Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-19
NEW BUSINESSCENTER
When Section South Of Big
Avenue Becomes Public
TRADE TO GO ELSEWHERE
Sites for Planning Mills and Other
Industries.
MORE ROOM FOR WHOLESALERS
Rock Creek Improvements and Other
Suggestions for Civic Detterment.
Northeast Sideways.
MORE ROOM FOR WHOLESALER

Northeast Subways.
The real estate dealers of the Capital
are a unit in their support nj The stars
declaration against the destruction OF the
trees and vandalism IN our parks, re
marked a spirited agent to a Star
man this morning and l am reminded
that the proposed tree destruction in tho
Rotanic Gardens is not an isolated in
stance in this city.
We desire statuary ornameutation IN
the public places in this city, but not at
the expense of natures handiwork in tho
clearing of such spaces for the simple but
effective reason that there are too many
available sites for the erection of statues
in the parks and reservations to warrant
unnecessary tree-chopping. and The stars
cry for a halt in such practices meets
with a responsive approval on our part,
and, indeed on the part Of all classes OF
citizens and business men alike.
Lafayette Park Elm.
ut will be recalled that when a site for
the erection of the Lafayette statue which
now stands in The southeast corner OF
the square bearing the celebrated French
PATRIOTS name was first considered, anu
il was decided to erect this fine piece or
bronze at this point puhlic-splrited cru
zens raised protest against the selection
of the proposed site upon the ground tnat
one of the largest of the line circle or
gigantic elms which engrds the square IN
question would have to be sacrificed 10 the
AK 20 permit a clearing TO be MADE LOT
the space ia occupied by the statue
This proper and righteous protest
however. was not needed, and the big elm
was IN due course felled, though long
after its great length had been measured
in the ground the tree lovers of this city
lamented its destruction. And 1t Is my
recollection that in the preparation OF the
site at the southwest corner or the same
square for the erection OF the companion
statue of Rochaubeau. one or more trees
at this point were also sacrificed 10 the
AK though our tree lovers made pro-
| test similar to that made In the instance
! of the Lafayette elm
an view of The Stars energetic and
| timely action in the Botanic Gardens m
stance II Is to be hoped that in the lu-
| ture when similar questions arise IN TINS
! city due regard will he given and prehmi-
! nary action will he had TO the emo tlaI
! the trees may be spared.
/ Improving Pennsylvania Avenue.
! 1.-The Incident however, serves TO direct
attention to that portion of the city lying
! south of Pennsylvania avenue and extend
| ing to the Smithsonian 6louhuS'
"This built-up triangle of land should
have long since been acquired by the gov
! eminent for park and reservation pur-
poses and the south side or the nauoh
parade ground should be lined with pun
lie structures on succeeding or alternating
blocks. thereby affording abundant space
for statuary and building purposes. ana
giving to this historic thoroughfare a
south frontage, which. when improved,
would make il one of the finest streets
toll of a
'TJltimately 1t is to be hoped this great
local Improvement may be matter OF
actual accomplishment, and not mere
possihility But then the question arises
| Where will the manufacturing and other
business concerns now situated In that
section go?
New Centers of Trade.
This question is being considered by
many Of the shrewder and far-sighted
realty operators at present. 1t is quite
eviden that with the shift of business
would come one or more new trade CEN
ters.
1.-The large planning and saw mills and
the lumber yards would in all probability
seek quarters where space could be abun-
dainty obtained at reasonably moderate
figures in the southwest or northeast
The light power plants, the minor man.
ufacturing establishments and many OF
the wholesale houses would III all prop
ability move across Pennsylvania avenue.
to where there now exists a natural field
for their operation In that section OF
the business center south of + street,
west of 1st street northwest and north
of Pennsylvania avenue.
THE principal improvements resulting
from such a proposed change would be:
"First-More parkage; the elimination
from the heart of the city of big smoke
producing chimneys and large power
plants more adapted to other sections;
the doing away with old structures whch
should have been long ago RACED TO the
ground for the credit of the City at large
and that section in particular, and the
greatly improved appearance OF the city s
chief thoroughfare leading from the Cap
itol TO the White House.
"Second-The formation of compact
and weIl-situated wholesale center and
the extension of the retail district IN
channels naturally adapted to such trade.
Rock Creek Problem.
Another local improvement problem
of Importance which progressive citizens.
especially those residing in Georgetown.
are glad The Star has taken up and in
sisted upon an early solution of. is that
of the Improvement Of Rock creek.
This Improvement problem SO closely
approaches that of Morningside Heights
Park in New York. that a comparison
will be found interesting. The municipal
authorities of the metropolis delayed this
question for years as the park reserva-
ton was on a steep side-hill. covered with
rocks, and extending from 10th to about
125th street. Finally. after years of in
sistence on the part of the citizens In the
vicinity. this barren strip of land has
been converted into picturesque park
for pedestrians. to the great improvement
OF the entire locality.
THE same rule should hold true to
the proposed Rock Creek improvement,
and the unitarian scheme of combining
the water in a cuIvert and filling in over
head should be vigorously opposed. /
fine park could be made out of barren.
rocky slopes, as the case of Morning
side Heights, ii requires no artist t. pic
ture what could be done with a small,
gracefully meandering waterway, such as
Rock creek, though a city. situated
that its banks could he converted into
lawns interspersad with walks. while
winding driveway of sufficient width
could with facility be created on one side
of the stream.
The Northeast Sideways.
Attention should be invited t. the con-
dition of the subways, or tunnels, in the