Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-18
Western Route Favored.
Best Course for National Memo
rial Boulevard TO Mount Vernon.

TO the Editor OF TIE star:
The memorial boulevard from
Washington to Mount Vernon is ex-
pected to be completed in 1882 as the
principal memorial feature In cele-
bration Of WashinRton's birth.
This project contemplated for the
past 40 years. In about to become
reality. Two routes are being dis
cuSsed. the eastern. or river. route
and the western. or upper. route.
On the river route all the estuaries
of the Potomac would have tn be
bridged. A considerable portion OF
the route would require heavy fills
over soft, marshy. sea level land.
These fills would require years TO set
tie before a pavement could he laid
upon them. A boulevard made upon
soft marshy filled sea level land
would require constant repairs.
Warns Of Railroads.
The Potomac Railroad yard is the
gateway to the South. The following
railroads have connection with this
terminal: The Pennsylvania. Baltl-
more and Ohio. Southern: Richmond.
Fredericksburg and Potomac Chesa-
peake and Ohio. Atlantic Coast Line
and SeabOard Air Line. This terminal
is between Warrington and Alex
andria and the motorist on the river
boulevard would get all the smoke.
cinders, dust and dirt connected with
railroad terminal The combination
of fog and smoke, at times. makes 1t
impossible for motOrist to see his
way over the lower road.
Any one who has the Identification
OF the National Capital at hear
would not want to see it marred by
factories or other unattractive com.
mercial plants.
The water front should be made
and kept beautiful.
Place for Commerce.
Commerce liz a vital part OF the Ma
ton and some location has to be pro
vided for it's needs. The National
Capital now has a popula ton of more
than 800. 600 and In rapidly growing
Alexa ndria Va. Ia the logical location
for commercial development. This
territory was part of the original
District Of Columbia, but 1t was UNI
fortunately given hack to Virginia in
1S46. Alexa ndria IL a port and has a
large railroad terminal in its vicinity.
1t has magnificent water frontage.
The river here In q mile wide.
The topography Of the upper, or
Western. route 10 undulsting and va
ried. One gets glimpses of the river.
the settlements between the boulevard
and the river and the hills Of Mary
land on the other side. The ground
is solid and has high elevation. The
atmosphere is clear. Queen Marie on
her visit to Mount Vernon last
Fall commented on the beauty of the
Autumn foliage.
Washington Favored Route.
On one of the hills ia stately
colonial mansion now the home of
Mr.. Richard Washington. a great
eat.era ndnephew of Washington.
Gen. Washingtons favorite route to
the Nations Capital was this west
erly route.
During the Civil War Federal
campaign was located on a comman nd
ine site. A tree lover protested to
Lincoln about the destruction Of tim.
her. Some OF the magnificent oaks
in this vicinity were saved at the
written request OF President Lincoln.
Upon the summit of Arlington ridge.
overlooking the Potomac, is the white
marble Masonic Memorial 10 Wash
ington.
The route selected as a national
memorial boulevard to Mount Vernon
should be the finest that can be Sc
cured. BLANCHE c. HOWLETT.