Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-07
COUNCIL TO FIGHT
HIGH WATER RATES
City Officials to Battle Ef-
fort to Boost
Charges.
BY HOWARD M. BAGGETT,

ALEXANDRIA, va, november L.
City Council at its regular meeting yes
terday unanimously agreed to wage a
strong fight before the State Corpora
ton Commission against the proposed
increases in water rates sought by the
Alexandria Water Co. in a schedule
filed with the commission. Some of
/ the rates are 40 per cent over the
present figures, with the total increase
to consumers estimated at $4,000
annually.
City Attorney Carl Budwesky was
directed to carry on the fight in the
name of Council and was empowered
to obtain any additional legal talent or
any other expert advice he might need.
The resolution for the protest was intro
duced by Vice Mayor Edmund F. TIGER.
Councilman Arthur Herbert, in speak
ing on the subject, said that he felt
the water company had shown little
consideration In bringing the matter
up at this time.
Declares Increases Will Hurt.
Budwesky said that by next Thurs
day he expected to have data on the
financial set-up Of the company and
would be able to advise Council as to
what help he would need in the matter.
Before action of Council C.. L. Stricken
of Cottage Park appeared and cited
how the increase would affect the in
veStmeSte OF real estate men and klrt
the city. capt. T. M. Hamilton also
appeared and made a speech before
Council, asking them to act In the
matter Of the rate increases.
A communication was received from
@. j. Cox, jr., clerk of the school board
asking for the appropriation of 1925, OOO
Tor the proposed new high school build
ing at West and Cameron streets, and
also requesting conference to discuss
the reason for the request. On motion
OF Councilman G. G. Lamond the mat
ter was received and the conference will
be arranged. The proposed new high
school, plans for which have already
Deen made public, would combine Alex
andria and George Mason High Schools
and allow the establishment Of the
junior high school system.
School Board Member Elected.
e. E. Lawler was reelected to the
school board by council for a three-year
term following notification from the
board that his term expires December
l. On suggestion Of the board, Dr.
j. T. Ashton was elected to the school
board for a three-year term, effective
December /, to fill the vacancy created
when Arthur Herbert resigned on his
election to city council.
Communication was received from DR.
H. E. Cross indorsing the resolution
recently passed by the local Rotary
Club calling on the council to continue
public improvement work during the
Winter as an aid to unemployment
City Manager Wallace Lawrence then
submitted a program of street and
sewer improvements, at a total cost of
fn1 80 1Rf~
work Is sewer construction, Lawrence
said, due to the fact that street work
cannot be done In cold weather.
council then placed on first reading
ordinances appropriating $500 for an
extension Of Hooff's Run sewer to Belle
fonte avenue; 81 $50 for a sanitary
sewer on Masonic View avenue, from
Russell road to Junior street; $3.50 for
sanitary sewer on Russell road south,
from Glendale avenue to Braddock ave-
nue.; $4,000 for a combined sewer on
Braodock road, from Royal avenue to
Russell road, and 1925 for construction
OF surface treated gravel road on
Summers Drive, from Russell road to
Junior street, the last named provided
property owners pay their 81 ,458 share
of this work.
Taylor Burke of the board of ap-
pralserS stated that it would not be
necessary Tor the board and council
representatives 30 go to Richmond In
the interest OF having public service cor
poraIlonS assessed at full valuation, as
other city property has been in the new
assessment just completed, as they had
been assured that this would be done
and figures would be sent to Richmond
to cover the matter.
communication was received from
Mrs. Frank King asking that the appro-
priation for the Alexandria Hospital be
increased, and on motion of Vice Mayor
I1cer this was received and will be
budget is made UP. The letter cited
the additional work placed on the hos
pttal by the increase in the size Of the
city and the larger number of auto
mobile accidents.