Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-05-20
THE ARMS OF THE CITY.
Alexandria the Center OF Vast Ra-
diant OF Interland Railway Systems,
Besides Access to the World by Sea.


Alexandria has two great systems Of
transportation connecting her with the
world at large, railways and waterways,
and either would be considered Of suf-
ncient Importance to make any city in
America notable. At present Alexan-
dria is using her railways to the neglect
or her waterways.
Take map Of the United States,
spread II out and make a circle around
Alexandria. Then search within the
scope of the circle or outside Of IL, and
md town OF its size with equal facili-
ties for getting in and out You will
find none. Alexandria is the gateway
between the North and the South-the
chief turnstile of the country east Of
the Mississippi.
Alexandria as a white settlement is
now in the third century OF its exist
ence. 1t has a reputation for being
slow, but this is not deserved. 1t has
had many troubles OF her own, includ-
Ing invasions from Indians and soldiers
and sailors from foreign shores. The
Revolutionary war. the short but ex-
pensive conflict with France, and the
second war for independence, each had
It's effect upon Alexandria's welfare and
commerce. but the last conflict having
ended she recuperated rapidly, and in
q short time barks, brigs. schooners and
ships from Alexandria's wharves sailed
the high seas, carrying cargoes to and
from foreign ports. From that period
until the breaking out OF the civil war
Alexandria grew and prOspered. Loco
motive works were established. a cotton
factory put In operation, railroads built
canal constructed, large Touring mills
erected and numerous other enterprises
started and successfully conducted.
The enterprise of Alexandria was also
seen in the fact that II II was not the
hrst city In the country to issue postage
stamps. even before the Government
did, 1t was among the first, and speci-
mems or these Alexandria provisional
stamps have the greatest value of any
known to American history. Within
year one OF the fve-cent stamps OF
1886 sold for $4,000 In Philadelphia,
and passed to the ownership Of George
Worthington, Of Cleveland. Ohio. who
mas three of the four stamps Of that
variety known to exist
UP to the time OF the war between
the States, Alexandria entered with
aVldlty into works Of public improve
ment, as evidenced by the following
sums advanced I'm aid OF means OF
terror;
Middle Middle Turnpike ....... $4,000
chesapeake & Ohio Canal. .. 100000
nAIexandria Canal. ...... $4,000
SO,range d Alexandra Railroad 10000
"a = 3dnassas Gap Railroad. .. 100000
Water Company. 10000
s1,58O,OOO
we Will ask any present day critic
VI alexandria TO find IL he can another
city on the Western continent OF equal
sIze ana wealth, that ever gave as much
10 pubic improvements
Right at our doors are located the
ne" Potomac classification yards They
are are probably the most modern in the
country, and the most recent ideas OF
IaIIroad building have gone into their
Every device for the
rapid and satisfactory handling OF
irelght cars that constructive genius has
devised and experience has approved
has been adopted
In these yards, containing As miles OF
track: 5000 cars can be in process OF
handhng at one time. and 1t Is possible
20 multiply this number five times.
maKIng the daily capacity OF the yards
1O.VVV cars. A large force Of men IL
The cars are shifted and distributed
oy system OF gravity. One side OF
me yards is devoted TO north-bound
ana the other to south-bound freight
4 single track spreads out on each side
MO score or more. the single track