Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-22
WELFARE OF THE CITY
Mention of Divergent Lines of
Development.
SEE HIVE OF INDUSTRY
Merchants Point Out Opportunities
and Possibilities.
ART AND INDUSTRY COMBINED
Vacant Spaces Pointed Out as Suit
able Sites for Factories-Em-
ployment for Labor.
ART AND INDUSTRY COMBINED

Many divergent lines of future develop
ment of Washington are predicted by
local business men and other residents
Interested in the welfare of the city In
interviews with Star reporter. Many
see "city beautiful and point out
what must be done to make it such
Others look forward to a hive of indus
try in the District and mention the OPP
portunities and possibilities presented
Mr.. Thomas Bryan Huyck of the firm of
J. V. n. & T. B. Huyck, who has given
careful consideration to the question says:
My views as to the best ways and
means for making Washington the most
beautiful city in the world, briefly stated,
are for Congress to provide for the sew
eral great public improvements so ably
and perslstently advocated by The Star.
Principle among these are:
The prompt purchase by the govern
ment of the property south of Pennsyl-
vania avenue, to be used for public build
ingS and park, and the development of
the latter along natural lines.
The early erection of a great memorial
bridge to Arlington and the acQuiringsby
the government of the property eontigu-
Gus to the approaches to the bridge.
The liberal increase and development
of the public parks and general parking
system, especially the reclamation and de-
velopment into parks of the Rock Creek
valley. from Connecticut Avenue bridge
to the river, and OF the Anacostia flats.
Mr.. Huyck's Suggestions.
Next, if not prior, in Importance to the
foregoing generally advocated improve
ments. 1 would suggest said Mr.. Huyck:
First, the early extension and inn
provenent Of the principal avenues and
outlets, such as New York. Rhode Island
and New Hampshire avenues, and legis-
lation definitely fixing all street extern
sions upon the direct lines of the present
streets within the city limits. 1t is a re-
markable fact" he said. that, with all
the modern facilities for grading and the
vast sums being expended by other COM
munities, railroads and SO on for straight
ening streets and highways, there is. with
the exception of North Capitol, list and
18th streets northwest (all Of which run
only short distance), but one north
and south street in the National capital
which is extended all the way in an ex-
actly straight line, conforming to the
streets in the city, viz, 10th street or
the Boulevard of the Presidents. This is
a serious defect. which should be rene
died without delay. regardless Of present
cost and inconvenience. in order to avoid
greater and possibly prohibitive cost and
injury hereafter.
Secondly. and in connection with the
street extensions, the elimination of the
almost mad desire for asphalt every
where. All streets beyond the old city
limits. or Florida avenue should be
treated like park roads, as are the streets
in upper New York and in the beautiful
suburbs of Boston, Philadelphia, Chi
cago, San Francisco and most other
cities large and small. A splendid ex-
ample IN this connection has been set in
the change from asphalt to macadam Of
f1a m ro
would not only add to the beauty of the
suburbs and city generally but to the
comfort and pleasure Of the residents in
those sections. The beautiful asphalt
streets of the city. added Mr.. Huyck.
with an accent on beautiful" ARE also
sadly in need of better provision for their
keep, the condition of many Of them we'll
excusing. if not entirely justifying, the
sharp criticism Of the mayor Of west
ern city who was visitor here last year.
The recent condition of Pennsylvania
avenue west of 18th street Is a fair ex-
ample, especially in front of the White
House, where 1t was SO bad that one
might easily believe it were purposely left
so to facilitate rough riding.
Thirdly, the adoption of a building
and health regulation, such as prevails
in other cities. prohibiting the erection
of long rows of dwellings without ade-
quate and liberal space between; at least
all should be detached or semi-detached,
giving plenty of light and air and great
ly improving the general health and
beauty of the city. Such a plan," he de-
clared would probably meet with vigor-
Gus opposition by those builders who
think it necessary to cover every avail
able foot of ground to get the largest
profit, but / believe it to be one of the
most important requirements for the
city's beauty. health and general well
fare
Mr.. Hahn's View.
What Washington needs is factories
and there is no reason why we should not
have them" said Mr.. William Hahn.
There is plenty of land along the river