Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-12-09
HOME BUILDING PRO .''
GRAM ! NOW READY
Permanency of Naval Tor
pedo Station Is
Assured
CAMPAIGN FOR STOCK
Big Government Factory Will En-
ploy Highly Skilled Mechanics All
= of Whom Will Want Homes

A number, Of business. men of 'tht
city who have the. city's future a
heart and who desire to see AleXan
dria 60 forward have launched {
building campaign the purpose Of
which is to construct houses to ac'
commoda.e the new citizens who viii
soon be here, especially those who will
be employed at the U. S. Naval Tor.
pedo Station, this city.
The need for houses is apparent
Unless houses are erected to accom-
modate these men, many of whom
will soon be here with their families
they will have to seek quarters else
where.
ALI merchants and others who are
interested in the city's future are
urged to subscribe to the project and
Ehy so doing they. will not only be help
ing themselves but also helping the
city Of Alexandra.
Never before in the history of Alex
andria hts there been more need for
houses Snan there is at the present
time. Those who believe that the Ma
slynl Torpedo Plant is merely ''war
baby are greatly mistaken, for it is
d permanent plant and it is stated
that it will be operated just as long
.sas there is need for its product and
shat means, practically speaking,
for all time.
The committee named to secure sub
sscriptions to the building project will
begin their work this week and GER
tainly they should be given liberal
subscriptions.
Persons who subscribe for stock,
however, ere not giving anything free,
for they will get back their money and
profits that may accrue "a
AS already stated in these columns
the company has already been char
tered under the name of the. Alexan-
dria, Real Estate and Mortgage Cor
poration with a capital stock of $780,
900 and it is composed entirely OF
local business men,.
A Representatives of the Gazette
yesterday afternoon visited the BIG
Naval United States Torpedo Sta
tion on the. river front and discussed
with Capt. W. S. Miller, Inspector Of
ordinances, the prospects of the plant
and the general housing conditions.
At tho present time there are 16(
men working at this plant and fol
ordinary work, when the assembling
of torpedoes is begun, between 7o(
and 800 Will be employed and tn
maximum number will be 1,50O.
Ninety per cent Of the employe:
will be skilled mechanics: First .clas:
skilled mechanics at this plant re
ceive an average, 6f ,s6:40 per day. an'
laborers from s2B4 to s3:ea ai'day
Apprentices on starting receive S2.S
and when they become what is known
as first class apprentices they Sc
cure So to .s4.s2 a. day.
A majority Of the men who will b.
employed at this, plant will be from
other cities. and will be men VIII
have served at other yards operate'
by the government. All are under tn
civil service and are of the type o
mechanics all cities are so eager t
obtain, being first class in every re
spect.
1t is estimated by Capt. Miller tha
fully eighty-dive per cent of the me-
have families.
6 At the present time the workme'
at the plant are engaged in prelimi
nary work which is to be followed U
by the process Of assembling. the ton
pedoes, which as stated above, it
expected will begin within the nes
thirty days.
Captain Miller directed attention !
the fact that in the two building
comprising, the plant there. are 90
tons Of reinforcing steel. in the col
crete and $4,000 cubic yards, of col
crete in the structure. He SAID he fe
quite certain it never would be us'
for anything other than gorernme
work.
ordefs for torpsdoes now at hal
.t.....s g. ....,l.x, ..xa,.,s... pA11.