Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-27
CRAMTON PREDICTS
PARKWAY PASSAGE
In CONGRESS SOON
Praises Legislation Providing
Memorial to George
Washington.
ONE OF. FIVE SPEAKERS
AT MELLON MEETING
Michigan Representative Takes
Hard Rap at State, War and
Navy Building.

Praising the many projects now under
way for identification of the Nations
Capital with the declaration that 1--WE
are on the threshold of glorious things, ;"
Representative Louis c. Cramton of
Michigan last night predicted con-
gressional approval soon for another
great development--the George Wash
ington Memorial Parkway, controlling
both banks of the Potomac River from
Mount Vernon to Great Falls.
THAT legislation" he told the audi
ence assembled at the Chamber of Com
merce of the United States, at invita-
ton of Secretary of the Treasury Mel
Ion, lis the next step needed in con-
gressional authorization and it is not
to be doubted it soon will follow"
Mr.. Cramton was one Of five speakers
at the second meeting arranged by Sec
rotary Mellon for discussion of the great
public improvement program for WASH
ington, particularly the public buildings
now being erected in the so-called Mall
triangle area. Mr.. Mellon again was
present last night, introducing the
chairman of the evening, Charles Moore,
chairman of the Fine Arts Commission.
Other speakers were Representative A.
j. Montague Of Virginia, who proposed
completion of the Capitol Building it
self; Edward H. Bennett of Chicago,
chairman of the Treasury Department
board of architectural consultants, who
discussed the architectural elements in
volved in the new plan of the triangle,
and Mai. L. E. Atkins. Assistant En-
gineer Commissioner of the District of
Columbia. who developed the relation
between the proposed municipal center
and the great Federal building program.
Pays Tribute to Mellon.
In his Introductory remarks Mr..
Moore referred to the host of the eve
ming as the powerful Secretary Mel
lon," and briefly referred to the i'm
portant developments of the previous
evening In the same hall. Recalling the
origin of the Mcmillan plan, Mr.. Moore
declared through the bewildering fogs
OF indifference, over the treacherous
shoals of Misunderstanding, amid the
reefs of opposition, the stanch plan
OF 1901 has been steered into its ap-
pointed harbor of realization, there to
discharge its cargo of benefits and
blessings"
Representative Cramton comprehen-
sively reviewed the whole general re-
construction and Identification pro-
gram for this city, predicting passage
OF the bill he Is sponsoring for parks
and Fairgrounds and the George Wash
ington Memorial Parkway, and con-
cluded with tribute to the sound ex-
ample set by the founders of the re-
public.
Mr.. Cramton took hard rap at the
State, War and Navy Building, which
President Hoover from the same plat
tah nal
as an architectural orgy" Declaring
that he thought 1t wonderful we are
proceeding now so rapidly and so wise
ly with out architectural development"
Mr.. Cramton said, Il like to cherish the
hope that even the highly individual
istic State, War and Navy Departments
Building may yet come out of its archi-
tectural cocoon and take on a beauty
OF exterior that, will harmonic with
the beauty of its neighbors.
Pointing out that two years ago the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission completed a plan of lands
in the District and its environs which
should be purchased for park, parkway
and playground purposes of the Ma
tional Capital, the speaker said it was
then estimated the program would
cost $l5,75o,0oo If promptly carried
out.
Not Unfair to District.
Under the act creating the commits
sion, the cost of such purchases, he
explained. is to be borne as other ex-
penses of the District. the Federal Gov
eminent contributing lump sum or a
percentage. as the case may be. Point
ing out further that as 100000 of the
amount named is for Fairgrounds and
11a fsfI nf. fPaf
or recreational use to the people of the
District. and as the Federal Government
has under way the expenditure of over
$265 900 900, the speaker declared that
in his opinion that act was not unfair
as to the lands in the District. But"
he added, under that authority only
100000 to 100000 has been spent
annually for such purchases. Those
lands are increasing in value at least
10 per cent per year. VIII some Elm
stein tell us" he queried, IF the plan
ming commission program goes up in
cost 81 100000 a. year, and they can
only spend 81 900 900 as will be the case
next year, how long will 1t take to buy
the lands they want?"
Development Of the city, he said, fast
was making difficult" the completion
Of the fort boulevard" proposed to con-
meet the circle Of Civil War forts. En-
croachment on the sources of Rock
Creek in Maryland, he said, threaten
the very existence of that stream, the
golden thread that binds together the
beauty of our greatest park. The val
leys tributary Of Rock Greek, the Ana
costa, the Potomac, the very palisades
are in process Of destruction or are In
peril"
Secretary OF the Treasury Mellon, host
Of the two meetings, was praised by
Representative Cramton THE develop
nlent Of the National Capital to which
the Federal Government is now def
nitely committed along lines so COM
prehensiye and far reaching" he said,
so in, harmony with the plans of Wash
ingtor and L'Enfant, well deserves to
be brought wildly to the knowledge of
the Congress, the residents of the Cap
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