Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-02
WIDENING ITS SCOPE
DESIRE FOR INCORPORATION IN
ALEXANDRIA COUNTY.


Special Correspondence Of The Star.
DEL RAY. Va, June 1, 1907.
The recent action of the Citizens I'm
provement Association of jefferson District,
Alexandria county, Va, in taking steps
looking to the Incorporation of the sub
divisions of Del Ray and st. Elmo. has
been widely commented upon in the county,
and the belief expressed that it would be
better thing If the whole county were
placed under municipal laws. This matter
has been advocated by many of the promi-
nent residents and property owners of the
county. and their views upon the subject
are backed by strong arguments in support
of their belief.
This county, the smallest in the Old
Dominion. occupies a unique position, and
has had a varied history and occupies a
very prominent place in the history or the
country Once part OF the District OF
Columbia. it was given back to the state OF
Virginia in the sos, since which time the
state has exercised jurisdiction over its
affairs. Being in such close proximity to
Washington. the capital city of the nation,
its interests are. to a great extent. coinci-
dent with those of the city, as many of its
citizens ara identified with the business
life of Washington or are employed there
in various capacities.
Another feature in the past that gave to
II UnNGlcOnlS nOsCf.etE was tne eSlSiente
of the gambling dives run and supported by
those who. finding the pursuit of the God
dess CO Fortune in Washington rather a
risky matter. transferred their operations
to NirSnia's soil and for many years -four
ished green bay tree. With the &C
cession to the population of the county
however, of those VINO had chosen It as a
place of residence. this state of affairs be-
came more obnoxious. and an agitation
was begun that resulted in bringing the
matter to the attention of the public in
general but the efforts seemed to lag.
owing to the apparent lack of support from
the proper officials. After several years a
united effort was made, the -ople were
thoroughly aroused and the election of a
commonwealth attorney in the person of
Mr. Crandal Mackey, resident of Wash
ingtCn district with an office in Washing
ton city. effected. Before his election
Mr. Mackey had stated that he would wage
a vigorous campaign upon the gambling
evil and drive il out of the county, and his
ante-eeCtion promises were kept to the let
ter as the closing of the various places fol-
lowed. accompanied by vigorous prosecu-
ton of those who managed them.
Change Apparent.
The change in the life of the county is
apparent to those who are aware of the
previous condition of affairs. and this. added
to the needs of the residents of Washington
for convenient places for homes, has
caused a rapid increase in values, which
have been materially helped by the con-
struCtiOn of the new highway bridge and
the various electric lines which traverse
the county in all directions, bringing the
center of Washington within a short dis
lance of the most remote sections of the
county.
Another feature is the establishment of
the Potomac yards by the railroads in the
southea stern section of the county, said to
be intended for one of the largest railroad
yards in the country. Here the freight BUSH
ness of Washington will be carried on and
the commerce of the south Atlantic states
viii. be handled. These yards are far from
complete, Vet, but the work Is being
pushed. and when they are completed will
employ large number of workmen. whose
homes will be in the vicinity. This will
establish a demand for houses and already
a cry is going up for the construction of
number adequate to the needs of those
employed there. The road is having difficulty
in solving the problem. and succeeds only
by providing transportation for their en-
ployes to and from the cities of Washington
and Alexandria, running special train for
that purpose. Eventually, however, the
problem will be solved 1t is believed and
busting community will be the result
Other features of Importance to Washing
ton are the opportunities which Alexandria
county offers for the establishment of large
recognized by some, but they are as grains
of sand. 1t Is declared, to those who will
eventually establish here.
Present Solution.
All these facts are pointed out, and the
argument gathers force when discussed
from the standpoint of local needs to meet
the coming conditions that will exist with
the coming years. So 1t is argued that the
proper solution of the matter would be the
Incorporation of the whole county under
proper restrictions. so the local affairs could
be adequately administered. AS 1t now
stands, the county, with the needs almost of
a city. Is subject to the same laws that
govern counties situated far back in the
state. and which are wholly agricultural
The many little subdivisions springing up
are laid of regardless of the existing lines
OF others. and the prediction is made that
this will produce inextricable confusion and
annoyance In the years to come and that
the supervisors have present power to
control the matter. 1t Is said that no sub
less the plat has been passed upon nv tho
board. and that they should be made to
conform to those already established
Doubtless some effort will be made to
take action with this in View but according
to popular belief. it will not be a moment
too soon. no matter when it occurs
The closing OF the schools in Alexandria
county occurred May "a. This brought to an
end a session highly satisfactory to the
school authorities. Preparations are being
made to accommodate a larger attendance
at the Mt. Vernon Avenue School in this
place, by placing partitions in the large
upper hall. thereby providing two rooms.
1t is the intention of the authorities to add
an addition to this building in the future
TO meet the increasing demands.
Much building is going on, contracts for
six houses. IL is said, having been let dur
ing the past week.
Mrs. Frank French, who has been Ill
for some time from attack of rheu-
matism. is much better, and able to be