Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-09
'SUBSURFAC AUTO
PARKING IS URGED
Engineer Proposes Garages
Beneath Mall and EI|ipse
South of White House.

Underground daylight garages, fed
orally or municipality owned, to be con-
structed beneath the Mall and the FL
lipse south of the White House, with
out altering landscape conditions on
the surface, are proposed as a solution
of Washington's present and future
automobile parking difficulties by Car
roll Beale, civil engineer Of this city.
Since he first preached this subject
about six months ago Mr.. Beale has
worked out plan. showing proposed
locations, cost and other details.
Mr.. Beale is a member of the firm
of Meigs, Long g. Beale, engineers for
the bridge to be built across the Po-
tomac River at Great Falls. He has
long been interested in trafic condi-
lions in washington and believes he
has devised a parking plan that Is en-
tirely practicable and that will take
care of all cars in the downtown area
OF the city up to the year 1000.
An important feature of the plan
Is a provision for pedestrian subwa-
approaches, starting at six points on K
street and equipped with moving side
walks adequate to transport in few
minutes the drivers of all the cars
that would be parked in the subterra-
mean areas.
Fee For Storage Advised.
In order to discourage persons from
leaving their cars in the underground
garages overnight Mr.. Bsale proposes
that fee for storage be charged in
such cases.
According to the latest census" says
Mr. Beale. Washington has a popula-
ton at present Of $4,000, an increase
of 20 per cent in the past eight years.
At the present rate of increase the
year 1850 will see a population here Of
about 100000.
There are at present registered in
the District of Columbia about 10000
automobiles, or one car for every 3.3
persons On this basis the year 1850
will see registered here approximately
273,000 cars. With due allowance for
duplication of license by transfer of
title, etc. 1t is fair to assume that the
year 1850 will see at least 200, 900 cars
operating on the streets Of the District
Of Columbia. While the number Of cars
in actual operation does not exceed,
perhaps, more than two-thirds of the
cars actually licensed. due consideration
should be given to the cars entering the
city each day from the neighboring
States.
IF the automobile is to remain the
vehicle of transportation for business,
shopping and other purposes in the con-
gested district of the city, it is obvious
that some provision must be made fer
parking. Without this provision the
car Of the average business man will
become a burden rather than con-
venience. While the staggering of bust
ness hours. the reduction in the size Of
the automobile, etc, will greatly ame-
liorate the present highly unsatisfactory
condition. they will by no means solve
the parking problem. The only way to
solve the parking problem is to find a
place to park.
Moving Sidewalks Proposed.
Increase the present traffic conges-
ton 66 per cent and you will have the
true traffic picture of the year 1850. In
the year 1000 the condition will become
intolerable
Mr.. Beale's plan contemplates the
utilization of the subsurface of portions
of the Mall and the White House Ellipse
in conjunction with pedestrian subway
approaches.
I'm each subway" says Mr.. Beale,
will be four moving sidewalks, two Of
them moving north and two south. One
OF each pair will be slow moving side
walk and the other fast-moving walk,
In order that passenger may accelerate
his speed by stepping from the slow
moving one to the fast moving one and
walking forward, If he cares to-
The time required to travel from K
street to the Mall on these moving side
walks. Mr. Beale estimates to be less
than minutes. Stair entrances to the
subways would be provided at each
street corner and other convenient To-
cations.