable to assume his duties as as
sistant auditor until April l,
because his successor as super
intendent of schools here will not
arrive until that time. Council
granted permission for the delay
and also at the request of the
manager, recommended that the
new system of keeping accounts
of the city become effective June
|. However, it was stated 1t was
the desire of the council to have
Capt. Sweeney take charge April
i in order to familiarize himself
with the new accounting system
to be installed.
/ In reference TO the incorpora-
ton of Arlington county, Mayor
Smoot said: "There is some agl-
tation in Arlington county re-
garding the proposed incorpora-
ton of that county and if this
matter takes more definite form,
it will be our duty to look after
any interests this city might have
in such legislation.
at is my understanding that
so many of the leading citizens
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