Evening star., 1921-10-06
WILL START DRIVE
IN CONGRESS TO AIl-
ANAcosrIA FATS
CONTINUED from First pake.)

ming bridge. Much of the ground in
Volved in the Improvement was do
mated. while the balance was acquired
through purchase or condemnation.
While more than ten years has been
consumed in bringing the work to
within short distance of the Ben
ming bridge. 1t is believed that the
execution Of the project as contem-
plated beyond the bridge would not
consume more tfan five or six years
The character of the ground to be re-
claimed, coupled with the fact that a
been built up, would make rapid
progress possible. it is stated.
In only one year has Congress ap-
propriated as much as 100000 for
prosecuting the program. The next
highest amount provided in q single
year was 100000. Generally the ap-
preparations have ranged around
100000.
Has Special Advantages.
Aside from the general benefits to
be derived from the carrying through
Of the reclamation scheme for the full
distance proposed. another argument
being advanced in favor of Congress
authorizing continuation of the work
concerns the proposal for the loca.
ton of the National Botanic Gardens
and Arboretum at Mount Hamilton.
which borders the flats north OF
Benning bridge. The Mount Hamilton
plan is now before Congress-. having
the Endorsement of the National Com
mission of Fine Arts and government
officials generally.
Engineers have stated that II this
plan Is adopted the fats scheme could
be amended SO that a portion of the
swampy land would be available to the
Botanic Gardens for experimental pur-
poses. This would eliminate a consid-
cradle expense for dredging and wall
construction. The money thus saved.
it is said, would be sufficient to cover
the cost of the purchase Of the Mount
Hamilton tract.
Government officials are hopeful.
therefore, that Congress not only will
remove the restriction relating to work
south Of Benning bridge, but will an,
purpose of botanic garden, so that
plans may be made Immediately for the
establishment Of the garden in con.
junction with the prosecution Of the
reclamation work north of Benning
bridge along lines securing the greatest
economy to the government
New Bathing Beach Planned.
An announcement made today by
the officer in charge Of public build
ings and grounds which will interest
Washingtonians generally relates to
OaSnlNR
beach in the lake that is being form.
ed west of the AnaSostia channel and
south of Benning bridge. This lake
will be several miles in length, and
will be equipped, at it's lower end.
with lock which will keep the water
at definite level. Two islands will
be constructed in the center of the
lake and other steps taken for making
it one Of the beauty spots Of the
capitals park system. Facilities viii
be provided for boating, and, ulti-
mately. it is proposed to establish a
bathing beach, which probably will
be considerably larger than the one
now operated in the tidal basin.
In connection with the plans for de-
veloping the reclaimed section be.
tween the Anacostia and Pennsylya-
mia Avenue bridges. engineer officials
today called attention to the north
bank of the channel between these
bridges as offering, in their opinion.
an ideal site for wharves and a gen
eral industrial development. This sec
ton is between the gas plant. and
the channel. and WILL, in time, gov
ernment engineers believe. become one
of the busy spots of Washington's q
water front.