Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-05-20

finding its apex at the summit OF what
the railroad men call hump. AT
this hump" the cars are released and
then turned into the proper tracks as
they roll down the inclined plane In
this way the number of switch engines
is reduced to the rlinimum. That the
city at whose doors the transfer OF
these cars. from one section TO another,
is effected, should do its full share or
the business they represent, is certain.
The yards belong to corporation
which includes six great railroad COM
panies, to wit: The Philadelphia, Balti-
more & WashingtOn-whic means the
PennsylVania-the Richmond, Fred
ericksburg & Potomac, the Southern.
the Chesapeake & Ohio, the Atlantic
Coast Line and the Baltimore & OHIO.
They Jointly represent $4,000 miles OF
track. reaching the most important
trade centers and seaports OF North
America. This great exchange mart
where cars from Northern lines are
transferred to Southern lines, and vice
versa, represent an expenditure OF over
S2,OO0,000. Here is the Real Gateway
Of the South.
In the matter Of freight rates to
points within our territory, the c1tys
only competitor is Baltimore. New York
and Boston are not to be largely reck-
oned with, so far as rates are con-
cerned. In some cases our city has a
distinct advantage over Baltimore. and
Maryland's metropolis is one Of the
most favored cities in the country, from
from the rate standpoint.
Alexandria is on the Potomac river.
six miles south of Washington, d. G..
Between the two cities the electric rail-
WAY operate 1875 trains, the steam rail
lines run 81 trains. while there are Is
regular ferry trips, besides water trans
portation by vaious river boats.
The following railroads diverge at
Alexandria for points north, east. south
and west: The Southern Railway, the
Washington Southern Railway. the
Richmond, Fredericksburg 81 Potomac
Railway. the Pennsylvania Railroad, the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the Chesa-
peake & Ohio Railway, the Atlantic
Coast Line Railroad, and the Seaboard
Air Line Railroad. Several steamer lines
give direct connection between Alexan-
dria and Norfolk and Baltimore. where
freight is transferred TO coast and trans
Atlantic steamers. Besides more than
100 steam and sailing vessels engaged
i'm cOastwse and ocean trade make
Alexandria their home port
The steamer lines directly engaged In
trade with Alexandria are as follows:
Norfolk 4 Washington S. b. Company, Old
Point Norfolk and Transatlantic business.
Washington & Alexandria Ferry Line between
the two cities. Maryland, Delaware VII
Baltimore and Transatlantic business. Wash
ingtOn & Potomac S. b. Co. All river polnts.
Potomac Navigation o CO; washington o bns.
mess.
The total arrivals Of all classes OF
boats at the harbor of Alexandria dur !
ing the calendar year 1907 were as fol-
lows:
stasm vessels
Drawing 10 feet or more. ....... 126
Drawing between 10 and 10 feet. -. $500
Drawing less than 10 feet. ......... 4,oH
Sailing vessels %
Drawing 10 feet or more. ..... 90
Drawing between 10 and 10 feet. %
Drawing less than 10 feet .......... 61l |
Total ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. .lO'ooo
The total tonnage in and out of the
357, asa tons. having a value Of $685. !
1886. General merchandise led In
value The list Of articles was a long |
one, including coal, lumber. ice. fish,
oysters etc. The bottles from our glass
factories shipped reached nearly 10000 |
tons. having a value of nearly half /
million dollars. The number OF pas
sengers to go and come exceeded a half
million.
The shipping advantages enjoyed by |
Alexandria can scarcely be Overestimat-
ed when taken into consideration with
the available waterway for steamers
and sailing vessels to the open sea /
Situated at the junction Of these con-
verging lines of travel our city has an
opportunity.
The country to the west and south ,
of Alexandria is rich in metals. coal, /
timber, and everything else needed in
manufacturing. and half dozen rail- /
roads leading from the sources Of such
supplies traverse our streets and have
their tracks extended to the ends OF
our wharves- and the expansion Of our
shipping trade is merely matter OF
time