Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-10-07
THIS C|TY'S ADVANTAGE
NJ. B. Harlow Tells Washington Paper
Regarding Brief to be Submitted
to Daniels on Thursday.

I
which published the following IN It's
noon edition today.
Alexandria's committee which has
in charge the effort to get the Gov
ernment's armor plant located here,
will hold conference with Wash
ington Business men to urge upon
them combination of forces In
Alexandria's behalf.
r This announcement was made to-
day by M. B. Harlow, chairman OF
the Alexandria committee, following
meeting Of the Alexandria Chamber
Of Commerce yesterday, at which the
brief was prepared for presentation
at the Navy Department October II.
The brief also will contain interest
ing historical details of the early in
clusion of Virginia territory in the
District of Columbia. 1t seeks to show
that Congress originally intended the
portion of the District on the Mary
land side to be the seat of Govern
ment, and the portion of the Virginia
side to be the Industrial center for the
district.
''We intend to make our appeal to
business men of Washington to unite
with US because we believe we can
show that the interests of Washing
ton will be conserved better by loca-
tion of the plant in Alexandria.
every argument that applies to
Washington will apply to Alexandra,
and Alexandria can offer advantages
that Washington cannot offer.
For one thing, Alexandria has no
laws to interfere with the erection OF
any sort of plant, nor any smoke
laws to hamper its operation.
SIN the District plans for Govern
ment structures must be submitted TO
the Fine Arts Commission, under the
law, and the chance Of their approx
ing the armor plant project is dim.
"If the people of the District stop
ped to think they would realize that
Washington does not want the ar
NOR plant, with it's noise and smoke,
for it violates the plan upon which
Washington is being developed.
Turning to the positive advantages
claimed for Alexandria. Mr.. Harlow.
points out that the Virginia city has a
mile of water front, with nowhere
less than depth Of thirty feet.
The freight yards in Alexandria,
he points out, are among the finest in
the country, and form distributing
point north, east, south, and west.
Alexandria will offer either of two
sites. One is located on the Potomac
with its southern section affording
a $1,000 foot frontage on the river,
The depth of the river all along this
distance is 33 feet. Another side Of
this tract lies along Great Hunting
Creek, a tributary of the Potomac,
for a distance of $4,000 feet. The
tract has upon it the industrial track
of the Southern railway, which eight
other railroads have the right to use.
These are the Southern, B. & o.,
Chesapeake and Ohio, Atlantic Coast
Line, Seaboard Air Line, Norfolk and
Western, Virginia and Old Domin-
ion and Great Falls. This, tract con-
tains eighty acres.
The alternative site is on the south
bank of Great Hunting Creek and
on the west bank of the Potomac. 1t
has 5000 foot frontage on the Po-
tomae, and 1000 feet on Great Hunt
ing Greek. Railroad facilities are
guaranteed if this site is selected.
Mr.. Harlow stated a study of his
tory would show that, originally, that
portion of the Old District taken from
Virginia was intended as the indus
trlal portion OF the reservation.
Congress showed such small in
terest in the Capital in the early
days." he said, "that, in 1916, by a
vote of the residents of the Virginia
side that portion of the District was
ceded back to Virginia.
"Since then the Government mas
realized this recession was a mistake
Presidents Mckinley, Roosevelt, and
aft, have urged that the original ten
mile square District of Columbia be
restored.
Alexandria, city Of 10000, al.
ready is fast growing toward Wash
ington. It's people patronize ever!
form of business in Washington
Washington would benefit almost a.
much as Alexandria by the location
of the plant in Alexandria.
There are 22O steam and electri,
trains running daily between Wash
lngton and Alexandria. 1t is only s