Evening star., 1901-09-11
ROsslyn.

The absolute necessity for new way Of
approaching Arlington and Fort Myer from
this city Is well revealed by a visit to
those points Of interest. Immediately the
tourist puts his foot upon Virginias soil
he Is confronted with conditions shocking
In their fagrancy and Irritating to the
lover OF the picturesque and the we'll or
dered. The way to the fort and the ma
tfonal cemetery, the Mecca of many thou
sands annually, Is lined with grog-shops
and dives, which are run without the least
regard for the laws or the calendar, afford
ing brazen spectacles continuously from
Monday morning to the close of Sunday
night. Since the abolition of the canteen
at Fort Myer these dens have prospered
and multiplied as never before until Ross
lyn Is a disgrace to the community which
Earbors It's establishments. Peaceful per-
sons seeking merely to pass through to
one Of these two centers OF interest or to
the suburban colonies lying beyond the
imm ediate range of Rosslyns pollution are
frequently menaced by footpads or insuIted
by drunken men. The place has become a
moral pest hole.
Alexandria county has struggled against
this evil for long time but with small
success. 1t was afflicted first with the
gamblers colony at Jackson City Next
st. Asaph with its questionable horse
racing and other tricks to fleece the un-
wary fourished until both places were in
certain degree suppressed through the
joint action Of the authorities of the coun-
ty and those Of the state, inspired by the
moral support of the people Of the Dis
trict. Rosslyn has fourished, however, as
though no victories had ever been scored
n crofn ncf he Hixra -l,aa f,r
shore. 1t is today an impudent defiance
Of law and order. 1t threatens the morals
OF this city as seriously as did Jackson
City when that vile place was In it's fullest
flower. 1t Is even nearer of access, and,
moreover. suggested, 1t lies Immediately
on the way to two important government
establishments, and thus impudently
thrusts It's ugly face before throngs Of
decent people who would avoid 1t only too
gladly If they could.
The construction Of the proposed Me-
mortal bridge would solve one phase Of the
problem, that OF affording q decent ap-
proach to Arlington and Fort Myer. But
at best such a bridge can not be provided
for several years, even should Congress at
the next session pass the requisite legisla-
ton. Meanwhile the moral menace at
Rosslyn remains unchecked. It lures the
youth to gamble. affords illicit access to
vile liquor and shelters lawbreakers Of all
sorts. The first step toward reform must
be taken by the county officials. The peo-
pie OF Washington will aid to the fullest
extent Of their ability. They will serve In
this emergency as they did some years
ago when they carried the case to Rich
mond and secured the cooperation OF Gov
ernor O'Ferrall and the ultimate compare
tive publication of the lower corner of the
county.
Governor Smith has promised to bring
Maryland to the scratch in the treatment
Of the evils at Chesapeake Junction and
vicinity. Will not Governor Tyler do as
much for the capital on the southwestern
border and thereby deliver a stroke as we'll
for the advancement of the substantial in
terests Of the commonwealth?