The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-07-10
From the York Dispatch.


Abraham Lincoln, in celebration OF
his Tooth birthday anniversary, Con-
gresham ID. F. Lafean, of this dis
trict, Immediately after the reconven-
ing of congress next December, will
introduce a bill providing for the con-
struction of a magnificent roadway or
boulevard, reaching from the White
House. at Washington, to the battle
field of Gettysburg, by the national
government at a cost OF $7,OOO,0OO.
Since early last winter the York Con-
gresham, together with Hon. j. L.
McCIeary, second assistant postmaster
general and others, has been quietly
working upon the project, hint OF
which was given yesterday when
General McCleary recommended it to
the Abraham Lincoln Memorial COM
mission. Following the publicity at
tending this recommendation, Con-
gresham Lafean, who spent last
Monday in Washington in consultation
with Mr.. McC1eary, consented to talk
to a Dispatch representative this
morning, before leaving for New
York on a business trip.
Mr.. Lafean stated that the proposed
Lincoln Memorial boulevard meets
with the approval of President Roose-
Welt. the Lincoln Memorial associa-
ton, Senator Knox, and scores OF con-
gressmen and other powerful infiuen-
ces. The York congressman SAID
that Senator Knox has become en-
thusiastic over the proposed road
since his recent delightful visit TOO
Gettysburg. Mr.. Lafean says that he
is confident of the success OF the
proposition So sure is he that the
measure will be approved by con-
gress that he declares the bill will
be passed finally on February IL,
1909, Lincoln's centenary, and signed
on the same day by the president.
The proposed highway will be thor
oughly modern in construction, wide
enough to accommodate with safety
and comfort the heavy traffic that is
bound to be established between the
national capital and the battlefield.
1t will be made attractive by such
designs as may be suggested by land
scape architects. 1t will be upon al
most an air line, covering distance
of about Y miles. From Washington
it will extend in a straight line to
Westminster. From Westminster IN
a straight line to Gettysburg.
The great avenue will be $50 feet
wide. Each side VIII be SO foot
roadway, with a so foot plat OF grass,
shrubbery and flowers in the center.
On one side of the boulevard will be
a 20 foot trolley roadway. If the pro-
posed plan is carried out it will be
the finest piece of roadmaking in the
world. 1t will be a point of interest
to tourists visiting Washington and
it's value to Gettysburg will be in
estimable. 1t has been predicted by
persons who have been made familiar
with the project that it will be the
most popular and busiest highway in
the country, favorite run for auto
lists en- tour, who will visit the battle
field in much greater numbers and
contribute much to the wealth and
prosperity of Gettysburg.
In discussing the project this morn
ing Mr.. Lafean said:
1--WE have been working for some
time on this measure and think enough
persons of influence have been con-
verted to the project to guarantee Its
success. When the government builds
a memorial to President Lincoln L
think it should be enduring and prac-
teal as well as attractive to the eye.
1t was our desire to avoid finished
memorial and the great Lincoln MEM
orial boulevard will be something up
on which each succeeding generation
may, by improving and adding to,
keep fresh the memory of the great
emancipation. 1t is not proposed as
highway for the rich alone. Upon
the trolley line which is to run parallel
to it the poor may travel cheaply,
securing all the enjoyment which
will be afforded those more fortunate.
For these reasons / think Lin
coin memorial boulevard would be
more practical athan a pile of archi-
lecture, no matter how artistic it
might be. The Mccall bill, now be-
fore congress, contemplates the pur-
chase of 100000 worth of real
estate in Washington on which to
erect a Lincoln memorial. This bill
provides for the requirement by con-
gress of the ground between the
national capitol and the new Union
station in Washington. If passed its
principal result will be the enrich
ment of a number of Washington land
owners.
The land is not worth 100000,
but should. the bill be passed the en-
tire appropriation would be parceled
out among the owners of property in
that territory. In opposition to the
Mccall measure the Lincoln memo
rial boulevard project is making great
Roadway and is winning friends.
president Roosevelt is so much
pleased with the idea that he yill
probably recommend it in his Decem-
Der message to congress. One of the
strongest supporters of the roadway
is Senator Knox, who has become an
enthusiast over it since his Memorial
day visit to Gettysburg. Maryland
congressman from the districts adj
jacent to the proposed roadway are
putting all their energy into the
measure.
"The Lincoln Memorial association,
which has been engaged for some
time on fitting remark of respect to
the memory Of the great president,
has endorsed the memorial roadway
and will recommend its construction.
Wherever the project has been broach-
ed it has met with such hearty ap-
proval that it's success is foregone
conclusion. There is practically no
opposition to 1t from any quarter and
! can say with feeling of absolute
confidence that on Lincoln's next
birthday, February 18th, the day will
be celebrated in congress by the final
passage of the bill. The finishing
touches of the project will also be
made that day by the president
affixing his signature to the measure.
II have another project in connec-
ton with this bill that I would prefer
IN dafor TALKING On until LATER date