Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-01

Is expected that it will be practically
rabuil+ when the weather permits. An
other roadway building project OF note
is that of the Alexandria Washington
Pike, which parallels the railroad
track. An appropriation OF 100000
was made for this work IN 1920 dur
inc the administration of eX-President
Colonel J. Y. Williams. The work,
however. was not completed, and the
road opened for traffic until some time
in May, 1921.
1t will be seen from this brief out
line that Alexandria will shortly be in
possession of good roads leading
north, south and west, which should
add considerably to her commercial
prestige if taken advantage OF.
The third item of Importance was
the launching of the campaign for the
change in municipal government
which had been endorsed at the last
annual meeting of this booy as an eco
nomic proposition was carried
through to a successful conclusion,
and nothing remains now to be done
but the selection of suitable candidates
for councilmen.
The Chamber of Commerce has not
been able to accomplish much at this
time with our fourth project, that of
providing n comfortable place for or
carnations working in the interests
of municipal advancement, other than
that the auditorium of this organiza
ton is always open for this work, and
has already been used extensively. 1t
is thought. however, that place pro-
vided by the city where large conven-
tions could be held wolld be a decided
advantage to the welfare of our bust
ness and civic interests, and should be
kept on our calendar for future con-
sideration.
When the illumination of King
street, to be known as "White Way"
was made a definite part of the activ-
tiles for the wear 1921, committee
was appointed to look into the light
ing situation and see what could be
done. the committee went to work with
a will, with the result that practically
all the merchants doing business on
King street between Fairfax and Pat
rick streets signifed their willingness
to Join in the movement. This was
made al the more possible through
the cooperation of the Alexandria
County Lighting Company, who
agreed to absorb 60 per cent Of the
installation of the system. provided
the merchants would absorb 40 per
cent. This agreement was received
with much satisfaction. This work
vii involve an expenditure on the
part Of the lighting company and the
merchants of $4,000. The favorable
action of the City Council. recently
taken assures the proposition being
put into effect, and final plans will be
perfected without delay.
In passing from the foregoing, it is
hardly necessary to say that the de-
tails in connection with this work
have been large and varied, and 1t
might not be on of place to say here
that in the prosecution of this and
other work that appropriations of
nearly 5000 have been made, which
you will find included in the trasurer's
report under the head of general ex-
penses. Many other things have been
accomplished Of concern to the COM
munity and which have called for a
great deal of work in the committees.
During the year we have co-operat-
ed in the movement of raising funds
for the "Relief Of Distressed Women
and Children of Ireland" and "Amer-
lean Jewish Relief Committee" by
which very substantial amounts were
received. Your special committee as
sisted in securing physical education
in our High School, and supervisor
of education, to be associated with the
superintendent of schools. both of
which have been very valuable in our
school system. In May your board Of
directors sent a delegation to the an
nual convention Of the United States
Chamber of Commerce held in At
lantic CITY, n. j., where problems of
national Importance were discussed
In the same month we secured action
by City Council and the city engineer
in the matter of remaining and i'm
provement of sidewalks, and the good
effect along this line has been very
noticeable. There was appropriated
by the board S75 for the use Of the
Civic Rnreau in the interests of a
"Clean Up-Paint Up" week campaign,
and which the committee having the
matter in charge reported as success
full. An appropriation was also made
to install the latest filing device for
our Credit Report Bureau, thousands
of names being now in our records,
and they are Of great value to our
members. A suitable appropriation
was made to send delegation to the
annual convention of the Retail Mer-
chants Association of Virginia.
The large sign ct the upper end Of
King Street advertising the city.
which had gotten into bad shape. was
completely remodeled and repainted.
Adequate illumination was installed,
with the assistance of the Alexandria
County Lighting Company, and since
that time has received much faborable
comment In June your business man.
ager made a short trip through North
ern Virginia in the interests of devel-
opinp our back country by group
meetings. 1t is felt that much good
was accomplished and that we may
count on the cooperation of chambers
of commerce in this direction when
ever necessary. We secured the loca-