Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-12-28

| Definite steps were taken today to-
ward the building Of modern high
way between this city and Fairfax
Courthouse, distance Of fourteen
miles, at largely attended mass
meeting held in the auditorium Of the
Chamber Of Commerce.
Members of the state highway COM
mission headed by State Highway
Commissioner George P. Coleman
were present and heard the argu-
, ments in favor Of the construction of
the road The members Of the high
way commission attending included ::
Wade Fl. Massie, of Washington, Va,
chairman; H. T. Beck, Richmond; :;
Horace Hardaway, Bristol; F. W.
Davie, Lawrenceville, and j. H. Bear,
Roanoke.
The meeting was called to order by
Mayor James NJ. Duncan who, on be-
half of the city of Alexandria, extend
ed welcome to the visitors.
The meeting was presided over by
Wade H. Massie, chairman of the
board.
After Il general discussion regard
ing the necessity for the construction
Of this roadway special committee
was appointed to confer regarding
financing the proposition and they
made most favorable report which
: those in attendance feel confident
will result in the construction of the
proposed highway early in the spring.
The special committee was compoS-
ed of members of the board Of super
visors of Fairfax county, officials Of
Alexandria and the members of the
state highway commission. The con-
ference lasted about half an hour.
The question of the rcfunding of the
money which will be allocated by the
state was the main issue at stake and
this difficulty will, it is believed, be
surmounted from the report sub
mitted.
Attending the meeting, in addition
to the highway commissioners, were
members of the board of supervisors
of Fairfax county, and large and
representative gathering of citizens of
Fairfax county together with "A large
delegation of officials of Alexandria,
together with many of the leading
business men of the city. 1t is csti-
mated that at least 300 persons at
tended.
Garner L. Boothe. after the meet
ing had been called TO order, address
ed the gathering. He explained the
object of the meeting. as being for
the construction of a modern roadway
between Alexandria and Fairfax
Courthouse. The matter, he said,
was of utmost Importance not only to
the citizens of Alexandria but to the
residents of the surrounding country.
This section, he declared. is not ac-
cessible to the Valley of Virginia ow-
ing to the bad condition of the roads.
Alexandria. he asserted. is the largest
city in northern Virginia, and he be-
! lieved it only emminentlv fair that it
should be connected with Winchester
with good road; and he urged the
commission to ser that sIch road is
built He argued that the construr-
tion of such road wond be of great
benefit to northern Virginia. and
mako it rossibln to reach the Valley
of Virginia in two hours. while now
it takes six or eipht hours by railroad
The question IF financing was asked
of the commission BY ". A. Smoot
and he questioned Commissioner Cole
man rcoardirn the necessary proco-
dr~n to be followed.
Chairman Massie assured the
gathering that there was no road
, more imnnrtant than the one now be-
ing considered. md that there will he
an aloontion If funds for its constrrc
ton This statement was received
with applause.
In renlv to question of Carroll
Pierce as tn the nlans submitted for
! financir" the construction Of III"
rood. Mr.. Nassie renlie1 that th"s"
nlars nrovidn FOR bond issue 70 he
made BIZ Tairfax county and for the
money n ho allocated By tho state to
ho ru"ntu"llv returned 70 the county.
the state. however. not to pay any in
terest an 'he bonds.
Fronk Ballcnger. member of the
| board of sunervisors Of Fairfax
county. urged the commission to ac-
cept the proposition Of Fairfax coun-