Evening star., 1916-10-05
Arranging FERRY
TOPOTOMACPA
Army Engineers Seek to Make
New Recreation Ground
More Accessible.
BOAT TO RUN ACROSS
WASHINGTON CHANNEL

With a view to making the pub
lie recreation ground being de-
Neloped in that section of Poto-
mac Park east of the Penn
sylvania railway embankment
more accessible to those residents
of the District not provided with
automobiles or carriages, Gen.
William M. Black, chief of engi-
neers of the army, has arranged
with the Commissioners of the
District for the establishment of
a suitable ferry across the Wash
ington channel as soon as the
necessary preliminaries can be
effected.
If satisfactory arrangements can be
made the proposed ferry will be in
stalled and managed by private capital,
under government regulation. but If that
is found to be inexpedient. the ferry
will be established and operated by the
government. For the execution of the
ure of the other. estimates have been
prepared for submission to Congress
Of having the ferry ready for operation
in the early. spring.
City Terminal at Seventh Street.
Approved plans provide for a ferry
from the wharf of the old Alexandria
ferry at the foot of 7th street at its
junction with L street. to a point on
Potomac Park directly opposite. near
which are to be located the field or
shelter house, and many of the major
recreation features Of the proposed
courts and nine-hofe golf course The
river channel is about 1000 feet wide at
that point, and can be reached easily in
about five minutes. A merely nominal
rare OF few cents for each passenger
would be charged to help defray the
expenses of maintenance and operation.
With a view to economy only the
cheapest mode of locomotion is contem.
plated at this time the main idea being
to ahord ample and safe accommodation
to the largest number of people II is
belteved that an ordinary ferry steamer
would suffice for all purposes until the
elaborate recreation features of the en-
tire park are fully developed in course
OF 1ime 1t has been suggested that
less expensive boat, capable of carry.
Ing from so to 100 persons, and oper-
ated by means Of a gasoline engine
pulling on wire cable, might meet the
Ia n NJ
ries are in general use throughout the
country and have the advantage of Civ
Ing good service at small expense Al.
though II is settled that the ferry shall
oe es.aonsned at the points indicated,
PROVIDED congressional sanction is
given, the details of methods of opera
tion are subject to further considera-
ton.
!. Is pointed out that ferry at th.
foot of 7th street would provide Quick and
easy means Of reaching the heart Of the
recreation park from all parts Of the
district. through direct connection with
sne IN. street cars operating on AZ street,
.th street and 11th street. each Of which
lines passes the old Alexandra ferry
wharf. AeiS
Plan Is 1ndorsed Strongly.
Gen. Black. Col Harts, Col. Kutz NJ
the Engineer Corps and many civilians
are strong advocates Of the proposea
ferry as means Of opening East Potomac
Park to the public, as otherwise its
facilities for pleasure and recreation will
oe limited mainly to the people who
can drive there. or who are willing +o
take the long walk from the nearest
available car line
Tne park already is a great resort
ior automobilists, many of whom dur
ing the summer make a practice Of
leaving their cars and walking or
lounging in the cool places along the
/, river. AT times there were as many
ears parked and empty as there were
cars in motion in and out of the nary
As explained by Col. Harts, the small
fsrry is designed mainly as a tempo
yary expedient until better facilities
! ere provided for reaching the park and
/ availins of its myriad opportunities for
play and recreation Eventually it is
FULLY expected that ample railroad IA
cflities will be provided for reaching
F: both East and West Potomac Parks.
| In case the ferry service is Installed
! by next spring. Col. Harts said. he
/ would have ready then for visitors at
| least one wing of the big field house.
i six tennis courts and a nine-hoIe goIf