Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-03
BY WILLIAM j. WHEATLEY.

~ EMPLOYMENT of the Potomac
and Anacostia Rivers as a
great monumental entrance
- for the great and distinguished
people who come to the Ma
TONS Capital to be honored and feted
has been proposed and is being con
sidered by officials of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits.
sion as a result of the successful and
triumphal entry into>the city recently
by that means of Col. Charles A. Lind
bergh, transatlantic nonstop flyer
The great expanse of water between
Forts Washington and Hunt provided
viewpoints for thousands, on the
shores and in craft lining the chan
mel as the cruiser Memphis steamed
slowly up the historic river, many
times more space than could be pro
vided for those wishing to see dis
tinguished personages who come in by
train and then go for the short ride
up Pennsylvania avenue.
The provision of such triumphal
entrance, 1t was pointed out, would be
included In the project for extending
the already beautiful park system OF
the District of Columbia as far as the
Maryland and Virginia Army posts
from which point the honOred guest
would get his first long-distance view
of the National Capital. coming holder
into view as the transporting craft
turns the short bend in the river be-
tween Fort Foote and Jones Point
where the great dome of the Capitol
stands nobly against the sky line and
dead ahead.
Identification Is Planned.
Such an entrance as Is planned here
cannot be found anywhere else in the
country, and 1t is but fitting, it was
added, that those who are to receive
the honors of the Nation as Col. Lind
bergh did. when they come from for.
eign shores, or even from the Ameri
can Coast, should come first to the
Capital, and then they should come by
water.
The river from Fort Washington tc
the city is comparatively narrow, and
the channel for the most Of the way
follows the Maryland shore by a few
hundred yards. With the extension OF
the park system down to Fort Wash
ington, it was pointed out, the en-
trance could be oeautified in such a
way that 1t would provide a scene
that would be as pleasing as 1t would
be effective in greeting the Nations
heroes.
A few weeks before Col. Lindbergh
arrived, the members of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion, the governmental body charged
with the duty of providing parks and
Fairgrounds for the Federal city and
It's environs, and with planning to
make it the most beautiful city in the
world, spent whole day in boats run.
ming over this same course over
which the air hero came, having in
mind its improvement as a beautiful
entrance to the city.
Includes Army Post.
Already plans had been laid down
for extending the park system of the
city as far as Forts Washington and
Fort Hunt. These two Army posts
have been declared by the War De.
partment to be obsolete for military
purposes and they have been placed
on the list for sale, the funds to be
used for the provision of perma nent
structures at other Army posts for
the proper housing Of personnel. There
Is bill awaiting congressional action
to transfer these two historic posts
to the National Capital as a part OF
the park system, rather than to let
them fall into the hands Of private
realty holders. Fort Foote, farther
up the river and short distance from
| alexandria. Is also on the list for &C.
QUESTION as a part OF the park system.
With these three Army posts as a
basis, the work Of improvement. with
the idea Of providing a grand water
entrance to the Capital, something
distinctive for those who come to have
bestowed on them the plaudits of the
Nation for some work or task we'll
done which has brought honor on
themselves as well as their country
could be pushed forward.
Shore Line Advance.
Gradually the shore line on both
sides OF the Potomac will be extended
closer to the channel Of the historic
river as the great Army dredges
pump the silt from the river bed in
their channel-deepening operations to
the flats alongside, thus raising the
river bed above. the water level. II
Will provide parkway in the same
way that Anacostia Park is being pro.
We'd within the confines of the city.
AS these low fiat lands are provided
and improved, with attractive sea
walls. they would provide standing
and sitting space, as we'll as automo.
bile parking space, for tens of thou
sands of people who desired to line
the shores as the great come in. q
chance that might be denied them. on
account of lack of space, If the visit
ors came In by train or other means
of travel.
Before they set foot on the soil of
.ne District of Columbia they will
nave travelled a river as rich in his.