Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-03-22
Communicated
ANOTHER CID NHABITANT.
Writer Complains Of Lack of Pro
grcssiyc Spirit.


grcssiyc Spirit.
Mr.. Editor
I wish to thank cold mhabitant
for his pertinent remarks concerning
tho lack of civic pride evinccd by our
fellow townsmcn. notably by those
who bear the honorable title Of Getty
Fathers" The most casual observer
will perceive the unsanitary condition
of tho Market Square. What excuse
therefore, has our health officer
for such neglect Of his official du-
ties The old sheds of Mar
ket Alley must hold the germs Of
disease, and conditions there arc AZ
ways bad. Arc we to have another
epidemic such as visited our town last
year which left many homes desc
late? Or will the City Council at
it's next meeting discuss the subject
Of better sanitation? The accident
which occurred near the police station
Saturday recalls a somewhat simil;;
one at the entrance Of the City Hall
less than two years ago. 1t would
seem special dispcnsation Of provi-
dcnce that tragedy was prevented
in both instances. Other towns have
their public buildings inspected at
certain times and such inspection
would have prevented the descent OF
brick and iron that might have been
Il serious catastrophe. This neglect
has put heavy accent upon tic
words Of "OId lnhabitant."
Not only is the health and safety
Of the community ignored. bu! there
seems to exist Il strange Indifference
TO the appearance Of things. Where
is the town which has as much 10 hc
proud of in its history as AlcXan-
drial? Yet the beautiful gift of The
Daughters OF the American kcvulr
ton, which commentaries our past,
failed to arouse more than temporary
enthusiasm. 1t was received with :!
flourish Of trumpcts and professions
Of appreciation, but not the least e.
fort has ever been made to keep tic
drinking fountain in order or 10
have the water turned on and oil, az
was promised. For nine months
thousands Of gallons Of water were
wasted. and the small and unitcirt.i
youth Of The neighborhood tbcSidc+
banging on the rim, Of the bowl per
formed his morning ablutionS tbctc,
even going 80 far as to- bring vita
him soap and towel. Only the poor
horses showed the proper respect To-
The gift. Such Indifference caused
the ladies much modification, and al
ter repeated petitions TO various
members Of the City Council. the sub.
irrl was dropped, while The thought
embodied in The cid adagr concerning
the il-judgcd distribution Of gems
naturally was suggested.
While other progressive towns en-
ploy physician and nurse to cH-
anime the children Of the public
schools, this mch-nccdcd work was
never considered ny city officials here
and only exists now through the cf-
forts Of the Cameron Club, Il smail
society OF public spirited women.
which has during the past eighteen
months presented the public schools
with the services of an examining
nurse. Thu benefits resulting can
hardly be cStilnatcd. but, alas, the
mcalS are limited and will hardly lc
adequate to The expenses OF another
year. Is this good work 10 be ahIn-
doncd because some appropriation Of
IL petty nature, by the City Council
must take precedence? appeal 10
the public to demand attention to the
! necessity of having AL examining
physician and nurse for the public
schools OF Alexandria.
would also like to call attention
TO the absence CT police interference
iii eases of dcprcdations on the prop
crty Of taxpayers. Two old houses
i'll and near north Washington seem
to be given up TO the revcls of our
most unruly element. AS the tours;
/ passes down Washington street the
ruins of that celebrated old school
house (oncc known as birthstone
CASTLE confront the eye. With
hardy pane of glass intact, with
shutters and doors unhingcd. ii
stands 4 menace TO the safety OF The
neighborhood. the resort OF thieves
and fire icnds. What bad impress
sion we make on the eyes of stran
gers and what wonder is it that ou1
subIlrhaniteS fail to become enthuSi