Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-08-14
ADVANTAGES OF CITY
.(Cormunicatedl'

metropolis as we'll as being one OF the
most important historical cities IN
the country.
With its many old original buildings
and historic points of interest, which
reflect the personal atmosphere OF
George Washington, General Lafay-
fstte. and other great men whose lives
were linked with the colonial develop
mant and founding of our great nation
Land where relics of their daily lives
fmay be viewed, no: other city N the
EUn:ted States can compare with Alex
| ardria as point of interest in the
heart of every American citizen.
AS coming commercial and indus
trial city, located, as it is, only SIX
miles from the Nations Capital, on
;se beautiful Potomac River, which is
Elavigable to deep water vessels; with
| me great Potomac Freight Yards IN
FITS suburbs, where practically all of
The freight to and from the entire
South is transferred from one 10 the
| ,ther of the six main railroads pass
ne through the community. The great
sh:pyard, government manufacturing
plant. and other industries. now en-
plcE;ng many mechanics form soi;n
basic foundation for an industrial
community which should quickly stride
% the front. There are unlimited num-
Aers of IDEAL sites for industrial plants
If every description, with both deep
wa.er and rail transportation taciil-
.ise. and with a very small amount OF
| ?o:mal encoura cement. large num-
5e. Of new and thriving enterprises
should be brought to the community.
The new suburban districts recent
y built along the electric lines leac-
{ ag from the city, afford ample and
| comfortable housing facilities for the
employees of these industries, while
The many large and up-to-date stores
lr:: amusement places in Alexandra,
an; the proximity of the great city OF
shington make it possible for the
1acp.c 10 live comfortably. eccnoml-
ally and happily.
| II is apparent that Alexandria has
the resources for making it one CT tie
'ea:iing and best known cities in inc
] country. However, without making
lproper use of these resources, and
property developing them, they will lie
!crmant, and will benefit no one.
/ With the resources which this city
mas at its disposal. it could be and
should be as widely known and a.
popular as the State of California.
However, before tie city can be prop
erly advertised, and before any cit!-
zen can whole-heartedly boost it, it
must be physically cleaned up ard
made really attractive.
The principal thing which Alexan-
dcia should do. and do right now, IS
10. clean up King street. Hundreds Of
thousands of people from all over tn"
wor.t travel along King street every
vtar, and the impression they get
from what they see along this street
/; their impre> sion of Alexandria.
King street sidewalks should be
wiGened and properly paved. and
drinking fountains installed. The old
stone AMI iron steps which now ex-
.erd several feet cutt into the side
walk should be done away win. All
r. OF. barrels. toXcs and other in,
::nitary obstruc>; ms SHOULD be =
moved from the street. The old lamp
posts. electric wires and posts, and
.rees should be removed, and the wlre;
out underground or run through III"
alleys. The heavy signs which no"
extend far out over the sidewalks en-
drngcrinc TIE lives of those who
must walk rnder them. and shutting
off taa Y:ew up and down the stree
sholi be removed, and the placing OF
such s;y.Is snould be restricted to such
c0nditi9ns as will be consistent WITH
the safety of the public as is done IN
practically every other modern city.
The valuable historical points ana
buildings should be catalogued. clean
&C up and made accessible to the
general public.
The city should build several up-to-
date, sanitary lavatories. preferably
underground. in the business section
|-of the city, for the convenience OF Is
cwn citizens as we'll as for the many
strangers who visit the city each day.
ard especially Sundays,
No one who has had OCCASION to use
the highway between this city and
Washington need be told Of its lamen-
table condition; nor need they be told
that hundreds of strange motorists
from all over the United States drive
over this road every day on their way
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