The Washington herald., 1916-04-16
GIESBORO POINT
DOOMED BY war
Thriving Industrial Center
Springs Up Within Sight Of
Capitol Dome.
5000 MEN EMPLOYED
Hotel. Schoolhouse and Cottages
ted-Prosperous Laborers Ride
About in Fords.

washingtonians have read much In the
newspapers and magazines about the IN
dustries built up In remarkably snort
periods by the press of war orders, OF
towns created over night. etc. They have
read of the boom towns like Hopewell,
but how many of them realize that within
a short car ride, on a car line with ten
minute schedule. and almost as near the
center OF the Districts population as the
suburb of Brightwood. is thriving in
dustrial center, one OF the busiest In this
section OF the country, employing 5000
men at the present time. with a pay roll
running into the millions annually. with
more buildings under way to accomrno-
date more workmen,' and with an increas-
ing pay roll?
1t seems almost incredible that such an
industry could have grown up almost
within the confines of the city, without
the news of its growth having spread
from one end of the town to the other,
but that is just what has happened at
the great steel plant at Giesboro Point,
which Is located Just opposite Washing
ton Heights.
New Plant Under Way.
About a year ago this plant employed
perhaps 800 or 300 men. Today 1t carries
5000 men on its pay roll, which runs into
millions annually; it has erected several
additions, and there is now being built
by the Chemical Products Company a
tungsten plant adjacent to tlse giant steel
plant, which will employ a great number
of men, with a large additional pay roll.
Hundreds OF skilled workmen have been
imported from the great steel centers
OF the country, while from nearby sources
have been recruited a great number of the
cheaper laborers.
Cix unopfhs hofaI h,1llf 20
accommodate the men. 1t was filled with
tenants on completion and has been pack
ed to capacity ever since. Every house
for a good distance around that can ac-
lcommodate boarders or roomers Is filled.
A "for rent" sign is unknown in the vi
cinity. The school house, built with an
! expectation of filling the needs of the
section for many years, is now over
crowded. Some men have bought Fords
and ride daily four and more miles to
and from their work, while for the ac-
lcommodation of those who have horses.
some enterprising fellows have erected
temporary stables and have thereby
brought about a new successful bust
ness.
Means Much to Merchants.
The traffic is so great over the car lines
that residents of the vicinity have Pc
titioned for five-minute car service.
And with all this. II is rumored that
still another large plant is to be erected
here to employ hundreds more.
Just what this means to the merchants
Of Washington does not require any great
deal of figuring. Several thousand men
are here who will want permanent homes,
food, and clothing Perhaps almost a
million dollars Is put into circulation
monthly. most of which will be spent in
Washington.
Now for the first time Washington bus
iness men have an opportunity to profit
by the prosperity brought about by the
rush Of war business: for here is a big
industry right at their doors; and Wash
ingtonians have an opportunity to see
for themselves the most interesting sight
of great steel plant at work by TAX
ing any Anacostia car and riding to the
end Of Nichols avenue. where they can
view the most remarkable growth OF this
section of the city and see a great many
other worthwhile spots as we'll