Evening star., 1951-02-28
First Step Taken
For Alexandra
Fluoride Water
Draft Of Ordinance
Ordered by Council
For Public Hearing

An ordinance providing for
Huoridation Of the Alexandria
water supply was being prepared
today at the request of the city
council.
Since the city is served by the
privately owned Alexandria Water
Co., City Attorney v. Floyd Will
liams said the ordinance will au-
thorize and request use Of fuorine
In the water.
The council asked him to pre-
pare the ordinance last night on
recommendation of the Alexan-
dria Board of Health, which re-
ported that numerous medical,
dental and civic groups in the
city favor the plan.
Councilmen made it clear, how
ever. that preparation of the ordi-
nance is not intended to bind the
council to its adoption. Senti-
ment expressed at public hear
ing on the ordinance after it is
prepared will guide councilmen's
final decision in the matter, they
said.
Tells of Phone Calls.
More education of the public
about fluoridation was urged by
Councilman Albert A. Smoot. He
said number of people had called
him to ask whether it was good
idea and added that one caller
reported being advised by a den-
tist that use of fuorine was bad.
II am sure the local dental
society would like to know who
that dentist was," said DR.. Thomas
F. McGough. city health officer.
He added that the entire Northern
Virginia Dental Society has given
its Endorsement TO the proposal.
This f1uorine process IS past the
experimental stage" Dr. McGough
said. Several hundred cities al
ready are using it successfully.
The idea that there is airy danger
is a bugaboo."
The health officer pointed out,
after the council meeting, that
f1uorine naturally is present in
water in some parts of the coun-
try.
1t was voted to change the city's
fiscal year to begin on July and
end the following June 80. Alex
andria operates on a calendar
year basis.
Would Ease Budgeting.
City Manager w, Guy Ansell
recommended the change, roint-
ing out that all State ALLEGATIONS
are based on the fiscal year begin
ming July /. He said it would
make budgeting easier for the city.
In reply to a question by Mr..
Smoot, the city manager said tax
bills will continue to become due
in the spring and fall.
A $4,000 remodeling project in
city hall, which will provide two
new courtrooms and a law library,
was approved. The city included
SIS, 900 in the current budget for
this purpose. and Councilman Le-
roy S. Bendheim said there Is suf-
f1cient money in the public build
ings bond account to make up the
difference.
Vacated by Lodges.
The new courtrooms and law
library will be located in rooms
formerly occupied by Masonic
lodges that have moved from the
city hall. The project also will
include remodeling of the present
Corporation Court room. Mr..
Bendheim said one of the new
courtrooms is needed because
Alexandria expects to get a new
judge in the near future, and the
second new courtroom will be a
smaller one to be used in equity
cases that require no juries.
On motion OF Councilman Mar
shall j. Beverley, the city manager
was asked to look into raising in
surance coverage for volunteer
firemen from $4,000 to $4,000, in
case they are killed in the line of
duty.
The council agreed to accept
terms of Gov. Battles $500 do
nation for the Northern Virginia
Regional Civil Defense Council.
The Governor allocated the money
with the understanding that the
Northern Virginia communities
would take over full financial op-
GRAFTON of the council in the next
fiscal year.