Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-11

based on material gathered by the
Board Of Trade IN It's surrey Of Greater
Washington, to be used as a guide TO
future Grototh OF the n1etropolitGn area.
Government programs for. the physi-
cal development of the National Capital,
which are of such magnitude in size
and magnificence in character they are
setting the city in class by itself, are
listed among the assets OF this metro
politan area in the handbook pub
lished by the Board of Trade from
material compiled in its master COM
munity survey Of Greater Washington.
The book contains descriptions OF the
various agencies having controlling or
advisory powers over local develop
ments, indicating the minute attention
that is being given to the great array
of detailed plans for this area.
The most extensive plans now in
progress of accomplishment, it is pointed
out, are those for the erection OF the
Federal and Municipal centers in which
will be located imposing structures 10
house the various departments OF the
local and national governments here.
ut Is estimated that S35 ,000,0 900 will
be spent on the Municipal group, while
around $3.50 100000 will be needed 10
complete the Federal center" the sur
vey book reports.
Half of Land Acquired.
"About one-half Of the land to be
used for the Municipal Center has been
ACQUIRED, and the remainder probably
will be secured within the next IL
months A total of $65, 900 has been
appropriated for the purpose OF draw
ing plans for the buildings themselves,
and actual construction PROBABLY VIII
begin by the Summer OF 1881.
a.. IL
In the Federal group. The Department
of Agriculture and the Internal Revenue
buildings are already in use, and the
Commerce Building is progressing rap
idlv The House Office Building ana
supreme Court Building are getting I'M
der way. The entire Federal triangular
site located south of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. probably will be completed WITHIN
five to eight years.
plan for the development Of parks and
Fairgrounds, under the supervision OF
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission, the survey sets tortn.
Congress has authorized loan oil
$4,000. 600 to the municipal government
from the Federal Treasury 10 De useo
in the acquisition of land necessary ior
the f,llfillment of the various projects
The acquisition is to be spread over a
period of five years.
Extension Park Program.
The metropolitan areas outside the
District also have extensive programs
for park development, many OF which
plans were worked out in conjunction
with the Park and Planning Commits
sion. thus giving the whole area CO.
ordinated and workable scheme OF
park development, the trade body finds
The street and highway system OF
washington is constantly under study
and an effort is being made to estap-
lish a major thoroughfare plan" 10
recognize the greater Importance OF
some streets over others as traffic ar
teries and to regulate their constitute
ton accordingly.
Probably in no other place is need
more felt for a commercial airport
commensurate with its Importance as a
national center than in Washington"
the handbook states
'sBy special permit, Boiling Field, the
present Army airport Is used by COM
mereial and mail planes. This permit
was granted. however. with the under
standing that the District Commission
ers would hasten action for the estab-
lishment of a commercial airport on
some suitable site.
accordingly, a survey has been
made OF possible airport sites for the
District BY the staff Of the Park and
Planning Commission. As a result, the
commission now has in view an ex-
tensive plan which eir1bodies the fol-
lowing points: A central airport, a
system of emergency landing fields, a
system of auxiliary fields, suitable for
public use or for schools; and sys-
tenn of intermediate fields, spaced at Is
to SO mile intervals among principal
routes"
Plentiful Water Supply.
Few cities, the survey handbook
states. have as plentiful water supply
as does Washington.
Recently, 1t is recited, new aque-
duct was added which provides ample
capacity to insure the city sufficient
water throughout the next so years.
The Suburban Sanitary District, al
though allowed by act of 1917 to use
water from the City of Washington,
has been developing its own water
supply and has been able to supply its
residents, except in times of extreme
drought, with plenty Of water. The
Arlington County Sanitary District Is
furnished water as occasion may re-
quire by the District of Columbia.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, in its five years
OF existence" the handbook states,
has been responsible for great
changes and many forward steps in the
development of the National Capital
With the completion of each unit in
the extensive program now under con-
sideration. much charm and dignity
VIII be added to the City of Wash
ington."