Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-11-23
FIND VERY BAD ROAD.
Twelve Miles of Richmond Washing
ton Highway is Almost
Impossible.

Twelve miles of almost impossible
road stand in the way of the use of
the Washington-Richmond Highway,
via. this city, by thousands of auto
who now make detour BY
way of the Shenandoah route, was
brought forcibly to the minds of re-
representatives. of Washington business
organizations who passed through
Alexandria, early yesterday, morning
to make a personal inspection of the
road.
The men represented the Board Of
Trade, the Chamber of Commerce, the
Hotel Mems Association and the Re-
tail Merchants Association. In adj
dition there were representatives from
each of the Washington newspapers
and the American Automobile Asso-
citation. Five automobiles conveyed
the party to Fredericksburg.
The route taken was over the High
way bridge, through Alexandria to
OcccQuan. Thus far everything was
plain sailing, The roads have ali
been improved and there was moth
ing to halt the tourists. Soon after
leaving Occoquan, however. all idea
Of what a Virginia road it apt to be
was given the autotaooilists. Flowing
through red clay ruts and mudholes
for a distance OF 5 miles. the cars
crept along at a snaips pace.
Eumfries was reached at II o'clock
This town is the northern terminus Of
what is known as the worst piece of
road in the Old Dominion, namely the
5 miles through the Chappawamsic
Swamp. Conditions at this point are
indcscribabie. 4 motor car is put to
the supreme test when it is sent into
Lhat waste OF pine barrens and sink
holes. The first car sank hub deep into
The soft miro. and it took an hour to
get it out. A detour had been map
ped out. and all the other four cars
except one took it and arrived on the
far side Of the swamp il safety. The
ole that yentured to take the road
finally decided to back out. but in so
doing got off the road and sank into
tic creek. Two hours work BY TIE
entire party was necessary to get
the car out of difficulty.
Three hours tate, the Washington
ians reached Fredericksburg. and sat
down to luncheon at the Princess
Anne, rendered by the board Of trade
of Fredericksburg. At the lunch r.
L. Ferguson, in d short talk, describ-
ed the conditions along the highway,
Mr.. Ferguson said that records COM
piled by the American Automobile As
sociation showed that more than 1000
automobile touring parties had been
diverted either at Richmond OF Phil
adelphia on account of the bad str&tcti
between Washington and Fredericks
burg, These parties took the Shcnan-
doah route instead.
eve have used every effort to have
Prince William county fix this road"
he said, "but as it only cuts across
q corner Of the county, and does not
touch alIy town. we nave been unsuc.
ccssful. There is but one way, and
only one. to have this road fixed so
that touring parties will come TO
and that is for Washing !
ton to subscribe enough funds !
10 build good highway"
Mr.. Ferguson said that $4,000 was
he amount necessary. He also IN !
'ormed the party that $3.50 had been
by his organization, and was
o be put to immediate use in making ,
he road passable.
In behalf Of the Hotel Mems Asso- /
.iation, T. 4. Mckee. stated that his
was ready to contribute :
sum. J. N. Stoddard of the Board
i Trade suggested that combined !;
Meeting OF the four committees Ee
:eld some time this week and ways
nd means decided upon for obtaining
he necessary amount. This sugges
ion was adopted
Franz; c. Baldwin, OF E'redericlis
urg, acting for the business men Of
hat city, said that fredericksburg
vas ready to help.