The Washington times., 1923-06-26
BELL APPROVES
WATERFRONT
PLANS
Commissioner Oysters Pet
Improvement Wins Ally in
New D. c. Chief.

INOW Os @s StHVba
Cherished plans Of Commissioner
Oyster to secure waterfront inn
provemepts. 1t is said, have re-
ceived the endorsement Of Major
Franklin Bell, newly appointed En-
gineer Commissioner Of the District
OF Columbia. The plans favored by
Commissioner Oyster hold the prom
Use Of converting the shipping sec
ton of river front into one Of the
most beautiful water stretches in
America.
Improvement Plans.
Included in the section considered
for Improvement is the stretch be-
tween the Navy Yard and the
wharves lining the river at the
foot Of Seventh street. At present,
it is declared, they suggest nothing
quite so much as an extended sal
vaging plant rich with accumulated
wreckage of all descriptions. While
few of the wharves are of a semi
substantial character none of them
are considered of such value that
thew cannot be wrecked and re-
placed in furthering the beautifying
the city's river front.
Various estimates placed on the
value Of the miscellaneous coIlec.
ton OF piers and wharves HninR
the shipping section Of the river
front indicate that. collectively.
they are worth less than half a
million dollars. Most Of tho con-
struction work 10 Of q TEMPORARY
character. such as exists at scores
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Bay landings.
In connection with the proposed
Improvement It has been suggested
that this stretch OF the river be
treated as a whole. This will make
possible the adoption of 4 plan
having central units OF major
utility. it is argued, such as a
municipal wharf. small boat land
ing. battery promenade, slips for
river steamers and in time basin
terminal providing dockage for sea.
going freiRhters.
In the appointment of Major Bell
as District Engineer Commissioners
those interested in river front i'm
provements declare they have Sc
cured an ally who comprehends the
many advantages improved water
fronts afford city. He has already
made 1t known, 1T is said, that he
favors such projects and proposes
to take an active interest in de-
veloping the city's river front.
Plans are Prepared.
A set Of plans have been prepared
for the proposed improvements.
This was done at the instigation
of Commissioner Oyster who since
entering office has been a keen and
consistent advocate of such develop
ments. Recently. he voiced the opin-
ion that he feared he would not live
to see his plans carried out.
Our river front is one of our
most valuable assets" declared the
Commissioner. "It has been ne
elected much Of the time but the
lapses in that direction can be cor.
rected yet. Money invested in
such work is well spent by the
Government. It is an investment
that has to be made but once.
Cities as fortunate in their river
seized upon the advantages offered
by them, and Washington in time
will be forced to do likewise. The
river front of the National Capital
can be made the most impressive
of any water stretch in the world
and it certainly should be made
such. 1t is not only due the city
but the nation"
Major Bell has stated that 1t
will be a little while before he
will be In position to work out the
details of the river front improve
ments. but that the situation will
receive his attention and the public
will be informed Of the plans. River
shipping interests, 1t is said, stand
ready to mack the Engineer Com
missioner in any plans for improve.
ment proposed by him.