Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-21
Nrgetown Citizens Discuss
the Possibilities of Restor-
ing Maritime Activities.
COMM SSI0NER NEWMAN -
DELIVERS AN ADDRESS
Association Then Resolves Itself
Into Impromptu Community
Forum.

Georgetown. past. present and flu
.ture. Is it finished community: Can
its maritime interests ever be revived:
These were the questions debated in
the impromptu community forum-the
first expression of this new thought in
Georgetown-into which the >George-
town Citizens Association last night
resolved itself. following an exposition
of the community forum idea by COM
missioner Oliver p. Newman. with him
as the presiding officer. Closing an ad-
dress to the organization, Commission
err Newman expressed a willingness to
submit TO any queries that might be
considered proper and enlightening. In
stead of being questioned he was offer
ed considerable information and advice,
which finally developed into discus
sion between the members, with Com
missioner Newman standing by.
Two opinions were expressed regard
ing the present condition of George
towns commercial animation and the
possibilities of future greatness and
prosperity. These viewpoints clashed.
the debate became heated and in one
instance personalities crept into the
coiioquy.
Cause of Controversy.
The discussion arose over the sugges-
ton by Mr.. Leetch made to Commits
sioner Newman that, in argument for
the retention of the present site for
the proposed new bridge to replace
AQueduct bridge the Commissioner
should object to any further curtail-
ine.I, by government encroachment on
the water front of Georgetown. MIR.
l.eetch empha sized the fact that WASH
iugton's harbor facilities for trade and
private enterprise are fast disappear
rug before the governments extension
OF the parking system. He told OF hay-
ing seen, not more, than twenty-five
years ago. Georgetown's harbor full OF
shipping from all over the world: and
he declared his belief that this condi-
tion would return.
DIR. Ames followed him. He edvised
Commissioner Newman that he con-
sidered negligible the matter of en-
croachment on Georgetown's water ia
cilities. as he could forsee no possible
resuscitation of maritime activity, ex-
cept such as might come to Chesapeake
hay or to points farther down the Po-
tonac river He cited in confirmation
of his opinion the ruins that mark the
water front as monuments to past ac-
tivities He furthered expressed the
view that the littorel zone of every city
Snoulu De owned OS inc SoNeihiheht.
Mr.. Paris Foresees Revival.
Mr. Paris defended the prospects
of the community. There still is hope,
he maintained, that it's commercial ac-
Invites will be restored. If there is a
fair chance for a return of shipping to
the harbor, he objected to the govern
ment taking the water front over en-
tirely.
Mr. Leetch, in closing remarks. ex-
pressed his opinion that the National
capital could not survive as splendid
community without commercial life;
that it's people could not all draw gov
erDment salaries. or live on army and
navy pay: that the rest of it's citizen
ship must md occupation which would
provide livelihood-and that meant
that they must have work in CONNER
cial life. No nation, he declared, can
exist on purely sentimental and esthet-
ic lines. but must have Industries to
provide the life blood.
Preceding this Community Forum
debate. Commissioner Newman told of
his hopes for Georgetown and vicinity.
Two great projects, he said, are close
TO his heart-one, the construction in
the near future Of new bridge over
the Potomac to replace the AQueduct
bridge: and, a dream for the future,
the taking over of both banks of the
Potomac river. from Chain bridge to
Great Falls. for great river park