Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-31
THE CLOSING YEAR.

The sands of the year 1904 will have
run out when the clock in the City Hall
strikes the midnight hour. Its success
sor will, as usual, be hailed by the ring
ing Of bells and other manifestations of
JOY, and the old year will then have
become back nuIaber.
There has been but little during the
year OF startling nature. 1t is true a
bloody struggle has been in progress
since early spring between Russia and
Japan, but this was seen to be immiaent
several years ago Probably more than
she average number of railroad horrors
have occurred, while marine disasters,
deaths from accidents, commissions of
nature &c, have, so far as can be seen,
not greatly exceeded those of former
years. The increase in crime, how
ever, has attracted attention, and this
feature has caused considerable COM
mcnt; especially during the past few
months.
Locally there has been much TO at
tract attention during the year now
about to close, and there is reason to
believe that Alexandria has in a measure
undergone transition in the last twelve
months which has placed the city, from
a commercial point of view, in a more
satisfactory condition than has existed
for some years past. There have been
additions to the ranks of mechanics and
wolkmen, and the fact that suitable
dwellings have been in demand, property
values enhanced and rents increased
shows that additional demands are be-
ing made upon Alexandria.
The banking institutions of the city
she most accurate thermometers
received an impetus Two of the older
institutions have realized that their
quarters were too contracted. One has
aiieady erected a fine and modern build
iug, while another has secured one ofthe
most prominent corners on King street
where a new and commodious building
will soon be placed. Another national
bank has been organized and is now one
of the city's solid institutions, and a
new banking and trust company is en-
gagged in metamorphOsing large King
street store into a modern bank build.
ing,
The Alexandria fertilizer companies,
which have contributed greatly toward
making this city base of supplies for
contiguous sections of Virginia, West
Virginia and Maryland. have found their
business hampe-ed by contracted quar-
lcrs and have greatly extended their
plants.
The above are only the more prOmi-
uent enterprises which have expanded
re emily. Nearly all others in the city,
large and small, have experienced the
effect of increased demands.
The wholesale trade of the city is hold
its its own against the competition of
other cities, and Alexandra, being in
position to furnish many articles more
speedily and at less cost of transpOrts-
lion than other places, is likely to hold
ats trade
The retail merchants have had moth
ing special to complain of during the
year. In fact in many branches there
has been much in the way Of increased
sales to encourage those engaged in mer-
camille pursuits.
The manufacturing interests of the
city have kept to the front. In some
cases the lumber dealers and those con-
Quoting mills have been kept busy filling
orders, and night work has been COM
mon.
The new railroad work around Alex
andria has given employment to thOus.
ands of men, aud Alexandria has been
the depot OF supplies for most of them.
The construction of the new union
yards north of and adjoining Alexandria