Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-15

used, boatyards are overlooking ar
'larly we'll situated at present to
ships, let alone the increases that ,
A new highway threatens to dis
possess one prominent club of its pre-
misses, another club is forced to use
a public anchorage with no particular
rights therein, others are located so
that their approach Is difhcult and
through one Of the least attractive
portions of the city, and some -time-to-
be improvement plans preclude the
possibility Of any private enterprise
riSking any large investment on the
Water street side of the channel. Ac-
ton by the Federal and District gov
eminent Is the only solution and 1t Is
to this end that all lovers Of boating
and the water must bend their efforts
If Washington is to emerge from the
ruck and not only place herself on a
par with other progressive cities, but,
as the Nations Capital, place herself
first in her water front conditions as
an example to the rest Of the country.
Concerted action by the local boating
fraternity could result in but one thing,
real and immediate improvement.
A T present few OF the moorings in
IA the washington channel anchor
age are identiflable. some are ADAM
doned, others are In leaky condition
that renders them menace to craft
moving In and out. their semi-suh-
merged condition making them practi-
cally invisible. One rather large boat
too long out of the wreckers' yard
takes UP a vast amount Of room, her
condition being such that no careful
boatman would care to moor his craft
close to, her condition being plainly
indicative of the lack Of financial re-
sponsibiity of her owner.
These moorings should be painted
and adequately marked so that their
identity might never be in doubt, and
old abandoned moorings pulled up and
removed entirely, II the present system
of anchorage is to be continued, how
ever inefficient.
ID BOARDING inadequacy of facili
X ties for visiting craft what better
example might be quoted than the
tying up four deep of the visiting
Coast Guard Patrol craft at the ever
malodorous Fish Wharf, and a larger
craft, the Boutwell,, moored to the
crumbling remains Of q dock at the
dilapidated District property yard. The
procurement of such an item as fresh
water Is practically an impoSSibDity at
either of these places, their unsuita-
bility is unquestioned.
THE proper place for the begin
i ming of water front development
is within the channel as the most suit
able place now available for the berth
ing Of watercraft It is true that in
time the increase in numbers Of visiting
and local boats might outgrow the
limits of these waters, the situation
then could be relieved by the construc-
ton of other basins at other points.
To entirely remove the water craft from
here would also remove one Of the chief
attractions Of the parkway, the good
citizen seeking relief from the heat
himself so that his vision with regard
to passing or anchored water craft is
unobstructed, the crowd being invari-
ably thickest where the most boats are
visible. Witness the deserted condition
of the shores of the Tidal Basin as
compared to often crowded areas along
Potomac Park wall and the interest
Of the crowd as water craft pass, the
cameras. the waving of hands.
TT is not advocated that public funds
i be expended for the improvement of
, grounds and sites for private institu-
! tons such as yacht clubs and associa-
tons as may be necessary: in short,
operation Of public boatwells open to
all amenable to such rules and regula-
tions as may be necessary, in short,
for the general public. An opportunity
exists for the many clubs now located
here to merge themselves into one Or
| ganiZation and create q National Capt.
tai boating center that could be of
benefit to all and a real power in
water front affairs and development.
THE Isaak Walton League OF
i America through its local chapter
the Potomac Anglers Association, is
striving nightly in its fight against
the pollution Of the adjacent waters
and for the preservation Of the natu-
raj beauties Of the Potomac River.
| This program should have strong
appeal to our boatmen and is one of
particular interest and benefit. If you
| do not care to Join the association, at