Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-09
BELL SEESGREAT
EXPANSION HERE
Says Business and Industry
Will Be More important
in rs Years.

A vtsUa liza ton IF Washington 90
Years hence. with business and in
dustry playing a more important part
in it's affairs and the population
spread thckly into contiguous Mary
land and Virginia territories, was
given by Engineer Commissioner J.
Franklin Bell at Il dinner Of the bust
ness and professional section of the
Women's City Club last night at the
clubhouse.
Washington is not an industrial
city and has little wholesale bust
ness" said Commissioner Bell. Most
Of us want Washington to remain
primarily a residential city, but
whether we want it or not, there will
he some growth of industry and bust.
ness here. and we ought to try to
promote the growth Of the right kind
in the right place rather than adopt
do-nothing obstructive attitude. The
growth in use of electricity in the
past 25 years indicates that an in
dustrial plant in the future may be
operated without the dirt smoke and
noise now associated with Industrial
pla nts
I'VE like to live in a residential
city. but there is something to be
So id in favor of having opportunities
for our young people in industry and
business near home. Paris has in
dusiry which seems TO detract not at
ali from the charm Of the city"
Past and Future Program.
The Commissioners speech was a.
review Of what had been accomplished
IN the development of the Capital,
and what was hoped for in the future,
and he also took oCca sion to call to
attention the interest that had been
aroused by the better home demon
strat,on of The Evening Star. He
also declared there was need for ad-
ditional funds for parks and play
grounds.
Recalling Washington's growth
since he war. Commissioner Bell de-
clared that the population will con-
tinue to increase Being what it is
to the Nation and the world at pres
cnt." he said, lit could not be other
wise. With more than $4,000, 900 OF
private construction within the
boundaries Of the District during the
past fiscal year. without counting
public buildings on private construc.
tion in the suburbs in Maryland ana
Virginia. Washington stands hlsh
among American cities-considerably
above her ranking in present popula'
ton.
"Reinc a teacher of mathematics,
the most logical way for me to esti'
mate what Washington will be ike
% wears from now is TO take what ~
being done this year. multiply IL pH
%. and then use my imagination d
hit to apply to the tendencies or the
times 1t is apparent mat WASH
tnpton's suburbs will be occupying
territory in Maryland and Virginia
greater than the District or Columold'
and in the Nations interest and our
citN's interest this city must develop
as a unit so far as planning IS con-
cerned There is no need Tor any
change In political boundaries ou'
being parts of separate polltlcal Juil9
dictions will add to the dittlcultles Oh
the planning commission IN carrying
on it's work.
Commissioners Bell explained at inc
outset of his speech that Washington
now is passing through a period OF
reconstruction almost as trying IN
nuhlic wav as the reconstruction OF
nome. or Spring house cleaning III
It's domestic way. The inconvenience
incident to such improvements, ne
said. lis tolerated with patience II
one he convinced that the work Is ne
inc done in accordance with well con-
aidered plans"
Conditions Change Plans.
"It was fortunate.' he continued
"that ParisianS were giving much
thought to the replanning of their city
a the time our city was being laid
out so that a L'Enfant was avallable
to assist Washington and Jefferson In
planning a new home for the Govern
ment on the Potomac. Plans must
change somewhat as times and conol-
tions change, but the broad principles
on which city and regional planning
is based do not change. Facilities
must be provided now for different
type of existence from that simple
life of L'E,nfant time, but the OBJ
iectives are the same"
Then going into the developments
Of the modern Capital, the Commits
Sioner added
The Zonne Commissioner has Gre
ated residential areas with restrictions
as to height of buildings and occu-
rancy of space SO as to guarantee TO
the residents the LIGHT and air essen
tial 10 healthful home conditions. The
pepa Of Public Health gives
constant and efficient attention to