Evening star., 1922-11-12

electric current for illuminations
along the monumental memorial
boulevard. ~
To Preserve Natural Beauty.
To make 1T impossible for all time
to place anything In front Of the Ma
tional Capital which would dishgure
the landscape or outlook is the para
mount reason why the drive on Con-
gress is t6 be made at this time. Mot
one centsof tribute-not one human
being or corporation to profit through
the federal and state governments CO.
operating in this patriotic scheme
fittingly to honor the father Of his
country" and other heroes-is the
principle on which those who are or
ganizing the drive are working.
The main features of this compre-
hensive development have been in
dorsed by every President during the
last thirty-five years, by the Secre-
taries Of War. by hundreds Of msm-
bers Of Congress and by most Of the
great national organizations. The CO.
operation OF President Harding Is to
be sought by a delegation which will
wait upon him in a few days. This
delegation will include civic and busi-
ness leaders Of the National Capital
and the state Of Virginia, members Of
Congress and prominent men from q
number Of states.
Leaders OF public thought and en-
terprise in every state in the Union
are supporting this comprehensive
scheme for preserving the natural
beauty and historic landmarks Of
Washington's vicinage and utilizing
them In the building Of a magnificent
approach to the National Capital, to-
gether with the conservative develop
ment Of unusual natural resources
and location into a much-needed in
dustrial sone. hardly the capital. and
supplying the vast hinterland to the
south.
idea Conceived Lang Ago.
M. B. Harlow. a prominent business
man and banker Of Washington and
Alexandra. away backsin 1885 con-
ceived the idea. while he was treas
urer Of Alexandria, that the people
of Virginia and the United States
should unite in erecting a, tribute to
the founder Of this nation. and that
the most ussfal. lasting and benef-
cial memorial that could be built to
the memory Of Washington as Presi-
dent. soldier and statesman would be
this Mount Vernon boulevard The
general assembly Of Virginia on Feb
ruary 1s. 1890. granted a charter to
the Mount Vernon Avenue Associa-
tion. which included many Of Wash
ington's most public spirited citizens.
such As John Joy Edison. Stiison
Hutchins. Thomas Nelson. ;. Page,
Crosby 8. Noyes, Joseph e. Wiilatd.
r. Walton Moore. Charles c. Garth,
]. b. Henderson, Matthew .Trimble,
J. Taber Johnson. William B. smoot,;
Frank Hum& Beriah wilkins. Glenn
Brown, John R. Mclean, Col. Robert
E. Lee. Gen. Peter c. Hams, sur
veyor for the highway. and many
others. ::
In a very elaborate and exhaustive
report made by Col. Hams in 1890 to
Secretary of War Proctor he strongly
advocated this enterprise. The vir-
ginia legislature on March Is. 1888;
transferred to the Mount Vernon AS
sociation tho claim Of the state of
Virginia for q loan made in 17s0 to
the federal government, which was
used in tho construction Of tho first
public buildings erected in the city
of Washington. amounting to $4,000.
This was to be used by the associa-
ton to assist in building the pro-
posed boulevard from Washington
city to washington's tomb. Tho leg
islature Of Virginia not only turned
over this claim. which with interest
would run into. many
millions, but has also given the asso-
citation power to police and control
this boulevard, and with power to
turn over to the federal government
all of these .zpFivileges. This means
that without further legislation the
federal government would have juris-
diction over. the, memorial boulevard.
Project Widely Approved.
Mr.. Harlow is secretary-treasurer
OF the association and Is active in the
of the drive upon Con-
gress when it reconvenes. He says.
that in the last thirty-five years he
has appeared before committees Of
Congress and has personally inter-
viewed thousands of members Of Con-
gress and prominent men from all
parts of the country, and has yet to
find one who 10 not heartily in favor
of this project. Mr.. Harlow appeared
last week before the board Of direc-
Trade and Chamber of Commerc4 in
regard to the proposed industrial
zone and they have pledged organized
support. Many other large business,
civic and patriotic organizations all
over the country have by formal ac-
tion indorsed the proposed develop
ment and promised their heartiest
cooperation.
The historic and sentimental rea-
sons for memorializing this region
are not always remembered: Virginia
and Maryland gratuitously donated
the original territory for the District
Of Columbia--ten miles square-and
for hfty-six years. from 1880 to 1S4e.
city and county was the
part Of the territory consti-
tuting the National Capital. Then
Congress by a simple resolution re-
ferred the question Of whether Alex
andria city and county should remain
4 part Of the capltal or be cedAd back
to the state. The decision was left
to the voters and, naturally. politi-
cians. ayerse to remaining in q vote.