The Washington herald., 1919-03-27

life. There are new people, there
are new enterprises, there are new
buildings and there are a new de-
termined body of citizens who are
speeding up in every way possible
to push forward Alexandria's claims
for commercial supremacy.
The results thus far accomplished
have caused the old city's popula-
tion to be practically doubled.
Too much credit cannot be given
the Virginia Shipbuilding Corpora
tion for the remarkable prosperity
Alexa ndria today is enjoying. This
big corporation came to Alexandria
year ago last February and Sc
lected a site on the river front, once
marsh, known as Battery Cove.
Today this corporation has 1000 men
at work and forty-five acres under
enclosure and II is engaged in build
Ing big steel freighters.
The first OF these was launched Feb
ruary q last. in the presence of a
large assemblsge of persons and from
now on, others will be launched in
rapid succession.
These yards have a capacity of
ship a month OF the character OF the
Gunston Hall. which means that one
Of those big ships is on the ways four
months and two months at the finish
ing dock, or one completed ship a
month.
The company has a contract for
twelve steel carriers of the same size
and type of the Gunston Hall The
yard is built for permanency and the
Virginia Shipbuilding Corporation will
build ships as long as the demand
for ocean tonnage continues.
Another big enterprise now in
course OF construction in this city
on the river front is a big torpedo
assembling plant which is being
New York, for the United States
government.
1t is expected that this plant
will be completed early this sum
mer. More than 500 men 1t is es-
timated will be employed at this
plant. among whom will be a large
number of skilled mechanics who
will come from every part OF the
United States.
Alexandria succeeded in landing
this big enterprise despite the fact
that there were many other cities
in the United States eager for the
plant. Its close proximity to
Washington and the deep water
were among many advantages orrer-
ed by Alexandria over her sister
cities in bidding for its establish
ment here.
The problem OF housing the great
ly increased population, estimated
at more than $4,000 during the past
year, or making a total of $4,000,
has been a hard nut to crack.
However, first steps along this
line were taken by the General
Realty Company.
This company purchased the Rose
mont property. one of the most at
tractive subdivisions in this section.
A new part designated as East
was laid out by a force
OF engineers and more than 1000
houses either have already been
erected or in course of construction.
These houses today are occupied
just as rapidly as they are COM
pleted, and many of the persons oc-
cupying them are purchasing the
houses.
The people who have come here to
work at the plant OF the shipbuild-
ing company want to become per-
manent residents OF the hustling
city of Alexandria, and many al
ready have purchased homes in
various other parts of the city. They
say Alexandria is a healthful city
in which to live.
Alexandria has a live, wide-awake
Chamber of Commerce. which is
-. &c 10 - H..
city in its wonderful Industrial ad
vancement.
One OF the latest movements of this
organization. just launched few
days ago, is the organization of its
members to subscribe stock to build
homes for the new residents of Alex
andria-
For a start, the sum OF s100, 900 will
be raised among the members and be-
fore many more weeks 1t is believed
that the actual work of building
houses under the direction OF those in
terested will be started. 1t is predict
ed that others also will be built this
summer by private individuals.
At the present time Alexandria is
congested and more homes are needed
for the rapidly increasing popula-
tion of the city.
To meet the requirements OF a num-
Der of new hotels and cafes have
been started and all are prospering.
In the various other lines of mer-
camille endeavor other enterprises
have also started and all report a
big business.
Another move under way here Is
change in the plan of city govern
ment. The idea is to have a busi-
ness manager take charge of the af-
fairs of the city. This, however,
will have to be submitted to the
electorate OF the city.
The city is keeping pace with the
general line of progress, and modern
fire apparatus has been purchased,
new streets and sewers laid and a
large amount of other work accom-
plished.
The physician in charge OF the
United States Public Health Service
is looking after the health of the
city and good results are expected
during the coming year.
Now that Alexandria is on the
high road of prosperity the indica-
tions are that other enterprises soon
will come here, according to well
founded reports, and the city once
more will take on the commercial
supremacy that 1t boasted of many
years ago before Baltimore obtained
A portion of her trade