Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-21
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

1t would seem that during the discus
sion so years ago OF the problem OF
On Retaining of 't the Potomac and
4ho TIo+s improving the water
the THUS front not any one
who had plan or theory on the sub
ject failed to publicly express it, and
that there were few people minus an
opinion. The pages of The Star dur
ing the week of December IA to 20,
1880, contained many columns of letters
from citizens representing a variety OF
professions and business interests, pro-
posing as many schemes. Upon the
disclosure of information that an effort
was to be made by two prominent
Maryland men to secure authority for
private ownership and development Of
the fats area, The Star printed the fol-
lowing editorial. headed "A Big
Scheme" in its issue of December IS,
1880:
1T is stated that two Marylanders,
ex-State Senator Michael Bannon and
Col P M. Snowden, with some Wash
ingtonians, are interested in a big
scheme to get charter from Congress
to reclaim the Potomac flats on their
own account, on condition that the
Government transfer to them the own
ership of the land SO reclaimed and i'm
proved They propose to organize ur-
der the name of the Potomac River I'M
provement Co., and 1t is stated that
the Maryland portion of the company
is quite active and determined to bring
the matter to the attention of Congress-
'Mr. Michael Bannon-or Mike Ban
non, as he is Familiarity known in Mary
land-quite likely expects to exercise
considerable influence in Congress in
10, x.fI hi Ia Nryfkh
German, Senator -elect, have been boss
associates in what is called the canal
ring that has held supreme Dictator
ship in the politics of that State for
some years. He is an active wire-puller,
but will not succeed in getting his big
scheme through Congress.
1.-THE Government will never con-
sent to give the river front of the Ma
tional Capital to the two gentlemen
from Maryland or to any private COM
pany. All that they will accomplish by
fore Congress will be to impede any ac-
ton looking to the improvement of the
river fats by the Government. 1t is an
unfortunate condition of affairs here
that the moment project for carrying
out a great public improvement like
that of the reclamation of the river
flats Is in hopeful position for eXecu-
ZION IL is anCagOnlzeQ Dy the ScnemeS
and theories of all sorts of jobbers or
men with hobbies It is a general ex-
preston of opinion in both houses of
Congress that there would not be any
difficulty whatever in getting an appro-
priation for the immediate commence
ment of this great sanitary improve
ment but for the discord of schemes
and plans brought forward and clamor-
ously advocated or denounced. 1t is
plain that the only hope for the execu-
ton of this improvement Is in Congress
resolutely shutting its ears to the
clamor of the jobbers and theorists and
providing for the work in the ordinary
appropriation legislation--in the river
and harbor BILL for instance.
THE reclamation of the river flats is
the single feature of improvement need
ed to make Washington the most
healthful as we'll as the most beautiful
of American cities. All the other
hauntS of malaria in and about Wash
ington have been graded, filled up or
drained, and this remains as the single
noXious spot, offensive to the eye and
nose, and no doubt the breeder of dis
ease. Every member Of Congress and
every person in Government employ is
even more interested than the accli-
mated citizens of Washington in having
these malarial marshes, directly bound
ing the Capital City, reclaimed without
delay"