The Washington herald., 1919-08-11

Seoi iSelo"n SredteSt needI Is auot-
tional manufacturing plants, accord
ing to Robert d. Weaver, president
of the Georgetown Gaslight Company.
While certain elements in the District
oppose manufacturing because they
fear the smoke and CRIME will smudge
the scenic beauty of the Capital. the
leading citizens of Georgetown say
they will welcome factories to the
territory west of Rock Creek. They
point out that the waterfront and
certain localities along the Upper Po-
tomac will make ideal locations for
such plants. Water street, the home
of the old-time warehouses and pres
ent manufactures, presents artihclal
and natural advantages, including
waterpower. Besides, this bustling
street is in immediate touch with the
trunkline railways, while the water
front is privately owned and can be
made available for vessels of all
kinds.
Georgetown is intensely interesting
from several angles. 1t is one of the
oldest towns in the United states,
and being contiguous to the seat OF
national government has many his
torical show places, besides its pres
ent scenic beauty Its prominent men
declare, however, that better than all
it Is naturally d location for manu-
featuring plants, such as the present
paper mills. the Arlington flour mill
and others that are flourishing ana
adding materially to the income OF
the District
Mr.. Weaver'S statement as to
Georgetown's greatest need will, II Is
believed. be an incentive to those who
are considering the formation of
merchants and manufacturers asso-
ciatiop to get together next month
and organize.
Another matter of absorbing interest
to the business and professional men
Of Georgetown in connection with the
introduction OF manufacturing plants,
is to utilize the power of the Upper
Potomac. 1t Is the consensus of opln-
ion that this can best be accomplished
by building a dam above Chain Bridge.
which would result In supplying any
amount of water needed for power
and other purposes. Several years ago
Congressman King. of Utah, became
Harvesting the upper river. He de-
livered a speech in the House of Rep
resentatives in which he said the wa
ter power problem could be solved by
the building of dams. When informed
that certain owners of land along
the river after learning Of the water
power possibilities promptly Sky
rocketted' the price OF their holdings.
Congressman King explained how that
coEdiuon could be overcome: Let the
government condemn the land and
take it over" he said.
Congressman Carl r. Mapes. chair
man Of the District Committee of the
House. and the committee secretary.
Che rIes +. Drew, have been invited
by J. Mckenney Berry. real estate eN-
pert, 1853 Wisconsin avenue. to make
a motor trip through Georgetown. Mr..
Mapes is absent from the city. but is
expected to return tomorrow, when
Secretary Drew will present the invi-
tation. Some days ago Chairman
Mapes indicated his Willingness to
make a tour through the quaint old
town, and ii is expected therefore he
will accept the invitation of Mr.. Berry.
President Robert D. Weaver. OF the
Georgetown Gaslight Company. re-
called yesterday "reminiscences OF the
old town. lie said about forty-five
years ago the steamboat Columbia
piled between Georgetown and York
town, Va. on the James River At
the same time the big black steam
ship F. c. Knight piled between
Georgetown and New York. stopping
at Philadelphia The Columbia did
not touch at any of the lower Po-
tonIac landings. but brought cargo
of produce and what-not direct to
this port. returning with a cargo OF
mercantile supplies The Georgetown
Gaslight Company was organized H.
1884. the year in which Mr.. Weaver
was born. He found i'm his effects
the other day a paper showing the
purchase OF Il piece OF GEORGETOWN
property by his grandfather in 1871.
Mr. Weaver still owns the property.
He also recalled when what were
known as "FredCrick County butter
wagons" were lined up on George
town streets. They came into town
via Wisconsin avenue. and brought
supplies of fresh country eggs, butter
and other dairy products. These
wagons have been diverted from
Georgetown to the wholesale market
district downtown by way Of Massa-
chusetts avenue. The reason given,
the roadway along Wisconsin avenue.