Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-09
PERMIT FOR SPEEDWAY
q. s. GOVERNMENT CONSENTS TO
ITS CONSTRUCTION.
Temporary Course to Be Built at Once
Where Fast Horses May Be
Exercised.

The plans for the construction of tenn
porary speedway, as proposed by the Road
Drivers and Riders Association. have been
approved by the engineering department OF
the United States government. When the
Road Drivers and Riders Association was
organized in this city in June last for the
purpose of promoting good fellowship
among the lovers of horses the members of
the association undertook to further the
interest in driving by formulating plans
with a view to securing for the driving
public of Washington suitable speedway,
such as can be found in many Of our larger
cities.
Washington has never had any such road
way until few weeks ago, when the ehofts
of the association were rewarded throus n
the courtesy of the engineering department
of the government, by placing at the dis
posal of the public the new Potomac Park
driveway, where the driving of fast horses
was, and is STILL permitted Saturday AFTER
moons.
Realizing that there were many citizens
interested in the work Of the association
equally as fond of horses as any OF lis
members, who were unable to attend tie
Saturday matinees on the park driveway On
account of business, 1T was voted at re-
cent meeting of the board OF directors OF
the Road Drivers and Riders Association
to endeavor to secure permission from the
engineering department to construct, Win
out expense to the government, a. suitable
roadway on the reclaimed land southWes.
Of 10th and streets northwest, when
could be used as a temporary speedway
until such time as Congress may make an
appropriation for the extension of the park
system. including the construction OF
permanent speedway, thus giving all ao-
mirers of good horses the opportunity
afforded by a roadway where fast driving
is permitted.
Source of Satisfaction.
That the permission asked for has been
granted, and one Of the principal objects OF
the Road Drivers and Riders Association
practically accomplished, is source of sat
isfactlon and pleasure not only to the men,
bers of the association, but to the driving
public generally.
The speedway will be built and main
tanned by popular subscription at cost OF
about $3.50. Many pubiic-spirited citizens
have already sent subscriptions for this
purpose to the treasurer of the Road Driv-
ers and Riders Association, Mr.. E. H.
Droop, and. as the work of constructing
the road will commence at once, it is hoped
to have a creditable speedway in this city
before the end of the year
The following letters from Mr.. P. V.
DeGraw secretary of the Road Drivers
and Riders Association, to Col. Thomas w.
Symons, superintendent of public buildings
and grounds, and the reply of Col. Symons,
granting the permission asked, are of in
terest to every citizen of the District.
MI. DeGraw's Letter.
The first from Mr.. DeGraw to Col. sy-
mons, dated November %, reads
THE members of the board of directors
Of the Road Drivers and Riders Associa-
ton of the District of Columbia present
their compliments and further thanks for
week of the Potomac Park driveway, for
friendly contests of speed, and in view of
the fact that that roadway will soon become
too hard for fast driving. respectfully re-
quest authority of the engineering depart
ment to lay out on the reclaimed land
southwest of 10th and B streets northwest
a plain dirt road of about 100 feet wide by
about mile in length, where road drivers
and riders may continue the healthful exer-
else, the roadway to be governed by such
rules and regulations as may be approved
by your department.
Our contractor has made thorough inves-
tigation of the premises and advises us that,
If permitted to begin work at once, he can
have the proposed roadway completed in
time for inauguration during the Christmas
holidays. In these circumstances, l am re-
quested to urge immediate decision.
You understand, of course, that funds for
constructing the new roadway will be con-
tributed by the members of our association
and other persons who may be interested in
tiIc pIOJtCt
The Reply Favorable.
Colonel Symons' reply is as follows:
You letter of the 23d ult asking permits
sion for your association to lay out on the
reclaimed land southwest of 10Th and B
streets northwest plain dirt road about
100 feet wide and one mile in length, for
speedway, was duly received and submitted
to the chief of engineers, with recommended
ton for favorable consideration.
My recommendation has been approved,
and the Road Drivers and Riders AssOcia-
ton of the District of Columbia is hereby
authorized to build and maintain at its
own expense a soft roadway about a mile
in length and sixty to one hundred feet in
width in the area of the reclaimed Potomac
Park, lying between the river, the sewer
canal and B street northwest, with en-
frances at 10th and 23d streets, as shown on
the Enclosed blue print.
1.-The construction, maintenance and use
of this speedway is to be under"the general
charge of this office, with the understand
ing that 1t is not to interfere in any way
with the operations of the engineer depart
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