Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-04-21
COMMUNICATED.
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.

We read everything over the sigma.
ture of flames Bayoe," and we agree
with him more frequently than other.
wise. But we think his deductions Tin
Wednesdays Gszstie) wherein he as
cribs the depreciation OF real estate
values here to the condition OF our
streets are erroneous. For several years
before the war between the Ststes, our
city was forging ahead on the highway
to prosperity. surprising even those
who were the prime movers in the pre-
CO sion, but not one word OF complaint
with regard to the condition OF our
streets WAS heard. Jenkins q Limb
din were employing hands in Philadel-
phia to work in their new factory here
10 order to prepare the work for the
Lumerons 6rst-cass houses then belUg
erected. Smith & Perkins's extensive
machine shops and foundery employed
enough hands to support a dozen gro
ceries. The c, tton factory was bee
hive, The Pioneer Mills bought and
CONVEX ted into -four all the whea
raised in this section and the valley,
and cOopers were more numerous here
then than tramps are now. Green's
furniture factory was turning out work
tnat found It's way TO New Orleans sno
st. Louis, Smoot'5 tannery was draw
log sheckles from every quarter OF the
country. Martins ale helped the
cause, and numerous smaller concerns
distributed thousands OF dollars among
the industrious arlizsns. Our wbarvee
were lined with commOdiOus ware
houses, and sll occupied with live busi-
nes. meo, aid the Potomac was CAV
with sail and steam craft, and moun-
iains of coal were received by canal AID
resbipped to northern ports; and lsst,
but not least, we had our Fishtown,
the rent of the wharve netting the city
more 10 one year tb N it has in twenty
years since. Then cur b st tinspciers
we're elected to the City Council and
vet no one moved that We borrow mon
ey to besutify the streets. The cruel
war; came upon us like hash OF
lightning. Our trade was pafalyzed at
once, and our leading tradesmen either
fell on the field of battle, or. finding
themselves bankrupt, became scatter
ed and most OF them have since "cross'
ed the river." Baltimore took up the
cue aud finished the game. But Baltl'
more never expended one cent on
streets in order to attract custom. The
improvements she made were for her
own convenience, and because she could
afford it and until Shepherd took charge
of streets 10 Washington, we were
satisfied. But Washington's streets
were not improved In order to at rsct
trade. The sole aim of Washington is
to pose as the social centre of the coun-
try where retired nabobs can loo ),
and where their daughters can spread
themselves. Mr.. Bayne quotes figures
TO show that real estate Is dropping.
Every owner of "a house who wants TO
sell confirms his statement. But II we
borrow money We must pay int1rts,
and in order to meet Our obligations
we must advance the rate OF taxation.
Will not higher taxes lead to farther
depreciation? Miles of streets iu Bal
,imore are no bettsr than ours, but BUS
mess goes on and Baltimore grove.
Let US cease advertising the fact that
we are 999 years old. and that Cnrlstt-
Dher Columb bus was married to John
Sm. tn by Pocahontss IN the market
house steeple 10 1929. or thereabouts;
change the names of many OF our
streets to good United States names,
and stop talking about laying carpet on
our streets 10 please the eye OF the tour
ist. What does the tourist buy here !
Nothing but boat or car ticket. and
the profit on thst goes across the
Potomac. Then after viewing our
relics he goes home and lies
about us. Let our home folks
patronizs home stores. Its CALLING to
us to see the Washington furniture
wagons, or the dry goods wagons, wear
ing out the tires OF their wheels over
our rough etree,s in their effort to de
liver the goods bought and paid Tor oy
Alexandria matrops and maidens. Let
us change our policy-buy at home and
sell abroad-thereby helping our trades
men to build larger stores aud more OF
them. Then let the moneyed men
build a department factory building
with power attached, suitable for small
capitalists to begin manufacturing.
Then you will see real eetate take a
healthy convalescence. L. V. n.