Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-22
The Slaughter House Menace.

pies and shrines in its immediate vi
cinity, a slaughter house can never be
camouflaged and made to exude an
aroma that is anything but foul and Of
fensive. Though pigs be given perfumed
shower baths and housed in cribs OF
pens of sweet lavender, the atmosphere
for several miles of surrounding terri
tory will most surely be continuously
reeking with the malodorous emana-
tions from their place of confinement.
Though every precaution be taken to
make such an industry as attractive as
possible, it can never be anything other
than nuisance of the most obnoxious
nature if located in or near residential
community.
If the application for permission to
erect slaughter house on the Virginia
side Of the Potomac on q site between
Columbia pike and the Potomac River,
Arlington Memorial Bridge and the
Highway Bridge, is granted by the Ar
lington County Commissioners an Of
Tense Of grave proportions will have
been committed-an offense affecting
not only the county itself, but one which
will bring shame and humiliation to the
people Of the entire United States. The
location under consideration is literally
at the foot of Arlington National Gene
terry and the Tomb Of the Unknown
Soldier, a shrine TO which the whole
world makes pilgrimage and pays trib-
ute. It will be less than two miles from
the White House and but little more
than half a mile from the Lincoln
Memorial. It's sewage will empty into
the river directly opposite that section
of Potomac Park, and the river at that
point is a scant half-mile wide. With
the completion of the Arlington Memo
rial Bridge and the magnificent ma
tional boulevard which is to link the
National Capital, Arlington Cemetery
and Mount Vernon with the most beau
tiful driveway in the world, the en-
trance into Virginia will be made ac-
tually at the gates of the slaughter
house. and the Mount Vernon branch OF
the boulevard viii form semi-circle
around the plant.
1t is inconceivahle that the commits
sioners of Arlington County desire to
commit such an offense against the Ma
ton, or against the residents and tax
payers Of the adjacent communities.
Ceremonies at the Tomb OF the I'm
known Soldier will be accompanied by
the noisome stencil emanating from the
carloads Of animals being shipped into
the plant as well as from the foul odors
which will exude from the slaughter
house itsef. Potomac Park will become
a place to be avoided instead of the at
tractive and restful driveway and gath
ering place of the people. The Tidal
Basin will be doomed as place for
pleasure, and no longer will the cherry
blossoms encircling that body Of water
draw the thousands of visitors from all
parts of the world who annually come
to enjoy their beauty. At the White
House there would be almost an inces-
SAINT explanation and apology to delega-
tions and visitors for the bad smell
which comes from Virginia"
The obvious injury to Arlington
County itself, If this permit be granted.
Is one TO which the commissioners should
give the most careful consideration.
Beautiful homes which now cover the
heights above the site of the proposed
plaat will be abandoned as their occu-
pants and owners fee from the nau-
seating stencil. A rapid depreciation Of
property values will almost assuredly
follow, and in q short time the territory
which now enjoys the greatest oppor-
tunity in its history to become the gar
den spot of the Old Dominion will de-
teriorate and degenerate into an un-
slightly, evil-smelling neighborhood OF
Objectionable industries, for the estab-
lishment of a slaughter house would
serve as an opening wedge for other in
dustries equally obnoxious and unde-
sirable.
The Secretary of War has made a
strong protest against the granting OF
the permit. He has. in fact, asked that
he be given sn opportunity to appear
before hearing if one should be held
Apparently no hearing will be held, for
the decision of the commission will be
made on the 28th Of this month, only a
few days hence. Lieut.. Col. u. 8. Grant
Sd, superintendent Of public buildings
and parks, and member Of the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning Com
mission, has also registered his disap-
proval. The Virginia Park and Planning
Commission opposes the granting Of the
permit, and every organization within
the county has made plea for Its
denial.
In the face of all these objections
and with not single feature OF the in
dustry itself in its favor, it is incon.
ceivable that the Arlington County
commissioners will grant the applica.
tioa Of the packing company and bring
upon the State Of Virginia, the Ma.
tional Capital and the United State.
the shame and humiliation of the desc.
Grafton of the territory which is nov
in process Of dedication to the Nation!
honored dead.