Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-09-18
A Bridge Across the River
ALEXANDRIA. Va Sept. Is,

To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
Dear Sir: In view of the present move
msnts of enlerpri.iug residents of Maryland
and the District and the probable action by
Congress ut the coming session regarding a
new bridge acroes the Eastern Branch at the
foot of south Capitol or First streets, 1t has
occurred 10 me the grea desirability and
the direct advantage to be derived by Alex
sndria city and county If a bridge should be
bait across the Potomac from the bluffs at
the northeast end of the city to the
ovposi,e shore at or near Shepherds. There
ia lille doubt that within few year a
bridge will span the Eaatern Branch at the
foot of First or south Capitol street and q
handsome Avenue opened through the Dis
trict from this bridge along the bluffs 'front.'
log he Potomac Already popular senli
ment is turning In this direction, an associa-
tion has been formed of residents OF Mary.
land aud the District 10 urge the building OF
this bridge and the surveys are in progress
for the extension of south Capitol street to
the District line at present, these desiring
to reach Washington from Alexandria are
compelled to drive by way Of the Aqueduot
bridge over bad road impossible in winter,
distance Of 81 miles 10 reach the c5ntre OF
Wa ahiugton city or run the risk OF their
lives driving along the railroad track and
over the Long Bridge Should bridge be
built from Alexandria it would reduce the
d:.t.nce miles, which could be readily
trsyers d IN little longer than ia now re
uuired ON the cars and with perfect safety
o ones life. II would naturally induce the
owe Cow OF Washington city to come here
and 1--we where they can purchase homes at
rsles far cheaper than they are now doing
in suburban places, and 10 miles distant
from Washington. Actually 1t is deplors'
BILE fact as we'll know from large expert
ence in the sub division of Washington sub
bnrban property, that land in Alexandria
city-where we have unsurpassed drinking
water, the advantages Of schools, churches,
water gas, electric light I'VE nopel, police
and paved streets (even if they are rougbl-
can to-day be bought cheaper than laud in
the District, 10 or even 15 miles from Wash
inptop, where one Is offered lot la a field
for f, ou to 5 cents square foot or at the
,.,. of $500 or $4,000 per acre. Certainly
there must be something radically wrong
with the residents OF our city to allow this to
20 on. With due regard for those arguing
to the lontrsry, firmly believe, and am
not alone in my opinion, that the nearer we
are drawn, the more closely our interests are
identified with those of growing, prosper
GUS city like Washingt as the
capital of our nation, bids fair to cover the
entire dstrlct-,he more prosperous our CITY
will be.
The construction of this bridge across
from Alexandra would bring to our city a
large percentage of those now hauling their
marketing to Washington, and our mer'
chan would 5000 feel the advantage gain
ed by sales from that section of the District
and Maryland. Cannot some action be ia
ken By our representatives in CyDgress to-
wards the construction of this bridge? Ii
would we'll repay Alexandria city and coun.
ty to make liberal appropriation towardf
this work, and urge this route for the pro.
posed Mount Vernon avenue. The admira-
bic recommendations made by our honora-
BILE Mayor to Council it is to be hoped
may have some effect in arousing spirit Of
i'm mediate action towards improving our
city aud offering advantages to induce pur
chasers to invest here.
It would add greatly toward enhancing the
value of the property in the northwest sec
lion of the city to open up and grade all the
streets within the city limits, and thus show
the amounts of valuable land within the
city tina can be purchased at rates start
lingy low compared to what ia now being
paid for homes In and around Washington
city. Respectfully.
D J. HOWELL.