Evening star., 1950-11-15
Council Records
Intent 10 Build
Sewage Plant
Resolution Pledges
Steps to Finance
Alexandria System

The Alexandria City Council
today is on record officially for
the first time as planning con-
struction of a sewage disposal
system next year.
A resolution adopted by Council
last night declares that the city
favorsi establishment, construc-
ton, maintenance and operation
of a sewage disposal system" and
that, "as soon after January
as practicable and expedient,
the Council will take such steps
as may be required by law to
finance the said system
City heads unofficially disclosed
earlier this week that they plan
to request a referendum on a
sewer bond issue of about 81
million. The city already has
complete plans and specifications
for a disposal system that can
be let out for construction bids
as soon as money is available.
In proposing the resolution last
night, Councilman Marshall Bev-
erley declared that Alexandria
stands alone" in not moving ahead
to abate pollution of the Potomac
River, since Arlington and Faiar-
fax recently approved bond issues
for sewage disposal.
Effective Plant Planned.
Alexandria officials say the city'S
disposal plant, however, will be
the most effective on the Potomac
River when it is built.
A new traffic ordinance, pat
termed after model national ordi-
nances, was approved at first read
ing and set for a public hearing
on January g. A committee OF
Leroy S. Bendheim. Mr.. Beverley
and James M. Duncan was ap-
pointed, however, to study the new
ordinance for possible revision. Mr..
Bendheim said he objected to some
features of the ordinance because
it could be too stringent if in
terpreted literally.
The following persons were
named as the first members of the
city's new trial board for police
men, firemen and other city en-
ployes: DR.. Jack Roberts, the Rev
o. v. Chamberlin, Neville Hall,
Bruce Silcox and Julian White
stone.
To Buy Lodge Rooms.
The council appropriated SIC, 900
to buy two large rooms in a por-
tion of the city hall from the
Alexandria Washington Masonic
Lodge. The lodge rooms, which
are on the second and third floors
Of the Cameron street side Of city
hall, were built first in 1902 by the
Masonic group by special agree
ment with the city. After the city
hall burned in the 1870's, the lodge
rebuilt its rooms ~atop the first
floor of the building. which was
owned by the city.
The lodge during the past year
moved to the George Washington
National Masonic Temple, and no
longer uses the rooms. The city
proposes to use them for a new
courtroom, a law library. and other
city offices in some small adjoining
rooms.
The city council adopted a res
olution of thanks to the city de-.
partment heads for their work on
the annexation suit against Fair
fax County which Alexandria
won. Councilman Albert Smoot
pointed out that, with one excep-
ton, all of Alexandria's witnesses
were city employees. He said
many cities find it necessary to
put a number of outside experts
on the stand.
Saving on Maps Cited.
Mr.. Smoot specifically praised
the Engineering Department.
which is headed by c. Luckett
Watkins, for its preparation Of
charts and maps used in the suit.
He said this had saved the city
thousands of dollars.
City Manager w. Guy Ancell
reported that a site for a SWIM
ming pool for colored has been
bought for $780, instead of $10.-
600, as was appropriated. The
site is adjacent to the new Parker
Grey High School for colored.
The council adopted resolu-
ton indicating the city's inten-
ton to participate in a Virginia
National Capital Park Authority
and appointed City Planning Di-
rector Philip B. Hall as its repre-
septot tive On tho prolIn