Evening star., 1914-08-08
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Rosemont, Braddock Heights
and Mt. Ida Citizens
Take Action.
MT. VERNON ROAD OPPOSED
Resolutions Adopted by Executive
Committee Intimating Legal
Steps to Stay Work.
MT. VERNON ROAD OPPOSED
Special Correspondence of The Star.

ALEXANDRIA. Va, August S.-The
executive committee of citizens of Rose
mont, Braddock Heights and Mount Ida,
Alexandria county. named some time ago
to take what action it may deem proper
to have the route of the roadway from
Arlington cemetery to Alexandra
changed has adopted resolutions in which
it sets forth that it will take such legal
steps to prevent the expenditure of the
county's funds for the roads.
Copies of the resolutions have been
sent to Logan w. Page, chief of the good
roads division, Department of Agricul-
ture, and Edward Duncan. supervisor for
Jefferson district. that county.
1t is set forth in the resolutions that
the property owners in the subdivisions
Of Mount Ida, Braddock Heights and
Rosemont have had brought to their
attention that the board of supervisors
of the county has consummated loan or
$4,000 to meet a similar amount appro-
priated by the federal government for
the building of a sixteen-foot experiment
al roadway from the southeast corner
of Arlington national cemetery to point
at or near Hume Spring, that county,
same to be continued through Del Ray
ana Potomac; that mass meetings have
been held by residents of these places
opposing and resisting the expenditure Of
$50 600 borrowed by the board.
1t is further set forth that the execu-
tive committee is in sympathy with beI-
ter roads and road building in general.
but it Is opposed to the route pro
posed 1t is further set forth that the
present route leads through an unoeVei-
oped and isolated territory and that 1t
necessitates the expenditure of grading,
culvert building. etc.
Declares Cost Excessive.
The committee also expresses the belief
that the cost of the proposed road as OUT
lined by the government, for only three
and one-half miles and only sixteen feet
in width. and of an experimental nature,
entailing an expense Of $4,000, is exces-
siye and that inasmuch as one-half OF
the foregoing amount has been borrowed
by jefferson district, Alexandra county,
the committee believes it Is an unneces-
sary burden to be borne by Jefferson
district and that greater good could be
accomplished by applying the JEFFERSON
districts pro rata to the maintenance
and Improvement of the present roads
now existing in that district
The route proposed. it is set forth, does
not pass through the picturesque or high
ly developed section OF the county, Dut
follows an unattractive approach to the
city of Alexandria; that by following lne
lines as nearly as possible OF the present
Mount Vernon avenue. from the southeast
corner of Arlington national cemetery and
into west Mount Vernon avenue, or Rus-
sell road, through the suburbs or Mount
Ida, Braddock Heights and Rosemont, the
$50, 900 which by this proposed new route
builds only three and one-half miles OF ex-
perimental roadway would be sumclent
to construct splendid boulevard or ave-
nue. the entire distance.
The committee also sets forth that 1t
is informed that an additional $4,000
will be required to be raised Tor the
purpose of resurfacing the present road
way from Hume spring into the city
of Alexandria along the proposed route.
making total cost of $4,000 which
the committee believes to be excessive
for the building of such a road as pro-
posed.
The resolutions are signed by the fol-
lowing: G. Washington Lewis, chair
man; Orlando H. Kirk, Wallace ~. Lind
sey. Mauchlin Nfven, Robert Elliott. w.
F.. Swan, C. A. Strauss. Alexander Suter,
r. D. Woolf and II. J. Warthen.
Fire Destroys Devers Home.
Fire of an unknown origin at 3 o'clock
this morning destroyed the home of
James W. Devers, near the city poor
house. short distance north Of Alex
andria. Mr.. Devers and members of his
family were aroused by the fire a short
time after it started and escaped with
only few clothes.
The Potomac fire department responded
to an alarm and the Reliance hose wagon
of this city. accompanied by Chief Gro
nau and number of local tiremen, also
went to the fire.
The fire had gained such headway, how
ever, but little could be done and in less
| than an hour the house was a smolder-
ing pile of ashes. A small quantity of
furniture including the piano. was saved.
The house was valued at $500 and the
| loss is partially covered by insurance.
Loss on the furniture Is also partially
covered by insurance.
A committee of twenty-five was named
last night by Alexandria Division No. /.
Ancient Order of Hibernians, to arrange
| for the annual state convention of that
organization here September SO. An or
ganization was effected with the election
of F. T. Quinn. chairman. and NJ. E.
Greene. secretary. 1t is expected that
about 200 delegates will attend the con-
| vention.