The Washington times., 1923-05-08
INVOL YES
HEAV
COST
Worth 1t, Say Advocates Who
Plan to Make Potomac
Rival Mediterranean.
BY GEORGE FRANKLIN.

Etched out in marble, quayed,
and COPIED in design rivaling the
Mediterranean famous water
fronts, Washington's greeting to
Potomac river travellers may be
made one of the most pic
turesque, impressive, and inspir-
ing Impressions created by the
Capital City.
It's realization involves the ex-
penditure of thousands of dol
lars, but, as was said by the late
Grover Cleveland, whats a mil
lion compared with what it can
accomplish"
Opportunity Neglected.
In this instance advocates OF
river front improvements along
classic lines insist it is "a essential
to a proper setting-oIf of the city
as the architectural standardizing
of public and semi-public buildings
planned for erection III the District.
No city in the world claiming the
distinction of being the capital of
powerful nation has neglected so
consistently a pressing opportunity
to develop beautiful possibilities, it
Is declared, as has Washington IN
it's regard of the river front.
Where forests Of unsigntly pilings
now fringe it's dockage areas a mar
BILE or granite battery with spacious
promenades should long ago have
been constructed, and, according to
those who are interesting them
selves in such proposed improve
nents, when Congress assemblies in
December one of the first appropri-
alton bills to b e introduced Will
have this for its object.
Surveys Are Ready.
Surveys of the river front made
recently by men interested in its
development indicate that condi-
tons are unusually we'll adapted for
carrying out artistic plans of the
Snost elaborate character. 1t is
shown among other things that, due
20 the nature of river traffic and
che tyre OF craft engaged in it. a
Complete elimination of long pro-
tecting piers is possible, dock spaces
being confined to flat areas paral.
lelfng the river front. These docks,
" is said, should be District prop.
erty, their use by steamboat compa-
mics being on a term rental basis
so adjusted that all costs of upkeep
will be met by the operating com
panies.
The area TO be improved first.
they say, embraces the river front
between the Navy Yard and the
Tidal Basin which. it is declared.
should be treated as a commerce
section. the reach between the Tidal
Basin and Key Bridge being i'm
proved along parking lines.
At present dredges are freeing
and deepening the channel opposite
the Tidal Basin. An appropriation
for the work was made by the last
Congress. The appropriation car
T1es no provision, however, for
river bank improvements.
Improvement of the channel to
Georgetown is declared essential to
increased river traffic. With the
development of the latter which in
time, il is anticipated. will result
in Washington being listed as one
OF the countrys chief inland ports,
greater shipping terminals will be
needed, and the present is the time
TO take the initial steps in seeing
that future river front developments
are-along proper lines.
Unwillingness on the part of
Congress in the past to recognize
the importance of river front inn
provement. It is believed, will be
overcome when the next Congress
meets, and an appropriation suffi.
Gent TO defray the costs of the
Initial work will be provided.
Those who have studied river
front conditions say coming i'm
provements should be started in
the section adjacent to the navy
yard to include what is now known
as the wharf section. AT present
this reach of the river is little less
than miscellaneous aggrega ton
Of nondescript shipyards, salvage
dumping grounds, and makeshift
slips. Approach to the river m
barred for blocks by high board
fences. This section should be ere.
claimed" it is declared, and. as
first step toward river front i'm.