Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-06

gain can be made toward the retiring
of the deficiency now existing.
This can and should he accomplish
ed without an appreciate increase in
the total appropriation proposed for
1929. Some three years ago Congress
put into effect a flve-year program
calling for approximately $500. zoe per
year expenditure for resurfacing and
repaving old streets whose surfaces or
foundations had outlived their Use
fulness. This program will be largely
completed in the fiscal year 1929, so
that the appropriation for this pur-
pose may be reduced TO approximately
$s50.000 annually to care for any
streets of the original program and
those reaching yearly a replacement
condition. thereby releasing from this
item approximately S350.0o0 for new
work without increasing the total
appropriation.
Program Is Needed.
This amount, plus an increase in
the total of 500. 900, would, if applied
10 new work, allow a definite and
much needed program consistent with
the growth of the city 10 be under
taken. which in period of FIVE or
six years would wipe out any de-
ficiency in highway improvements, SO
that each year thereafter only the
normal growth would have TO be met
THE policy of retaining macadam
roadways so as TO place them upon
q more def mite basis, as we'll as the
adoption Of the above described i'm
proverent program, should result in
q considerable decrease in maintenance
cost at the end OF such period"
The joining of improved highways
within the District of Columbia 10
modern motor road systems in Mary
land and Virginia has had marked
effect in increasing retail business in
Washington, and those who have been
watching the development of this
situation predict that il will have a
greater effect az time goes on. A
comparatively few years ago the
people OF southern Maryland and of
the section of that State lying To the
north and northwest of Washington
found tx difficult to reach this city
Many Of them either made their pur.
chases through rural merchants or
sent away 30 mail order houses.
The thous8 nds Of people living close
10 the Potomac River in both Mary
land and Virginia found IL more con.
ysn1srt 10 deal with Baltimore
merchants by way Of the s,ea snboats
running out of that city than with
Washington rnefcnan fs btaile they
lived closer. in many instances. 10
Washington and mad regular Ktea m.
boat connections with the Capital
Ctty. IL was Just as easy nd quick 10
get deliveries from Baltimore AZ from
Washington. and he MARYLAND people
naturally turned 10 the city in their
osxn Efsie
Bun since the roads have been I'm.
proved and automobiles have almost
completely replacec horse drawn con.
SsYances. the people Of this vast
region contiguous 10 Washington find
that they can come here much more
g1grEsE than thsY can go t0 Baltimore.
Buying by mai has largely given
Jyiaes 20 buying personally on shop,
ping trips. II In onis tao or three
hours by automobile from any point
81 Prince Georges. Calvert and Charles
Counties. Md and from any point in
the Virginia counties bordering on the
lower Potomac River. TIE same IL
true ~ Mons gonnery County, Md, and
Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. Va.
The area of ~ square miles In
Prince Georges County adjoining
Washington which II liz proposed to
erect into Maryland Clty, is already a
part ot ttse As'ipnai Capital from a
business point II s!"B. The same ~
true II Arlington f0unty and a large
part ~ Fairfax county, IN Virginia,
where another mex ei'y IN being pro
posed,
This suburban area surrounding the
Capital ls already II l,8ft - the me, 70
toilfsn GiFt1irt - 81 ashjngt9H ~ the
greater clfs 3kicH seems 6esflned 10
spread on al SIDES Indefinitely.