Evening star., 1902-02-12
ALEXANDRIA'SF FEELING
MANY CITIZENS FAVOR RETRO
CESSION MOVEMENT.
Senator McMillan's Bill Has Provoked
Considerable Discussion-Views
of Two Persons.

Senator McMillan's bill for the retroces-
sion Of Alexandria county, Va, to the Dis
trict of Columbia, of which II was part
prior to 1916. has provoked considerable
discussion among the people of the neigh
boring city and county. There Is appar-
entIy a growing sentiment in favor of the
passage of the bill. The Alexandria Ga
zette, which, by the way, Is strenuously
opposed to the measure. prints an Interview
with Mr.. Park Agnew, chairman of the re-
publican state committee and internal reve-
nue. collector for the Alexandria district.
as being strongly of the opinion that the
United States government should reacquire
the whole Of Alexandria county"
Mr.. Agnew's Opinion.
Mr. Agnew Is quoted as saying:
"As a matter Of fact. this land should
never have been ceded back to Virginia,
and we can at this time realize that 1t
would have been Infinitely better to have
retained it as part of the District. In my
talks with business people and citizens gen.
orally Of our town and county have found
a strong sentiment in favor OF getting back
into the District.
"A few people are opposed to it. mainly
because they fear such change might in
terfere with them in the holding Of some
state office. It would be a glorious thing
for Washington to have the District boun-
daries thus enlarged. Within the city there
is no room for manufactures. and conse-
quently there will be. under present condi-
tions. large element Of the capitals popu-
lation without means OF livelihood.
There are not enough federal Offices for
every man to get job, nor will the pay
roll Of Uncle Sam support more than a
fraction of the residents, as the population
grows. The remedy for this state of things
is to build up great settlement of bread
winners and wage-earners on the other side
Of the Potomac 1t is too bad to have the
splendid atmosphere OF Washington defiled
with the smoke of manufacturing plants.
Across the river it wouldn't matter. and
there all the mills and shops or the DIS.
trict could fined homes.
There are other reasons of a social and
moral nature unnecessary to dwell upon.
that make 1t desirable for the District to
recover this lost territory, and 1 earnestly
hope that the present Congress will take
favorable action on the bills that have been
offered In Congress with view to reac-
QUESTION:
Feeling of the People.
Mr. o. p. Angelo of Alexandria, who Is
connected with the Agricultural Depart
ment, and who has given the subject much
attention, commenting upon Mr.. Agnew's
interview today, said:
There is no Disgusting the fact that q
very large percentage OF the people Of
Alexandra see the importance Of once more
becoming part of the District Of Columbia.
I have talked with a great number of our
citizens, and know that there is a feeling
that they would like an opportunity Of reg
istering their opinions at the polls. / be-
lieve. were 1t left to a vote. those In favor
of retrocession would carry by an unmis-
taxable majority.
"The people Of Alexandria are interested
in street improvements. cheaper and better
gas. cheaper water rents. taxes In proper
tion to the value Of property and induce
ments that win bring manufacturing enter
prises to our city and county. I heartily
indorse Mr.. -Agnewss expressions and I
know Of great many Aiexandrians who
feel az do" -