Evening star., 1916-07-09
WORK IS PUSHED
ON SWAMP ROAD
Hope Is That Highway From
Here to Richmond Will Be
Opened August 20.
D. C. MOTORISTS FUND
is CLIMBING UPWARD
Contributions Fall Off Because of
Independence Day, But Are in
Nowise Checked.

While the business suspension that
usually accompanies the holiday sea-
son surrounding Independence day
somewhat retarded the forward march
of the Chopawamsic Swamp road fund,
its progress did not receive serious
setback. and a steady upward climb
is recorded for the past week, accord
ing to statement issued by officials
of the American Automobile Associa-
ton of the District of Columbia Club
under whose auspices the fund is being
conducted
Only forty-five individuals and firms
contributed during the week, a small
number compared with the 144 con-
tributions recorded for the. previous
week, but this has not had any ap-
parent dampening effect on the ardor
of the fund committee, which pro-
poses to continue its efforts with added
zeal and push the construction of the
Washington Richmond highway to an
early completion.
DIR. c. Hart Merriam, chairman of the
fund committee, expressed himself as
firmly convinced that every Washing
tonian who operates a motor car would
gladly contribute So toward the cre-
alton of new touring ground for his
pleasure II he were met face to face
and the subject broached.
Surveyors Complete Work.
Touring Director Ferguson of the
American Automobile Association is
making frequent trips to the breaks in
the highway to watch the progress of
the construction work now under way
He says:
The surveyors have completed their
work in the swamp land section of the
road. and that rapid progress is being
! made with the work now in effect be-
! tween Pohick Church and the Lorton
railway station. Completion of this
latter stretch is not more than ten
days away, Mr.. Ferguson states. The
| repair of this break opens to Washing
tonians sixty-mile trip heretofore
impossible without the maximum of
discomfort"
Commenting on the task which his
organization has undertaken to per-
form, Judge Martin A. Knapp, presi-
dent of the District club, said:
II sincerely trust that all Washing
i, tonians interested in seeing the COM
pletion Of a fine motor highway be-
tween Washington and Richmond-and
there are few who are not either di-
rectly or indirectly interested-will
| realize the Importance of the clubs
propaganda and rally to it's support
without delay, so that the entire high
way can be thrown open not later
than August 20.
"If the opening of the road can be ac-
complished at this date, 1t will be sui
lciently early to advertise the fact to
northern motorists and thus bring
through Washington the heavy motor
travel that goes south each fall via
the Shenandoah valley pike. Too,
favor for the day of opening the road
celebration of the occasion by the
merchants and motorists of Washing
ton, Richmond, Fredericksburg and AL
exandria. 1 hope this can be brought
about"
Contributions for the Week.
Last weeks contributors were: Isaac
T. Mann, F. William Loetsch, Mrs. w
A. Slater, H. NJ. Packard, John s. Lar
combe, DR.. w. K. Butler, Trueman R.
Daw. George Otis Smith. DR.. John W.
Mitchell, Charles H. Korts, Eugene F..