Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-31
ALEXANDRIA IN 1894.

has rolled around and again Is the GA
zETTE called upon to give another
twelve months resume of the city's
business to its many readers who for SO
long time have learned to consult its
columns for everything in which they
are interested
III, year 1894, in business
sense, will be remembered through
out the country as a dull one,
generally speaking, and it is stat
ed that, the country over, more
men were cut of employment than ever
before. OF course, when whole coun-
try suffers from depression each city
thereof must expect to feel tbs effects,
hut, as everything is by comparison,
AlexanGrians may feel thankful that
this sturdy old city stood the depres-
sion manfully, and was as little hurt by
the hard times as any place in the
country. And why not? Alexandrians
are courageous, help each other and
respond as promptly and as literally to
call for assistance as any other peo-
pie on the green earth. May God con-
tinue to bless and prosper old Belle
Haven.
The growth of Alexandra keeps
steadily on and the limits of the city
are being rapidly extended. Then too,
numerous small towns are growing up
Immediately surrounding the city and
these add to the business and prosperi-
ty of the community of which they
really flrm part. These places are
New Alexandria, North West Alexan-
dria, Del Ray, the ST. Asaph Driving
Park and st. Elmo, which are now con-
nected with the city by the electric
railway and all make Alexandria their
supply market. West End, which, too,
is suburb of Alexandria, is also rapid
growing, more houses having been
erected there during the past two
years thar in any ten years previous
in its history. 1t is believed by many
that in short time some, at least, Of
these places will become incorporated
in Alexandra, whose size and popula-
ton would thus be largely augmented.
The population Of Alexandria is
steadily increasing and each year more
people who do business in Washington
make this city their place of residence,
where the cost of living is so much less.
When il comes better known in Wash
ington that one can have here a COM
Portable home, with ample breathing
space and lots Of room, for few hun
dred dollars as against the thousands
of dollars in that city, and this, too,
with the quickest and best passenger
facilities, there will be great activity in
properties in and near this city. The
advantages ofthis city as place of res
idence have before been set forth in sim
liar articles. Among them are good
schools, low rents, pure water, healthy
location, an excellent market, ETC.,
with rapid and comfortable communi
cation with Washington and all other
points.
Again have the reporters of the GA
zETTE obtained from Alexandria's bust
ness men their views as to the trade of
the city during the past twelve months
as compared with that of the previous
year. From conversations with many
merchants in various branches oftrade it
is learned that in many Of these branch,
es more business was done in this city
during 1894 than in any previous year,
or, 10 use the language of a prominent
merchant, more merchandise was ship
ped to and from Alexandria this year
than during any year ofthe city's his
tory. 1t is true that values have been
lower and margins smaller, but the
bulk of business has increased so that
there has been no falling off in the
amount Of capital invested, but rather
an increase. The merchants Of Alex
andria, as a rule, do bust
ness quietly and without osten-
tatiop, SO until the GAZETTE gives its
annual review of the city's trade, even
comparatively few of the citizens
know what an extensive business is
conducted in their midst.
There are number of very large
and handsome business establishments
here, all of which have very extensive
trade, their territory extending for
miles and miles around, and their es-
would reflect credit on
cities of.treble the size of Alexandria.
Just here it may be stated that several
firms have been instrumental in ex-
tending the trade of Alexandria OF.
the city into more eAne.. .s.nd
.Ra and i Gssaqss would show
ssesdme spirit of enterprise, Alexan-
cria would soon take rank with cities
ofmuch greater pretensions.
The banks have done good business
and have earned the usual dividends.
operating on a moderate cap
ital the Alexandria banks are known
for their stability, and hold high po-
sition in business circles throughout
this section. They have always pur-
sued conservative and liberal course
toward their customers and the COM
and in various ways have as
sisted the business prosperity of the
city.
The grocery ard provision trade has
far exceeded that of any previous year
rs to bulk, though prices have been
lower and margins smaller. 1t is diff
cult to ascertain the amount in money
ofthis trade for the year, but it is esti-
mated at nearly 100000. 1t is gen.
orally admitted now that there is no
better grocery and provision market in
this country than Alexandria. The
wholesale merchants make big pur-
chases, buy as cheaply as any others,
and carry large stocks, while the COM
paratively low rents here and the ex
cellent facilities for handling and ship
ping goods enable them to sell at such
small profits as to attract trade from all
The retail grocery trade
has increased and the merchants carry
a much larger and more varied stock