Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-04
WATERPROOF PLAN,
DELAYED3YEARS,
WILL Be REVIVED
Trade Board Committee to
Seek Action This Fall on
Channel Project.
DEVELOPMENT COST
PLACED AT $3,500,00O
Survey, Made Under Maj. Somer-
ville's Direction, on File
With Jadwin.

Action on the proposal for the COM
mercial development and beautlncatlon
of the Washington channel and the
steamboat wharveS along Water street,
held up without recommendation 1or
nearly three years in the office OF NAL
Gen. Edgar JadWin, chief OF Engineers
of the Army, will be sought this FAN by
the rivers and harborS committee OF
the Board of Trade and other business
interests.
A complete plan for the proposed de-
velopment, with estimates of cost, has
been prepared under the direction OF
Mai. Brehon B. Somerville, Engineer
officer in charge of this district, in
compliance with a provision OF the
rivers and harbors act passed by Con-
gress early in 1925. This plan was EN-
bodied in a report by Maj Somervllle
to the chief of Engineers in November,
1925.
Report Has Been PigeOnholed.
Since that time, the report has been
pigeonholed in Gen. Jadwin'S ONCE.
Just why no action has been taken upon
it is something of a mystery, but 1t Is
understood that Gen. Jadwin has been
so busy with other engineering prob
lens of pressing national Importance
that he has not had time to consider
several controversial matters Whlcn
have arisen in connection with the
proposal.
Frank p. Leetch, chairman of the
rivers and harbors committee OF the
Board of Trade, and other members OF
his committee who have examined the
plan, are anxious to get some action on
it by the chief of Engineers this Fail,
in order that it may be forwarded with
out further delay to Congress and steps
may be taken to obtain an approprla-
ton to begin the work.
Although some differences of opinion
exist as to details of the proposal, Mr..
Leetch does not think they should be
permitted to hold up the entire project
any longer.
Congress Acted in 1925.
Congress appropriated $4,000 in the
rivers and harborS act of 1925 for
survey of the water front on the north
side of Washington Channel with a
view of preparing plans and estimates
of cost for the construction OF an ade-
quate terminal or terminals. which
would provide appropriate facilities for
water transportation and for inter-
change of traffic between vessels and
the railroads and highways"
It was also provided that the plan
should include Recommendation which
may be deemed advisable for co-ordi-
mating the full commercial use" of the
water front and its Identification.
After thorough study of the locality
a plan and estimates were prepared in
Mai Somerville'S office for improve
ment of the water front at cost of
approximately $3,500,000. This plan
has three important features, as fol-
lows:
l. Development of the water front, in
Guiding wharf improvement for COM
mercial purposes. and better yachting
facilities in Washington Channel.
2. A bridge across the upper end of
Washington Channel from Water street
to Potomac Park, so that traffic may
reach the park without crossing the
stream of traffic that flows over the
Highway Bridge.
3. Construction of boulevard along
Water street to be connected by way of
M or L street with the Anacostia Bridge
and the park on the eastern side of the
AnacoStia River.
Steam Rail Link Unprovided.
The plan as drafted does not provide
for steam railroad connection with the
Water street Wharves. The engineers
who studied the question believe that
on account of the narrowneSs of the
Washington Channel, large freight YES
bic to use that part of the Potomac
River
1t has been suggested that II provi-
sion is made for the interchange of
rail and water freight on a large scale,
a better place for such joint terminals
would be at Buzzard Point. east of the
Army War College reservation.
Many local business men, who are
eager to see the work of improvement
commence as soon as possible, would
like to see the report sent to Congress
this Fall with any recommendations
which the chief of Engineers may de-
sire to make They take the position
that when the report once is before
Congress, the differences of opinion re-
garding rail terminals could be thrashed
out there. Such a course would be bet
ter. they contend, than permitting the
whole project to die from inaction.
Maj. Gen. Jadwin will retire from
active duty on account of age on We'd
nesday His successor as chief of En-
gineers has not yet been appointed. AS
soon as the new chief is named efforts
to get action on the report will be re-
newed.