The Washington herald., 1922-02-05
Virginia Community Now
Fights for Incorporation
Growth and Development Since Organization
Of Civic Body Eighteen Years Ago Adds to
Importance of Arlington County.

community. The unusually rapid
expansion of the subdivision into
the proportions OF a town had to
proceed along well determined
lines. Committees were appointed
by the association to work in CO.
operation with the real estate de-
velopment companies on street
plans, and to establish uniform
building lines.
washIngten An Example.
The well-ordered street system
of Washington was a striking ex-
ample to work by, and the Claren-
don association followed this ex-
ample, with the result that today
the streets OF Clarendon are broad
and straight, and that location of
the homes is at a uniform distance
from the front of the building lots.
One of the very unusual acts Of
the association was its adoption Of
policy of voluntarily taxing
itself for the purpose Of making
public improvements in the COM
munity. By this method the asso-
citation has accomplished the i'm
provement of approximately thirty
or forty street blocks. Through
the same means II has laid side.
walks along the principal streets.
put up street signs, bought plates
bearing the street number of resi-
dences and made various other
public improvements. In brief, II
has functioned practically as
town council and has provided con-
veniences and necessities without
which the community could not
have grown to its present size and
Importance. when the citizens
have been united in their desire
for an Improvement which the
county government was not able
to provide, they have generally Sc
cured it through the activities of
their own organization.
in 1911 the Rosslyn Gas Company
was induced through the activities
OF the association to lay gas mains
to the growing community. This
was done, and for eleven years
Clarendon has enjoyed the use of a
gas service in every way equal 10
that of Washington.
The association succeeded in hav-
Ing the Alexandria County Light
ing Company extend its service to
Clarendon and vicinity, with re-
sulting profit, both to the company
and to the community. The Chesa-
peske and Potomac Telephone Com
pany had previously installed
phone service on the old party
line" system. The efforts OF the
citizens to have this system modi-
fed and broadened resulted in the
installation of Clarendon ex-
change, directly connected with the
Washington service and similar to
the main exchanges.
streets Are Beautified.
The Identification of streets
through the planting of trees, and
the encouragement of flower gar
dens. etc. has been another activity
Of the association. which has con-
stantly stressed the Importance of
physical appearance in the de-
velopment of a new section. Prac-
tically every street in Clarendon
now has row OF silver-leaf
naples in the parking space on
either side.
As the community grew from a
village to the dimensions Of town
the necessity for fire protection was
'elt. Previously this need had been
uppIicd with the old-time bucket
brigade. with which the older citt-
zens Of every small town are ia
rniliar. II is not to be expected.
however. that the people in live
community should remain satisfied
with this primitive measure Of pro-
lection. BY voluntary taxation and
public contribution the citizens as
fnnhQ md nIT-
chased a modern motorized hre
equipment. consisting of chemicals
hose. ladders. etc. Recently the as
sociation ordered second modern
outfit and delivery is expected at an
early date.
One of the very material accom-
pIishments in which the Clarendon
citizens Association played no
small part was the securing of the
appropriation from Congress Tor
the construction of the magnificent
dollar Key bridge. now
being completed across the Potomac
from Thirty-fifth and N streets. in
Georgetown, to Rosslyn. Va. on the
south bank of the river. When com
nIeted. IL is said. this bridge VIII
he one of the most beautiful spans
in the world. While the Clarendon
association does not claim the en-
tire credit for securing this exten-
siye Improvement. 1t does emphasize
the Importance of its activities IN
cooperation.
For Big Power Plant.
The association has made Tor
wears a fight to get a bill through
Congress for the purpose OF mar
Messing the Great Falls to provide
a water supply on both sides or
the Potomac. Efforts in this direc-
ton are being constantly pushed
and it is felt that in the course OF
a few years this project will become
a reality.
1t has constantly been the policy