Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-04-18
WANT NEW FERRY LINE.

Meeting of Wholesale Grocers-WhI
Petition Norfolk and Washington
Steamboat Company to EstaDilsh
Line of Up-to-date Ferryboats.
The fact that but one ferryboat Is now
run between Alexandria and Washing
ton and that bi-hourly trips are made,
has for several weeks caused consider
able commentin the business and travel
ing portion of the community, ana last
night the wholesale grocers OF the city,
who are most seriously affected by the
unsatisfactory conditions now existing,
held a meeting and inaugurated move
ment toward the establishment OF an
other line of ferry boats. This measure
has been regarded as inevitable. The
one boat now plying between the two
cities is liable to break down at any
time. and in such an event the whole
sale grocers, especially, a considerable
portion of whose trade Is IN Washing
ton. would find their business crippled.
The officials of the present company
have been telling the public for some
time that they are looking for another
boat. but. so far as can be learned, there
is no likelihood of one being secured In
the near future-at least the officials
here are unable to enlighten any one on
the subject. Summer is now almost at
our doors. The travel by the ferry line
will naturally increase. The fact that
the additional boat is mot here is almost
proof conclusive that the Columbia Will
be the only steamer on the line this
year.
Realizing all this, and with no purpose
of antagOnizing the present line or OF
inaugurating competitor with any other
mode of communication with the capital
city. the merchants, in their own interests,
met last night and determined to use
every endeavor to have new ferry line
established should the present company
fail to heed their appeals for more salts
factory facilities.
The matter was fully discussed by those
present from every standpoint and 1t
was unanimously decided to petition
Mr.. John Callahan, general manager OF
the Norfolk and Washington line OF
steamers, to put on two up-to-date ferry
boats between this city and Washington
Also that he be asked to fix a date when
he will meet committee of citizens anC
listen to their proposals.
In the meantime committee OIL
citizens will be appointed to appear be
fore the board of directors of the present
ferry company and explain to them the
disadvantage experienced by this com
munity by the running of but one boat
Petitions looking to the betterment o
the present ferry facilities or the inaug
uration of new line will be placed in tn
various drug stores of the city for the sig
natures of both ladies and gentlemen VIII
travel by ferryboat between Alexandra
and Washington.
The following members of the Alexandra
Wholesale Grocers Association were appoint
ed on the committee to wait upon the steam
boat officials; r. l.. Garrett, X: l.: Monroe
J. II. Crilly. S. f. Lindsey, +. +. Lawler, ;
B. Fisher II. Kirk, jr., F. T. King and Z.
Harper. .-,
The following persons were also appointed
w b. Smoot. W. A. SmOOt, jr., g. ID. Hop
8 kins. F. J. Pafi, Robert Portner, a. |
Brockett II. X. Field, j. r.. n. Curtin, u. !
Boothc. .jno. T. Sweeney, q. l.. Simpson, "
p. Graves. w. p. WoOlls, Jas. Patterson, ii
+. Robertson. J. II. Trimyer, +. +. Down
, ham, c. c. Leadbeater, Walter X oberts an
: +. V. Risheill.