Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-01-18
PETITION Of ALEXANDRIA FOR ADDITIONAL TERRITORY
IS DENIED AND ANNEXAT|ON SUIT IS DISMISSED

UUIl IL UlUiEIiUVIU
+ 1890 to 1910. But whether the negro
population has left the city in large
} or small numbers and their places
been supplied by an influx of whites
the figures cited fail to show that
there is at present such congestion
| Of population as compared with form
] er times when, for aught that appears
to the contrary, the present limits
were deemed adequate as to render
an enlargement of the cities territory
necessary to its accommodation.
There is evidence tending to show
that he city is compactly built in the
center as is the case with other of the
| older towns, that there is no great
number of desirable building sites for
handsome or fashionable residences
| appears also to be true. But it is like
wise true that there is room for man
ufacturing plants and also for dwell
lings of moderate size, suitable for the
working class which is most needed
for the upbuilding of a town; and it is
in evidence that within the city limits
| there is activity in building and that
it is just commencing (Lunt, page
529.)
The testimony of Mr.. Dunn, the City
Engineer, is to the effect that 30 per
cent of the present limits is not built
up, and according to Mr.. Harrle
White there are 460 vacant parcels Of
land in Alexandria City, the major
part of which are available for dwell
ings for the poor class, laborers and
colored people. He also testifies that
from one-fourth to one-third of the
entire area is not built on. At least
three witnesses, familiar with the
surrounding say that the putting
lown of proper streets and other i'm
orovements enhance the value Of prop
arty and bring in better class of citi-
zens. (Ellioot, page 724, Brockett,
page S24. King, page 1213.)
1t cannot, in view of the evidence,
be claimed that all of the vacant land
is suitable for building upon, railroad
racks in parts Of the city, natural
drawbacks, such as low and swampy
and,render certain section unavailable
.oi such use; bio it would seem IN the
light of past experience that If the
city authorities carry on the good
works so successfully prosecuted thus
tar, improving and undermining the
streets and extending it's sewerage
system, much of the land neglected or
abandoned in the past will become val
1able and suited to residential OF
other purposes.
Coming now to consider the finan-
cial ability of the city to deal success
fully with the proposition we are con-
fronted with the fact that it has a
bonded debt of $3.50, 100000, to provile
for, as well as its annual expenditures
!or ordinary purposes. The street
and sewer work in progress cost $751;
900 or $4,000. The gross receipts for
last year were $178,850, including a
temporary loan of $25 900, exclud-
ing the loan S153,500 and the appro-
oriations $145,715, according to the
City Auditor, Mr.. Price; while ac-
.ording to Mr.. H. K. Field the esti
mated receipts for 1912 and IL are
sI52,O00, against which there are ap-
oropriations of S14S,0 including a
s25, 900 loan, fixed yearly expense of
The city government being S122,O00 or
$4,000.
In addition to the foregoing figures
it appears by the testimony of Mr..
Julian Y. Williams member of the
Council (page 950) that there are
pending contemplated street d. I'M
provements which roughly estimated
| vii aggregate 100000 which will
necessarily take up all the revenue
will aggregate 100000 which will
near future a high school building
will be built at cost according to
DR.. Smith says that an appropriation
Drh Smith says that an appropriation
of that sum has been promised by the
Council. 1t is estimated that the cost
to the city of the contemplated annex
alton will be in the neighborhood of
$4,000 outside Of the expense incident
to the temporary. improvements OF
Hooff's Run. for sewerage purposes.
If this expense be added and such i'm
.provement can be made at one-fourth
| of what Mr.. Dunn, the City Engineer.
estimates of what will be the cost of
a covered sewer to-wit, 100000, We
l a IL