Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-03-31
City Fathers And Other Officials
Hear Reports of City's Attor-
neys on Annexation.

board, city officials and large
audience Of citizens, many OF them
living in the new territory to be an
neyed TO Alexandria tomorrow, John
NJ. johnson, one of the attorneys for
the city in the recent annexation suit
gave a lucid explanation OF the
terms of the order Of the Supreme
Court and outlined some OF the legal
responsibilities of the city toward
the new territory.
Mr.. johnson presented large
man which had been used by the
Supreme Court in fixing the boun-
carries. This map shows that the new
northern limit Of the city which IS
an extension Of the present north
ern limit, will intersect the Washing
ton Virginia railway tracks at south
Braddock, a few feet north OF the
railway station. II passes through
the front porch Of the residence Of
Julian Y. Williams at Cottage Park
and also the residence Of Wallace
Lindsey on Braddock Heights.
Mr.. johnson took up the order of
the court, Item by item. and showed
how the attorneys had arrived at an
a-,eement. He said that the amount
TO he paid for the West End schoo!
was the exact cost Of the same.
The Mt. Vernon school OH Wash
ington street had cost $1,000 but
only $1,000 was allowed for it. The
amount to be paid for the bridge
over Hunting Creek, $1,000. repre-
scented only portion Of its cost and
the only item which Mr.. Johnson
considered excessive was the $1,000
T., be paid by the city to Fairfax
county for the work already done
IN the improvement Of South Patrick
street extended.
The money TO be paid Fairfax
county for these improvements
amounts to $l6,1S2 and is to be paid
forthwith" which Mr.. Johnson con-
Sirues at an early date. He said
that Fairfax county had already
written for the money.
While the West End school will be
The property Of the city as soon as
The money is paid the Fairfax school
board will continue to, operate the
school until the end Of the presen,
school year. After this year 1t will
ne operated by the school board OF
Alexandria and for the next two
wears children Of residents OF Fair
fax county, who attend school there
sh:s wear may. continue to attend 1or
two years without expense to Fair
fax county.
Mr.. johnson said that the order
of the court in reference to the polio
ing of the new territory and the pro-
yjdinp of an additional piece Of fire
appartus should be carried out as
carly as possible but that council
would he given sufficient time TO ar
.ange the details.
Che streets to be kept up by the
city Of Alexandria are only the re-
rognized thoroughfares, SUCH as
Duke street extended Patrick street
extended. the old Mushpot road. Mt.
Vernon Avenue. Braddock Road and
King street extended, and sucil other
streets in subdivisions as the city
NAV hereafter accept. He said that
the city could open up the following
streets in the southwestern portion
II the city.
Henry. Patrick. Alfred, Columbus,
and Jefferson. and the cross streets,
such as jefferson, Greene, etc. This
is in accordance with deed made IN
1890 by one Gill, who owned most Of
that section Of the city and who sod
it off IN blocks with the understand
ing IN the deed that if the property
was ever taken over by the city 1t
was to be opened for the passage
of streets. Many Of these streets are
now blocked off by fences and build
ings.
The present State assessors for the
city, he explained, will assess the
property for the ensuing five years. !
although the city taxes on the prop
erty taken in shall not be increased
for five years unless Alexandria !
should eypend in permanent improve
ments - PEI cent Of the assessed val
uation of the newly acquired terri !
tory. |
Mr.. johnson said lna1 the assess
nlent is low at present In both coun-
ties and that the present sum re-
ceireG from taxes if the assessment |
remained the same would be about