Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-16

project shall not meet with favor here. it
is possible that at some future time 1t
may be carried out in connection with some
western university.
The unanimous and prompt recommen-
dalton Of the resolution by the Senate COM
mittee public buildings and grounds,
and the passage of the measure under
unanimous consent on Wednesday last in
the Senate, afford expectation that the
matter may meet with sufficient further
approval to crystalline the idea in enduring
| form"
In an interview with Alex. D. Anderson,
whose active interest in the project is
mentioned by Senator Cannon, The Star
secured the following interesting facts:
L consider the proposed map a matter
OF very great prac teal Importance and
value. particularly If located at Washing
ton. where it will be easily accessible to
those engaged in the consideration of pub
lie subjects which require a clear and ac-
curatc understanding Of the geography,
topography. areas and other physical fea-
lures OF the various sections of the United
states. 1t will be Goubly valuable II 1t
includes, as Senator Cannon, in his recent
speech intimated that 1t might, neighbor-
ing American republics and colonies such
as Mexico, Central America and Cuba
Viewed from that standpoint the map
would be most Instructive object lesson
Tor the study of such subjects as the public
lahds' and the Irrigation of the arid lands
OF the great west, the proposed ship canal
from the Great Lakes 10 the Atlantic, the
lmpro cement of the Mississippi river. trans
Delaware ship canal the Florida ship
canal, the Nicaragua ship canal. the Te-
huantepec ship railway. coast defenses,
harbor improvements and hundreds Of
other subjects OF similar nature
Location on Potomac Flats,
"A glance at the Potomac flats is su.l-
cent to demonstrate the superior advan-
tages Of this location for the map. The
general trend of the Pacific coast line of
the nited States, Mexico and Central
america conforms exactly to the Potomac
SIDE OF the reclaimed flats. A slight
change in the flushing or tidal reservoir of
the Hats would make it conform to the
Gulf of Mexico. and by a slight change
IN the shape Of the propagating ponds of
the United States fish commission near the
northern boundary of the flats they could
easily be made to represent the Great
Lakes small stream flowing from these
lakes to the gulf would represent the Mis-
sissippi river. The small outlet from the
tldal reservoir into the Potomac a little
above the Long bridge could be made to
represent the Nicaragua ship canal from
conforms to the points Of the compass.
1T is doubtful if anywhere else in the
whole United States a tract of land could
ser lound 20 perfectly adapted to the con-
summation OF this project. Among the
other advantages of this location is the
TACT that the flats are already owned by
the United States. and are for sanitary, as
Well as other reasons soon to be declared
park and improved as such. 1t will cost
but little, If any, more to lay out a park
~ the form Oh our country In miniature
than an ordinary park. The great eX-
perse which it was at first thought would
De necessary TO purchase the land, do the
srao1ns, and supply the water for the
gun lakes and rivers, is, by the of
the mats, totally eliminated. and therefore
removes every possible objection to the
successful carrying out of the project
Area of the Map.
lf located on the flats the map could be
constructed on scale Of about 800 acres
LOT the United States, and 465 acres for the
United States. Mexico Central America
and the gulf This scale is trif1e over two
linear feet to the linear mile and four
square feet to the square mile
The areas Of the several states and ter
as follows:
"Alabama. 5; Arizona, IL; Arkansas, S;
y oa a. 10; Colorado, 10; Connecticut.
70; delaware. o. Florida. 6; Georgia, 6;
ioano. 8; Illinois. 6; Indiana, A. Indian terri
tory, 3; Kansas, s; Louisiana, 5; Maine j.
Minydant 1; Massachusetts, l; Michigan, g.
MNilnnesota, 9; Mississippi 5: Missouri, 7;
Iohtana, 10; Nebraska, s; Nevada, II; New
hampshire, l; New Jersey. /; New Mexico
~; New York, ); North Carolina, ); North
~. 9 Z; Ohio, 4: Oklahoma, 4: Oregon.
South Carolina, 3; South Dakota. '' s.: Ten Fen
H W: 4; Texas. n; Utah. 8; Vermont, l.;
Virginia 4; Washington Z; West Virginia
Z; Wisconsin. 6; Wyoming, 10.
-. ms ms gives the United States 300; Mexico,
Co. Co. central America " Gulf of Mexico. GO;
'feat Lakes .; cuha, 4; total of 465
boundaries and Driyeways.
Inc project as outlined by Senator Can
non contemplates a. grand driveway around
the boundary Of the United States, Mexico
ana Central America, with foot paths for
.he STATE boundary lines. These walks
nhat. 1t may also he desirable to have one
lranscontinental driveway. If so, it could
follow the line of tfietUnion ard Central
Pacific railway obi nf1 na;obbor:p, stoto
lires. r
If the map shohlds be so constructed
mat the vertical scale corresponds with
the horizontal scale; the highest elevations
on the map, such az Pixies Peak would be
about six feet above the sea level. But
uHderstand that it rs customary in con-
structins large relief maps to magnify the
VeTtlcai scale three, four or five times. II
enlarged three times it would give an ele-
feet. -
Observation Towers.
"A very important feature of project of
this nature is suitable observation towers
where the visitor can get a comprehensive
bird view of the whole park. Such
towers. usually skeleton steel structures,
have been constructed on the Chickamauga
Military Park, Gettysburg, Fairmount Park
at Philadelphia and elsewhere. But around
the POTOMAC flats a series of observa
tlon towers, or points, already In existence,
sccn as washington monument on the east
ern edge OF the map. the Capitol State De- |
partment Executive Mansion, Arlington