The Washington times., 1911-06-08

There is a determined fight going on
across the Potomac between Alexandra
city and Alexandria county. 1t grows
out of the fact that the city wants part
OF the county annexed to Its limits, SO
II can grow and expand, and for this
purpose bill has been introduced in the
city council Of Alexandria. The county,
not wishing to lose any of its land, Is
now making a fight to have Alexandra
county Incorporated as a city OF the first
class.
1t is hard at this time 10 say which
side will win. The city papers of Alex
andria are with their proposition, and
the county papers generally support the
county proposition. Feeling is running
high. and whichever side wins 1t will
be one Of the most determined fights
ever waged between a county and mu-
nicipality in the Old Dominion State.
The whole trouble grew out of the
fact that Alexandria city wishes to
reach out and take in residence dis
tricts where many of its business men
who were active in the affairs Of the
city have moved. In this way Alexan-
dria city is losing, and has lost in
short time, some hundreds Of residents.
and, OF course, this loss of residents
means loss OF tax revenue.
Limits Remain Unchanged.
On one proposition both the city and
county people are agreed, and that is
there can be no growth in population or
expansion of Alexandria city unless
the city secures additional territory.
The city limits of Alexandria are today
the same as they were when they were
laid out by George Washington, and
with all Of the wonderful foresight and
sagacity of the Father of His Coun-
try" he probably never thought Alexan-
dria city would outgrow the original
limits. Nevertheless, the fact is the
city has outgrown them, and the resi-
dents OF Alexandria say the reason the
city did not show large increase in the
last census was because 1t mad no more
room to grow. At the same time, II has
to furnish police and fire protection to
certain outlying districts in Alexandra
and Fairfax counties.
This furnishing of protection to per-
sons and property in the counties got on
the municipal nerves and Alexandrians
determined that II they must furnish
this protection to these outlying dis
trtcts, they would make them a part of
the city. The result was that a bill
was introduced in city council and re-
ferred 10 a joint committee composed of
the members of the general laws COM
mittee. of which Howard A. Smith is
chairman. and those of the finance COM
mittee, of which Henry K Fields is
chairman. The bill proposes to take in
a portion of Alexandria county which
lies to the north OF the city limits, and a
portion Of Fairfax county which lies to
the south of the city.
County Faction Gets Busy.
There was much enthusiasm when the
bill was introduced in the council and
much sentiment in its favor. However.
that was six months ago, and while all
of the sentiment and favor can still be
found for the bill, II has given the |
county people chance to begin a fight |
to incorporate all of the county. II this |
is done there will be no part OF the |
county to annex to the city.
The reason for the delay in the action |
of the joint committee of the Alexandria |
council in reporting on the bin is stated |
to be because the members wish TO find |
out just how much 1t will take to keep |
up the proposed new city limits and
what revenues will accrue to the city |
treasury. The summer adjournment of
the council is now near and there is no |
prospect as yet OF report on the Nj