Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-12-30
SHALL WE PREVENT IMPROVE
MENTS?

MENTS?
To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
understand an effort is teing made
to induce the Legislature lot 10
pass bill allowing the use cf The side
track on Wilkes street, fronting c. {.
Smoot & Sons ianDery. II this Is SO,
IL is serious mistake, in my opinion,
from business standpoint, aud The
effort must arise from misapprt her
sion of facts and should the move
prove successful will most undoubtedy
result in great detriment TO the CITY.
To thoroughly understand the situation
i it must be reviewed and space is re-
qu,sied for the purpose.
The taDnery was built in 1870 III
the railroad track along Wilkes str 1t
was authorized by Council 10 1919 snd
by The Legislature in 1850. 10 1865 an
ordinance was passed by the Civ
Council permitting the laying OF me
| side track in front of the lannery.
For upwards of 30 years thereafter me
side track was used for business pu.-
poses, as are used in all large
cities and manufacturing and CONNER
cal towns all over the Uni.ed S.a,es.
An effort was then made through
the courts to have the track or
Wilkes street torn up, but the court
sustained the railroad in right 10
che use OF the street. but denied the
right OF Council to grant the use Of the
switch to a private frm. and the :. il
was closed-not torn up, not remov-
ed, not in any way interfered wi b, bus
simply closed so ss to prevent one e.
the largest firms in the city from using
it and thus materially lesseniDg tbels
expenses and preventing damage 10
their goods which are liaole to serious
injury from too rough handling, AID
which is compelled to compete with
one of the most gigantic of American
| monopolies.
This firm now handles from one to
three cars week. They are arrene
ing for and had hoped to increase
largely their business in this city, pre-
vided they could secure the same lrsps-
portation facilities offered elsewhere.
The railroad company runs over the
main track hundreds Oh cars daily.
many of which go through the city ard
are OF no benefit to Alexandria. Is
seems hard, therefore, thst n firm t
tablished for over twc-shirdS Of a &c.
fury, Tor in fact any business fru
should be denied so simple privilege
rs to be afforded the means of iacli at
ing their business, especially when they
are anxious from patriotic motives, Il
no other, to largely increase their fusi
mess here. If the railroad had been de-
ued the right 10 the use OF the street
then property values might have increased
but 90 long az tho road is down and ruuuin
so long Will the property values be k,pi
down except for business pur poses, ana II
the street is to be used for bushes, alone the
greater the facilities for business that arc
given the better for the city and the property
along tie etreet. This matter is not one OF
sentiment or friendship 1t is purely one OF
business, aud as 1t presents itself to m ! an
compelled t, say that should The ttlprt sur
ceed to prevent the application of the hesr
Smoos & Son, Company that it would he
riou. blow to the introduction of iutu
manufactures and heavy business in Aiexau
dria.
The idea has gotten abroad that the Z;
provide, for additional side tracks, etc. I.ls
is an error. AL that is asked is That the fir
be allowed 10 use the one now down sn.
which has been in use for upwards OF tailiy
years and for which they paid to b1ii; ontg
that this great ht m industry SHOULD be give
equal opportunities now being offered 10 80
eign industries that we are al urging TO loc,.s
in our midst.
Alexandria has g'e,t opportuni:ie1 It'd
M Ia N har u he h., T. H., & n
be realized or lost. 10 succeed it must DC run
upon business plano that viii enute II
the dignity of q city. Other8ise 1t viii
generate into t pwn--a town such as II h.
been represented to be-one borse in the FIR
degree. To bs citS it must put on city "
and act as n city, forgetting the ind v,du
and remembering only the clty's giod
between tho wishes of few indy iusl- tr
the good Of . large factory giving mploymeit
to half hundred hands it will not take 10
to decide where the city s interest lie. Then
can be no progress, no street improvement. 10
mercantile and mai ufacturiDg acv,nc, IN IJ
upon narrow lines and personal preference
The road to success lies slong the broad pih
of modern up-to-dste work economy sid
determination to meet and beat ccmpetitop.
Can this be done if other cities sand towns CIV
greater advantages than We? If men ca
move in the country and hulld warehous
and ship goods easily as from here at
cost are they likely TO stay here? Can cipifi
be induced to invest In a pl'ce which docs
no; afford the most economical means o. snl.
ment2 or course net l trust may be'Z-
cused for thus givii my views upon the III
ter but the fact is [ returned here cary
year ago determined TO prove rs far as m
work could that Alexandria was worth "a
the good things of this earth.
have to the very best of my poor ciI4c =
done what lay in my power to prove ny ia
by my works and was about entering into +.
business to try and bring both capt an
labor here, but shou d the people OF A'e1s'-
dris say they are willing to throw obstacles
in the path of manufacturers in such slmp.a
thing as this what would they not do IN In'r'
important ones, and what indnceme' car J.
or any one else, cffer to bring others her "he"
our own people through fatal MISTAKES "to
driven from business. Wba, gooc VII o II
sesqui Centennial accomplish? Whit On iu'o
have We to secure The assistance oil cap IA ~
develop our latent advantages il we 80 u
utter inability t. comprehend business pr
cipals, frat among which is to secure 20 Ia
the most economical aeu ueis
trausportst Ga f,cilitie3
Trusting that / may not be mistaken D.
my readers and assuring them that NV ann
alone is to promote the welfare OF Aiexai-
cria rem .in, very respet fully,
ALEX. J. WEDDERBUES
AleIandris, Vs., December 30.