The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-27
A NATIONAL BoULEvARD.
Proposed "Highway OF History" From
Washington to MT. Vernon.

WASHINGTON, Nov 20 The beginning OF the
twentieth century will witness the construction
Of national boulevard, which, when completed.
will connect Washington and Mount Vernon.
In 1898 Congress made an appropriation oil slo'ooo
for the preliminary survey Of the route. Presi-
dent Cleveland not only signed the bill but before
its enactment interested himself In the measure.
Secretary Endicott detailed Col Peter c. Hams oil
the War Department 10 make the survey, ana
when the report was made Secretary EnoicoU
Endorsed IL and advocated the passage oil o'her
appropriations 10 begin the work The legisla-
ture of Virginia granted charter 10 the Mount
Vernon Avenue Association, and soon alter trans
ferred TO the association a claim against the Gov
eminent for s12OOOO with the understanding
that when the money collected II should DO
used In the construction Of the boulevard.
Tho Mount Vernon Avenue Association recently
met In Alexandria and elected Board OF Directors
who resolved TO resume this work as soon as the
! board elects officers, early In 1900 The wash
ington end Of this highway will be the western
entrance Of tho Capitol building The limo Will
run through tho Mall south Of the White House.
and near the monument TO tho Potomac AT the
western terminus Of New York avenue IL viii
cross tho Potomac over tho proposed memorial
bridge which will unite the Capitol with Airing
ton, the home Of Lee, and now tho Arlington Ma
tonal Cemetery.
On tho Virginia shore the boulevard will follow
tho course Of tho Potomac 70 Alexandria, and
from thence 70 Mount Vernon on the exact line
over which Washington travelled from his home
Church in that city. and in which his highbnck
pew is still pointed out to tourists when ,h H hs
s Ssos e tho nation
distance of this highway will be seventeen miles,
| the width two hundred and nifty feet This DIS
as there w are 20 States and Ts1ritories Each OF
| these sections will be named for state OF lcr,
viii Be " nsked To oon.TSu,e 70 the beauty Of The
| boulevard in whatever manner shall DO oecinoo
upon by Legislative enactment
reservation will be taken from the soil OF the State
| tho name Of which is applied TO the reservhuon'
as there will be probably in the course OF time
| they will be constructed from material taken from
the mines or anarres Of states sna t ,enm
! has been suggested that each State shall erect
statue Of its most distinguished citizen
| Tho traveller over this highway Will thus nnd
| in a short distance mute history Of tho United
States, giving him In a short Journey ooncep
ton OF the scope Of the country which he could OBJ
| tain in no other way without time and expense
II will be an avenue Of the story OF the coun-
This proIec, was frst mentioned In 1880 The
| Washington Republican suggested that there
should be constructed national highway between
I Country but the first well defined step was made
! In 1888 when tho appropriation Was made ior
meets s the capital and the tomb al Noun, vernon
do %, hI ssndeanoe TRe Proposed SoSievard
will be free TO all Its general construction will
require an army OF iaborcrs, but its completion
| in accordance with what Is outlined can only DO
accomplished when there shall be no moro his
! tory 10 make - 49,,
! wnv can scarcely he computed. Since II has
become known that the work In 10 be pushed. sug-
| grstions multiply daily. One Is that monu.
1 L. b.e ~ ~
| the name Of every man employed In the high
| ways construction. Another IL that midway
there shall be plaza IN the centre OF which shall
and NcePrrsidents II the country. In which
will he placed a statue Of each
Some Of the suggestions are fnnciful. OF course
That which proposes Pantheon somewhere
along the line in which shall be gathered the
remains ~ each President is one. This plan
provides that each succeeding President shall
The suggestion to have statues Of the military
and naval heroes grouped in temple constructed
upon a field to contain reproductions Of all the
try is being disguised There have been sug,
gcetons from thosn favorable TO tho idea Of eH.
panson that somewhere along the route ther,
shall he sone'hing ye, , dsnne :, ,hs, WI
the effort Of this Government tn cviire md ele-
waite the peoples Of the colonial possessions
An enthusiastic member OF the Mount Vernon
Avenue Association said to a Sun reporter;
Before the Close OF 1900 the country will wit
I nees the beginning 81 the National Boulevard
! Already VIZ have received letters from people II
many states Offering TO agi,ate the movement
ns soon "a shall indicate what Is wanted Cap
itasts have sent word they may be relied upon
and the moment we get fairly under Roadway TIT
States will conc in for this highway will be Al
Academy OF Honor for the exhibit OF their work
the like Of which no nation on earth can ever hop
10 surpass. or even Try to Initiate