Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-21

ALEXANDRIA, Va, January 2o.-The
| multform business interests of Alexandra
are on sure and upward trend The cilen-
dar year recently concluded has been one of
almost unprecedented material prosperity
10 the city. Not only have private enter
prises grown and fourished. but the finan-
cial affairs of the municipality have been
placed In enviable condition by wise
skillful and economic management the
part Of those entrusted with the public well
fare in the city council and in other depart
ments of the city government
The best thing about it all is that the gen
eral advance has been along safe and sure
lines, which give the best promise of per-
manency. Perhaps never before has the
business outlook for Alexandria been
brighter. But, Notwithstanding adj this the
city has not been visited by a boom in the
common acceptation of that term. Some
concerns have developed with boom-like
rapidly. but the general quickening of
business interests has been of the seadier
nature of gradual maturity and natural
development. 1t is this fact that gives par
ticular strength to the belief in the perma-
nency and extension of the forward move
ment.
Many progressive measures have been
| adopted by the city council with a view of
fostering and encouraging the building up
of the city and the extension of its limits
Means are now being considered for bring
ing into the corporation limits several
suburban towns, especially West End and
Del Ray, which, with the intervening terri
tory, would place the new union passenger
station inside the city.
y great impetus has been given to COM
merce and manufacturing in Alexandria by
the marked Improvement in the past year
III transportation facilities. A boon to the
Washington wholesale trade of the Alex
andria merchants fur
time ago in the new ferry steamer Wood
bury, which the Norfolk and Washington
Steamboat Company placed on the line be-
tween the two cities, supplying a long-feIt
need. Ana then the passenger traffic be-
tween Alexandria and Washington has been
rendered hundredfold more agreeable
and efficient by the double tracking of the
line of the Washington, Alexandria and
Mount Vernon electric road as we'll as the
great Improvement made in the rolling
stock of the company.
Another and a marked Improvement in
passenger and freight transportation facili-
! ties has been effected in the uniting of the
freight and passenger service of the several
steam road lines converging in Alexandria
The new union passenger depot which
with its auxiliary buildings and environ
| ments, cost about $4,000 was opened for
service the latter part of last year While
| 1t Is placed outside the corporation limits, 1t
| is now easy of access by means of the side
walk recently completed on the upper nor
ton of the King street roadway which
leads to the depot.
Excellent Harbor.
The advantages of the excellent harpor
and the deep-water highway to the Chesa-
peake are also being made to contribute
materially to the general commercial and
manufacturing advancement of the city.
Shipping interests at this port have been
accelerated since the deepening of the river
channel allowing vessels of large draught
easy navigation between Alexandria and
the sea. Occasionally vessels are seen at
the wharyes unloading cargoes brought
across the Atlantic.
The construction of great union rail-
road freight yard immediately north of the
city is of much interest in its bearing on
the industrial conditions of Alexandria and
the increase in population. When the yard
is completed 1t win contain many miles of
tracks and will be the daily shifting place
for hundreds of freight cars. The railroad
business to be done there will be on the
largest scale and will necessitate the en-
ployment OF big force of men. The con-
structfon work is now well under way The
| total cost of the yard, it is understood. will
be In excess of 81 .o0o000
While infused with the spirit of progress
the people of Alexandria cherish the wealth
| OF historic associations of the city, going
back over a period of 15S years. Thus the
gocdly heritage OF the past is Joined to the
progressive ambitions for the future In
stead OF encouraging community senti-
ment of ufficiency-the mortal foe to
advancement-the ancient glories of the
city are to be used IN contributing to the
development Of the municipality along the
modern lines of expansion followed now by
| SO many of the thriving cities of the south
The spirit Of inaction, of contentment with
existing conditions. IT is. declared. has been
for many years one of the principal obsta-
| cies In the way OF the Industrial and ma
terial growth of Alexandria. But the nat
ura1 desire for the utilization Of the unus-
uaHy extensive and varied native resources