The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-23
EDITORS GATHER
IN ALEXANDRIA
Historic City Scene of Virginia
Press Associations Annual
Meeting.
PROGRAM Is ELABORATE ONE
Makers of States Newspapers
Will Be Royalty Entertained
by Their Hosts.
PROGRAM is ELABORATE ONE
BY j. C. LATENER,

gathering mere Tonight FOR the twen-
tysixth annual session. which will
auditorium OF the Alexandria Elks'
Home. The association was organ
lied at Bristol, on tho State line OF
Virginia and Tennessee, twenty five
years ago, and 1t Is but fitting that
the twenty-sixth birthday should be
celebrated at one Of the oldest East
ern points, but in city growing
younger In its progressiveness. yet
peopled with those ever mindful OF
the rich heritage of historic incidents
and scenes intimately associated with
the earlier history of the United
States.
The history of this city dates back
to 1908. when Captain John Smith as
cended the Potomac River In search
dria's present location, was stopped by
the falls OF the Potomac. The site
Of this city was then a part of the
Doag Indians hunting grounds.
Governor Berkeley In 1869 granted
crown patent to Captain Robert
Howsen for 5000 acres of land ex-
tending along the Potomac, lying be-
tween Washington and Rosslyn, for
bringing 12o colonists to Virginia
Later. Captain Howsen sold to John
Alexander a portion of this land for
5000 pounds OF tobacco and soms
money. and In 1877 1t was first occu
pied by settlers. In 1880 the first pub
lie warehouse was established, and In
1873 came the first schoolhouse. This
settlement was Belhaven up to l74S,
In which year the Colonial Assembly
authorized the formation OF the town
OF Alexandria.
PROGRESS IS WATCHwORD
OF ITS CITIZENS 8
Progress" is the watchword of tho
~ NJ 1 Ill fll, J.,
a population of 10000, exclusive OF
beautiful suburbs, the residents OF
which add much to the social and com
mercial life of this city and OF Wash
ington.
Situated on tho south bank of the
Potomac. the city OF Alexandria Is a
natural gateway between the North
and the South. Here six steamship
lines connect with all coasts. including
European and South American lines,
and the cIty's half-niile Of water front,
with a. harbor for the largest vessels.
together with six trunk line railways.
give the city excellent transportation
and shipping facilities.
Old landmarks and historic build
fngs and sites have been preserved.
and their traditions are cherished, but
the enterprisinG citizenship of Alex
andria has looked toward the future,
and TO that end a strong Chamber of
Commerce has nourished for years.
which. together with other civic bod
les, has done a great work in letting
the world know of the natural advan-
tages and resources of this city, which
has resulted in the building up of a
strong manufacturing and commercial
city, and city whose social life is
ideal.
Improved streets. the replacing OF
cobblestones with smooth paving. ex-
banks and banking systems, splendid
public school facilities, an abundant
water supply. churches OF various de-
nominations, constantly growing in
membership and increasing In spiritual
influence. and fraternal organizations
have all had their part in making AL
eNandria to-day a city of prosperous
businesses. happy homes. congenial
society and surrounded by the most
hallowed of historical memories.
ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM
FOIt NEWSPAPER MAKERS
The makers OF Virginia newspapers
Will be taken on sightseeing tours.
and among the places to be visited are
the following:
The golf club, which tops Suter's
HILL the first site selected for the ma
tional capital; the old and the new
Marshall House; old Christ Church.
which was attended by Generals Wash
ington and Lee: the Carlyle House.
built by John Carlyle In 1745, and the
Lees boyhood home; the strangers
grave" the Federal Cemetery, Fair
fax House. the Confederate Monument
and Arlington and Mount Vernon.
Residential Alexandria Will afford
an attraction for the editors, while the
Industrial and commercial life of the
city will be another feature OF in.
terest.
The Chambers OF Commerce and the
Retail Merchants Associations D: this
city and Washington have combined
In their program of entertainment for
the visitors, whose three days stay in
this city and Washington will be
chock-full OF varied entertainment.
The Alexandria committee on en-
tertainment. Thomas a. Fisher. Mayor
and honorary chairman; Robert S.
Barrett. chairman, and a. j. wedder-
burn. secretary, has been ably assist
cd by the following chairmen and
their committees:
j.. +. Ibury, chairman of finance
committee; r. ID. Brumback, chairman
OF excursion committee: Harry Ham
mond, chairman of automobile com
mittee: A. ]. Weddcrburn. chairman of
Mt. Vernon committee; NJ. r.. Dwyer
chairman banquet committees; Carroll
Pierce. chairman manufacturers COM
mittec: James f.. Peyton, chairman
Washington committees; James T. Pres
ton, chairman hotel committee. and
Harrie White, chairman badge COM
mittee.
The Washington committee has made
arrangements for royal entertainment
in that city.
BUSINESS OF INTEREST
TO Progressive PUBLISHERS
The members of the Virginia Press
Association during its session will
hear reports of committees on matters
OF especial interest to the profession.
The most important paper will be on
the subject Of advertising rates for
the country papers. and how best to
maintain rates. The cost system for
newspapers and job printing plants
will also be discussed, and the pro-
gressive publisher will find much of
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