The times., 1899-11-19
MOUNT vernon AVENUE
Enthusiastic Meeting of Promoters
Of the Proposed Boulevard.
The hoard OF Directors Elected at
Yesterdays Session VIII Push the
Matter OF an Appropriation for
the Purpose When Congress Con-
venes-HistoricaI Highway Planned

ALEXANDRIA. Nov. ia meeting Of
the Mount Vernon Avenue Association was
held in this city this afternoon. There was
a good attendance and much interest was
manifested in the proposed construction Of
a magnificent highway from Washington to
the tomb Of Washington in Mount Vernon.
The following were elected directors to
serve until the annual meeting of the as
socistion, which VIII be held in May next:
From Alexandria city-Park Agnew. N.
p. Harlow, c. c. Carlin, W B. Smoot. J. x.
II. Norton, Hubert snowden, E. E. Down
ham. James R. Cation, ". T. Carne. C. c.
Leadbeater, G. L. Boothe. and J. NJ. Hill.
From Alexandria county-Frank Hume,
former Senator J. B. Henderson, DR.. Ia
bcr johnson. A. B. Graham, J. E. Glenn
ents, and Dr. G. Wythe Cooke
From Fairfax county. E. Willard, R.
W. Moore, W. H. snowden, and A. J. We'd
derburn.
From Washington-Stilson Hutchins, B.
H. Wilkins. c. S. Noyes W. S. Knox, John
Joy Edison. n H. Shea, A. GreenIees, NJ. 5.
Trimble, and +. Mertens.
The directors viii meet next week and
elect officers and the association viii be
permanently organized.
The meeting Of the association today in
dicates that an active effort viii be made
to secure an appropriation from Congress
10 begin before the close of the present
century the construction Of this proposed
grand national boulevard as a memorial to
the illustrious Washington, from the city
he founded-Washingto his tomb at
Mount Vernon.
The idea Of constructing an avenue from
Washington city 10 Mount Vernon was
first suggested by City Treasurer NJ. B.
Harlow, Esq. Of this city, in 1885. He
communicated his thoughts 10 the late
Col. z. W. Fox. editor and proprietor OF
the National Republican," who heartily
approved the project, and devoted much
SPACE in his paper and exerted his per-
sonal influence 10 the day Of his death, in
advocating the proposed memorial.
In 1887 q meeting OF the citizens Of
Washington, Alexandria city and county,
and Fairfax county was held at the Opera
House in this city. ard an organization
was effected. known as the Mount Vernon
Avenue Association, which was chartered
by the Legislature Of Virginia February
J. 1883. AS a further evidence OF the great
interest manifested by Virginia in this
project March 8, 1855 the Legislature
by the State against the General Govern
ment for $4,000, which sum was ad-
vanced by the State of Virginia in 1880
and used by the Government in the con-
struction OF the first public buildings
erected at Washington.
In 1889 an appropriation of $4,000 was
unanimously voted by Congress for the
purpose Of making surveys, ascertaining
the cost, and the feasibility Of the Govern
meut's endorsement Of the proposed ne
mortal highway Col Peter c. Hams
was detailed by the Secretary Of War to
make the necessary surveys. After COM
pleting his work, Colonel Hams, in sub
mitting his report, highly endorsed the
carrying out Of the proposition Of the
Mount Vernon Avenue Association. Sec
retary Endic0tt, in his report to Con-
gress on the subject also endorsed the
matter. This report was presented TO
Congress in 1880 but no definite action
was taken by that body looking 10 the
construction Of the memorial highway.
The report Of the Secretary Of War was
that the minimum cost OF the highway
would be 81 .200,0 000 and the maximum
s. 0G0 oe0 This provided for the building
OF the graudest boulevard in the world,
communicating at the south end OF the pro-
posed memorial bridge (across the Poto-
mac from New York Avenue TO Arlington,
thence TO Alexandria and across Hunting
Creek. q branch Of the Potomac. on a pro-
posed memorial bridge to be constructed
in honor Of Lafayette, De Kalb. ROcham-
beau, and other foreign officials who aided
the United States in the Revolutionary
war. Then from the south end Of this
structure TO the tomb Of Washington at
Mount Vernon.
The distance is seventeen miles, which
81 is proposed 10 subdiyide into as many
reservations as there are States and Terri
tories, naming the reservation after the
States and Territories respectively allotted.
The boulevard is intended 10 be 250 feet
wide, the roadway occupying sixty feet, the
residue TO be utilized in planting trees,
shrubbery. plants, and flowers, native 10
the States; also erecting statues IN bronze
and marble to their distinguished citizens
whom they may desire 10 honor.
Il viii be seen that ample ground is pro-
vided TO carry out the idea Of the associa-
tion, which is intended 10 be combination