Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-03
East Mall Proposal
Examined in Detail
To the Editor Of The Star:

10 the EDITOR OF Inc StaI.
There is much interest evinced in
the recent publication of some Of the
development plans for the District of
Columbia and in the radio addresses
on this subject.
Actual beginning of the great project
has occurred and has awakened gen.
eral public interest all over the coun-
try. 1t does not seem, however, that
as yet the plans are truly worthy OF
the great possibilities of the situation.
In 1922 the undersigned submitted to
the commission an original plan which
embodied two new features. One OF
these features has been adopted in part,
providing for the boulevarding of B
street from the Capitol Grounds to the
Potomac River. The full plan was to
carry this boulevard clear through, via
B street northeast to and across the
Anacostia River by bridge or viaduct,
probably also of the memorial type, and
on to the District boundary.
Thus was provided truly magnifi-
cent and adequate approach to the Ma
tons Capital from the North, as well
as an artery for through vehicular
traffic from Maryland to Virginia and
the South.
The second feature, equally impor-
tant and comprehensive, provided for
what may reasonably be termed the
completion of the Mall system. This
WILL if adopted and consummated,
create an East Mall" to complement
the existing West Mall"
The new Mall should be Of the same
width as the present one, /. e., from the
new memorial boulevard (B street
northeast) to B street southeast. 1t
should be acquired as soon as possible,
standing be devoted to the many great
buildings, mostly governmental,
which the future Is certain to neceSsi-
tate.
The north half of this entire new
Mall would thus accommodate national
galleries of art, science, aeronautics,
national Conservatives of architecture,
education, music and opera, etc, also
national headquarters of such societies
and organizations as might be deemed
worthy, as we'll as special housings for
the great collections that will be be-
queathed to the Nation when it can
adequately care for them.
The present East Capitol street should
remain as it Is, a central drive through
the East Mall and connected to the
AnacoStia park system, possibly re-
named Capitol Drive
The proposed remodeling Of Lincoln
Park into site for the State build
ingS is deemed entirely inadequate.
Some of the States would doubtless de-
sire to erect buildings monumental in
size and varied in scope Of usefulness
or purpose.
It would also seem unwise to pre-
sumo on a total of so States. Several
are now contemplating a subdivision
and even one State with no p!at pro-
vided for its national building would
present an awkward and embarrassing
situation.
Therefore, it would appear logical to
set apart the whole of the northern
half of the East Mall for this purpose,
calling 1t the State Plaza, possibly, and
In passing, it is suggested that the
present District Building, much too
beautiful to be entirely lost forever
might be removed to a site in the new
Mall and used as hall of Statuary,
for which, we read, there is even now
pressing need.
The East Mall is in reality actually
started, as 1t begins, properly speaking,
with the area upon which the Con-
gresSional Library stands. The new
home of the Supreme Court will COM
ground is made of the same area. 1t
would be regretted should this building
be placed upon the half sized, ILL
shaped plot as now contemplated.
The present proposed site for the air.
port Is across the Potomac, across the
business part Of the city, and far re-
moved from the Post Office. A recent
continuous flight from England to India
proved the necessity of a two-mile run
way. The aircraft Of the future may
require four or I'VE miles for take-of.
How fatal, then, would be an airport
built only for today!
1t is more than probable that every
airport of the future will be connected
with its post office by pneumatic tube
The Potomac and the absence of a
straight, direct street would present
quite a problem.
The logical solution would seem to
delay even little more before Gravelly
Point is finally decided upon. Some
close, If not contiguous, to the new
boulevard and Mall, very likely could
be found a site offering all the re-
quired advantages and none Of the
disadvantages Of the sites now under
consideration. This site would be not
much more than two miles from the
Post ONCE, practically nothing by
broad, straight boulevard or pneumatic
tube.
In the same vicinity should be To-
Gated the Stadium, out In the open
country, yet within very easy bus and
motor distance of the heart of the city.
Why should not some future Olympic
games come to the Nations most beau
tiful city and the worlds most Won
derful Capital?
Development of this the Nations
greatest opportunity. so well begun in
the past and so honestly and con-
scientiously brought to the present day,
has now surely reached the point where
the people ask and expect no further
half measures, no more piecemeal
plans, but complete and final working
out of the whole problem as a whole
The awakened civic spirit-Washing-
tonian. congressional and national-will
be satisfied with nothing else for the
Symbol Of America"
Let us think and plan from now on.
Then, in terms of nothing but ultimate
completeness. with only the idea of the
absolute utilization of our truly won
derful possibilities.
Surely we do not wish future gen.
erationS to reproach us for lack of
courage and foresight, to upbraid us
for lost opportunities.
c. E. CURRIER.