Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-12-15
OPENING OF
v HITE v AY
CELEBRATED
Thousands Line King Street
And Witness Turning
On Of Lights
PARADE FOLLOWS
Carnival Feature Omitted Owing 10
UnpropitiOus Weather - Seven
Squares Brilliantly Illuminated by
F0rty-twO Lights.

Thousands of persons last night
lined King street and witnessed the
turning on of the light on AleXan-
dria't White Way. The lights were
flashed on promptly at 8 o'clok by
Mayor William A. Smoot from the
office of the Alexandria Light and
Power Company on King street, in
the presence of a number of city Of
ficials, former city ocials and others
There was no formal ceremony in
connection with the turning on of tho
lights, although minute before they
were turned on the old street lights
on the seven squars of white way
were extinguished and almost in
stantly the new lights shone forth in
brilliant splendor showing a marked
improvement over the old lighting
system and there was applause from
the multitude assembled, packing
both sides of King street the entire
seven squares from Fairfax to Pat
rick streets.
The turning on of the White Way
lights was the signal for the parade
which had been formed at King and
Fairfax streets.
The parade was headed by detail
of police with Chief Goods and Sergt,
Wilkinson in charge, and Of which c.
c. Batcheller was chief marshal.
Then came the Citizens Band, the
two tribes of Red Men, Osceola and
Seminole, its members being decora-
ted in true Red Men style with war
paint and fathers. Next came the
Friendship Veteran Fire Association
with their old hand engine mad this
was followed by tho three volunteer
fire comanies, CUiumhii, No. 4, Motor
Companies 1 and , u uniform, with
apparatus.
Owing to the l,lemency Of the
weather. there was no masquerade
feature in connection with the affair
and only two persons appeared in
masked costume. The fire bells were
rung durirg the nassing of the pa
rade.
The lights which kept burning till
midnight after which they were turn
ed off and the old lights again turned
on.
The business men of the city and
citizens generally expressed them
slves as highly gratified with the
briliancy Of the new lights and it is
believed that it will be only matter
Of time before the lights are extended
all the way up King street.
In connection with the parade, B.
3. EZrine was marshal Of one divis-
ion and F. Clinton Knight of an
other and the fire department was
headed by Fire Chief McDermott.
Mavor Smoot was accompanied to
the office of the Alex9rdria Light and
Power Company by the following who
witnessed the formal turning on the
lights CITY Manager Wilder NJ
Rich City Councilman F.. F. Ticer;
F. F. Marbrry, president Of the
old board of aldermen: Il F. Burke,
president of the old common council;
Robert T.. Knight, president of the
chamber of commerce; Benedict We'll,
president of the retail merchants bu-
reau Of the Chamber of Commerce;
Aubrey n. Shuman and j. William
May, from the chamber of commerce;
Kenneth w Ogden, former chief of
the fire department; George f. War
field, president of the Alexandria
Light mad Power Company and E. A.
Feldtkeller, general manager Of the
Alexandra Light and Power Com
pany.
A short time before the parade
started King street was roped off on
both sides of the seven intersections
In view Of the fact that weather con-
dition prevented the carnival sched-
ulei TO follow was called off and the
ropes soon were removed and all
streets opened to traffic.
Shortly after O'Clock the majority
Of the sightseers who came out TO
witness the formal turning on Of the
lights went home. Everyone ex-
pressed themservs as highly
pleased with the splendid lights.
The long sought for. dream Of the
merchants Of the city to have
White Wav has at last been realized
and now the only talk is for its ex--
tention all the way TO the head OF
King street.
The removal of the poles on King
street. the only obstacle remaining TO
mar the general appearance OF tnlngS
on the seven squarec of the White
Way. will it is stated probably be
accomplished within the next ninety
davs.
Members cf the chamber Of com,
nerca and others who have worked
;rdefatioably in the interest Of the
White Wav last night were the re-
cipients of congratulations on the
screomplishment of this part Of their
nrooram for "Greater Alexandra"
There are forty-two lights on the
white wav which take the place of
seven that were formerly used for