The Washington herald., 1921-06-10
Suggests Unique Garage.

To the Editor, The Warrington Herald:
The commissioners of the District
of Columbia have given much
thought to the regulation of auto
traffic with a view to minimizing
the dangers that confront pedes-
trians and motorists alike. That
problem having been tackled and
probably disposed of wisely, another
equally important feature in con-
nection with the traffic deserves Sc
rious consideration, and / venture
to offer a suggestion that. although
il may appear too elaborate an un-
dertaking. / firmly believe would
solve the problem.
l have in mind the parking of
autos that now congest the busi-
ness districts to such an extent that
travel, in certain localities, is
greatly Handicapped.
Often the suggestion has been
brought forward to have subways
for street cars to relieve the streets
of traffic, but such an undertaking g
could undoubtedly never 60 through
in our city. / believe. however, 1t
would be entirely feasible to have
in certain localities public garages
under the streets or parks that
would accommodate all the cars
that are now parked in the streets
For an illustration, will outline
one such public garage or convent
ence station for autos, and locate
IL under Vermont avenue northwest,
in the block bounded by H and
streets. Excavation under that
street alone could accommodate all
the cars now parked on Vermont
avenue; on Fifteenth between New
York avenue and X street; the cars
parked near the Army and Navy
clubs; near the Commercial club:
the cars in H street as far as Four
teenth; the cars parked on LaFay-
ette place opposite Belasco's the
ater. and extended on Pennsylvania
avenue to Fifteenth street opposite
Riggs bank.
With a public garage such as l
have in mind. the parking in those
sections could be absolutely prohio-
tied for any period over Is minutes
and the streets would be clear for
traffic.
There would be an entrance and
an exit at each end: one near the
intersection of i on Vermont The
space on Vermont avenue facing the
war risk bureau, now occupied by
double row of cars. would be re-
placed by ornamental gardens. with
ventilating shafts leading to the
garage below. A series of lights
and water sprinklers extended also
from the garage below would trans
form the ugly appearance into a
beauty spot. Heat could be fur
nished from any of the large build
ings nearby, during the winter: the
war risk bureau, for instance. Sub
terranean passages could be con-
structed with little difficulty, hav-
ing their entrance from the various
large buildings in the vicinity, such
as the clubs, theater, bank. etc.
Not only would this scheme solve
the problem of parking. but II
would pay for itself shortly. as a
small fee could be charged. All
auto owners who use their machines
for transportation to and from their
offices would be only too anxious to
avail themselves Of the opportunity
to have their cars in a safe place
and not exposed to the elements.
Men to operate the garage could
be had without salary. IL the privi-
lege were extended them of wash
ing cars, etc, for a nominal charge.
What a change 1t would be to
beautify our already beautiful city,
remove all the hivvers that stand
for 12 out Of the "a hours on exhi-
bition and substitute ornamental
gardens with sparkling fountains
and lights and that at no cost to
the city.
X. HOFFMAN