Her people may seek their fortunes elsewhere and find them, and records have it that in some time or other drift back. No gigantic enterprises have struck Alexandria lately. Recent industries completed here are the large tannery of Mssrs. Home construction was booming in the new northeast suburbs of Del Ray, Braddock Heights and St. Elmo. Building in Alexandria and the suburbs since last fall has been steady, and during the year there have been more tenement houses erected for speculative purposes than in any other like period since the Civil War.
Rents here are cheaper than in Washington and the cost of living is said to be less.
Business slowed generally as a consequence of the depression which began in 1893. Politics During the early 1890s, Henry Strauss led the city as mayor. In retrospect, he is perhaps most notable as Alexandria s first Jewish mayor. Many of his efforts were directed toward the improvement of the city s infrastructure, appearance and safety, including the paving of streets, the construction of sewers, and the removal of derelict buildings. He also recommended the hiring of more police.