Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-27
Improvement of North Side
of Washington Channel
FavorabIy Acted On.
COST WOULD BE SHARED
BY U. S. AND DISTRICT
Mai. Somervelrs Recommendations
Already Received by Commission
ers-0ld Structures Mentioned.

Plans for the general identification
Of the entire waterfront Of the Wash
ington channel of the Potomac River.
involving the removal of existing un-
slightly structures and providing for
adequate traffic facilities for present and
possible future needs, have been ap-
proved by Maj. Gen. Lytle Brown, chief
of Engineers, and the War Department
and submitted to Congress for early
consideration.
These plans were made by Mai.
Brehon B. Somervell, in charge of this
engineer district, who estimates the cost
of the entire project at SO, ,691 800, to be
divided between the Federal Govern
ment and the District Of Columbia, the
former paying $2,392, $50 and the latter
81 ,2oe, $50.
Under authority Of provisions Of an
act of Congress approved March 3, 1925,
Mai. Somervell made preliminary ex-
aminations and surveys for the i'm
provement of the Washington water
front, including facilities for water
transportation and the provision for
adequate terminals and traf1c facilities.
Recommendation Made.
His conclusions and recommends
tions on the general subject are sum-
married as follows:
Cd That the waterfront on the north
side of Washington Channel be i'm
proved on the pier and slip system,
without direct railway interchange ia
cilitieS.
t2) That Identification be secured
through development Of a boulevard
al Wyoka cfr
harmonious treatment of pier and other
structures, with q small amount OF park
ing or landscaping.
(3) That the cost of the entire prof.
ect, estimated at 50, ,691 900, be divided
between the Federal Government and
the District of Columbia, 81, ,392, ,2S0 Tor
the former and 81 ,299 $40 for the latter.
"a That rentals from waterfront
property be paid into special fund
to provide for its maintenance, the sur
plus being covered into the Treausry
and used to reimburse cost Of construc-
tion.
go That rentals be fixed by the Sec
retary of War.
(6) That the various holdings OF the
Treasury Department, District of Co
lumbia, and the chief Of engineers
along the Channel be consolidated
under the Secretary of War and the
improvement be entrusted to him. so
that the plan can be carried through
out the waterfront without break and
in orderly economical sequence, pro-
vided, however, that the improvement
of Water street itself be under the
Jurisdiction Of the Commissioners of
the District of Columbia.
Mobilization Of Lines.
Cd That the Secretary of War mod
ify the harbor lines in the Washington
Channel to conform to this plan.
90 That in view Of recent wharf
failures an initial appropriation of
$3.50 800 be made, to become available
July /, 1927 fiscal year 1929, subse-
quent appropriations being made in
four inStallmentS in order to complete
the development in fiye years.
Maj. SomervelrS plans and recon-
mendationS have since received the ap-
proval of the Commissioners of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, the director of pub
lie buildings and public parks Of the
National Capital and the division en-
gineer. The reports have been referred
to the Board of Engineers for Rivers
and Harbors. This board concurs in
general with the district and division
engineers in the opinion that the gen.
eral plan for development proposed Is
well designed to provide adequate facili-
ties for the commerce using Washington
Channel.
Gen. Brown, chief of Engineers, con-
CURED in the views of the Board of En-
gineers for Rivers and Harbors. "A
water front used for navigation and
general utility purposes" said Gen.
Brown, "iS generally found to be un-
slightly.
Such a condition exists in an Ag-
gravated form along Washington Chan
mel. The plans proposed by the Dis
trict Engineer, while providing for the
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