Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-03-12
Reports From Richmond
Say That Case Has Been
Remanded for Trial
UNCERTAINTY EXISTS
Attorneys State Law Requires Sup
rene Court to Enter Final Order
Defining Annexed Territory.

A Greater Alexandria" is as
sured by decision of the Supreme
Court of Appeals of Virginia. handed
down yesterday in the annexation
suit, but advices which reached here
today ankle it uncertain as to just
what amount of territory will be
granted the city. Instead Of handing
down a final order as provided In sec
tion Of statute 1014 a. Of the laws
Of the state, definitely fixing the new
boundaries OF the city, the court it
is said, ordered that the case be re-
manded to be further proceeded with
in accordance with the views en-
pressed by Judge Cardwell, who
wrote the opinion of the court. In the
opinion Judge Cardwell SAID that he
could not say that the evidence was
sufficient TO require Judge Gordon,
from whose decision the appeal was
taken. to order and direct the an
nexation Of all the territory asked for
but he was OF the opinion that it was
both necessary and expedient that
some territory be annexed to the city
to meet its present needs as well as
those which may be expected to
arise in the reasonably near future.
Alexandria attorneys are uncertain
as TO the next steps that will be taken
They contend that the supreme court
is clearly in error if they have re-
manded the case for further trial,
and as soon the complete text Of
the opinion reaches herd decision
will be reached as to the further pro-
ceedure. 1t is thought tina. the at
tGntion Of the court will be called to
The law and they will be asked to
enter an order definitely disposing
of the case.
The area of the land in dispute
is approximately 1876 acres, or
about two square miles, almost twice
the present area of the, city. SOC
acres lies in Alexandria county and
$50 in Fairfax County. It's assessed
value is approximately Sl,500,O00. In
the territory is the Union Station.
the surburbs of Rosemont, Braddock
Heights, Cottage Park and West
End, q portion of the Potomac Rail-
way yards and much other valuable
property.
The suit has been pending before
the :courts for more than three years
and. previous to that time there was
Il long agitation in the city council
Of Alexandria before the ordinance
providing for annexation was pass
ed. The. first proceedings was be-
fore the circuit court ofsAlexandria.
Judge Bennett T. Gordon Of the Goth
judicial Circuit was designated by
Governor Mann to conduct the pro-
ceedings. He refused to grant the
order of annexation, and assessed the
costs of the hearing against the city.
An appeal was taken to the Sup.
rene Court two years ago, and the
decision was just handed down yes
terday.
In the proceedings the city council
of Alexandria was represented by
Samuel P. Fisher corporation at
torney; Samuel G.. Brent, common
wealth attorney and John VI. John
son. Alexandria county was rep
resented by Crandall Mackey, com
monwealth attorney, former HoTernol
Andrew Jackson Montague and Ro'
bert L. Montague. Fairfax county
had as its attorneys c. Vernon F'orc
commonwealth attorney and Moore
Barbour, Keith and McCandlish.