Evening star., 1927-05-11
Plans for Greater Washington.

interest Oh tlIe pdIl u the <AIlieLl-
can people in the development of
the Federal Capital City, was man.
ifested last evening at a session
of the National Conference on City
Planning, devoted to consideration of
plans for the Improvement of Wash
ington. AS the projects now in con-
temptation were set forth, enthusiasm
was shown by the delegates from
other cities, evincing a pride in the
approach to attainment of the ideal
OF a Federal city.
This session comedies with an i'm
portant stage OF the work Of evolving
a model community. For many years
plans have been talked about, and in
the absence of a definite scheme of
improvements Washington has grown
with inadequat te care for the preser-
vation Of the character originally
conceived for the seat of government.
Very recently, however, the obstruc-
tions to systematic development have
been removed and now the program
is progressing to the end of an early
fruition of plans for the Greater
Washington.
It is perhaps as we'll that there has
been delay. For now it is realized in
Congress, which makes the appropri-
ations, that the proper evolution of
the Capital demands the expenditure
harmonious scheme Of building de-
sign and emplacement and of munich
pal improvements for the recreation,
the security and the comfort of the
Inhabitants. The Public Buildings
Commission is cooperating with the
Park and Planning Commission and
with the Commission Of Fine Arts.
These three bodies are united to the
end of evolving a model city, with a
view to the proper transaction of the
public business and the establishment
Of ideal conditions for urban living.
In the talks of those who addressed
the session of the city planners last
night explanations were advanced of
the projects in contemplation, mainly
of a municipal character. Some of
these proposals are novel. For ex-
ample, there is the plan for the loca-
tion of State buildings along East
Capitol street from a point near the
Capitol to the Anacostia River. Pre-
vious suggestions for the adequate
representation of the forty-eight
States have contemplated their loca-
ton elsewhere. Likewise the pro-
sposal to locate the national stadium
: in Anacostia Park at the end of East
Capitol street differs from the earlier
plan, which placed the stadium in
Potomac Park.
Little doubt can be felt, in view of
the applause which greeted the ex-
plantations given Of the plans proposed,
that the delegates to this conference,
representing the best thought Of
America on the subject of city plan
ming, are in hearty sympathy with
the practical ideals Of those who are
now studying Washington's needs
with a view to their early meeting.
They are experts in this field. They
recognize the value to the country at
large Of the accomplishment of urban
ideals in Washington as an example
TO be followed by other communities.
Fortunately it is no longer necessary
to appeal to the country to hasten
the development OF Washington as a
model city, for. as the chairman Of the
Public Buildings Commission recent
ly declared, the fight is won" in Con-
gress. All that is necessary now is
the development Of the best plan and
its execution will follow. 1t is, how
ever, gratifying to find SO keen an
appreciation on the part OF the city
! planners of the opportunity as well
as the needs of the Capital and so
ardent an approval Of the projects in
contemplation.