Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-24
Abattoir Site Opposed.
Location Along Entrance to
Capital Declared Objectionable.

To the Editor OF The Star:
In relation to the location OF an
abattoir near the Highway Bridge, anu
the claim that it will not be the source
or offensive odors, the experience de-
scribed below may be Of some interest:
The undersigned, when recently on
duty at headquarters of the LIST corps
Area, served as member OF a poard
appointed to select the site for a pro-
jected Corps Area hospital. Among
other sites investigated was one in
the vicinity of the WATERFOWL Arsenal.
which is located about half mile
from a slaughterhouse. In answer to
the query whether odors from that
plant could be detected at the arsenal,
Its commanding officer stated that
sometimes when the wind was right
they were almost insupportable. and
that on occasions they could be de-
tected a distance of at least miles.
This last observation agrees with
my own experience, for on numerous
. occasions the odors from this plant
had been very offensive in my quar-
| tiers, which were some 3 miles distant.
Though the site in the vicinity of the
| arsenal could be purchased at a much
lower figure than any OF those located
elsewhere. needless to say the board
did not recommend It,
Not only would the odors prove
offensive at Fort Myer. but when the
wind is right they will cross the river
| and be distinguishable as far as the
capitol. They would prove even more
annoying in Potomac Park, the NUM-
tons Building. the White House. the
business section and the buildings
which are to be erected in the triangle
south of Pennsylvania avenue. They
would be very offensive to persons
| using the Mount Vernon Boulevard
whether that road followed the ridge
or the river route, and the stencil
from such a plant would detract very
seriously from the pleasure of tourists
| using the highway.
Not only will the establishment of
this plant lower property values in
Its vicinity. but it will cause a CORE
spending increase of taxes in other
sections of Arlington County to COM
pensate for this loss. 1t will be u
death blow to the movement of desir-
able population into the county. In
stead of being residential community
US chief interests will be industrial
Ihere will be established in it the
manufacturing plants which other
suburbs do not want. Why should
the interests of those residing in a
suburb of the National Capital-and
OF part of the Capital itself--be sub
ordinated?
Since the introduction Of the auto
there Is no excuse whatever for the
establishment of offensive trades in
the vicinity Of large cities. Particularly
is this the case with Washington. for
Americans look to this city for leader
ship in urban beauty, civic govern
ment. etc. This leadership can seri.
ously be impaired by the establish
ment of this proposed abattoir At the
very time that the Federal Govern
| ment is undertaking to spend millions
OF dollars for buildings in the City of
Washington and for parks and bOule-
wards In its vicinity the Board of
Supervisors Of Arlington County sees
mt to grant a permit for the establish.
ment of slaughterhouse near one of
the bridges by which the county has
access to the Capital. This proxim-
ity to Washington is the chief asset
of Arlington County. The permit
granted should be revoked.
JOSEPH H. FORD,
Colonel, Medical Corps, u. S, A.