Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-08
D. c. GETS PLEDGES
Of AID IN MARKING
ENTRANCES TO CITY
u. S., Two States and Civic
Leaders Unite in Drive
for Identification.
DESIGNS ARE PROPOSED,
BUT NONE YET ADOPTED
Garden Club of America Backs
Capital Committee in Program
for 1882 Fete.


1882 received serious consideration OF
officials from the Federal Government,
the States of Maryland and Virginia,
and leaders of garden clubs and move
ments to beautify the roadside in a
meeting called yesterday by Mrs. Frank
B. NoyeS, chairman OF the NaGonal
Capital Committee of the Garden Club
of America, at her home, 1888 Vermont
avenue. A.
several plans were discussed. and the
cooperation of all agencies represented
was pledged in an effort to push the
matter and to work out an acceptable
program so that the hordes OF visitors
pouring into this city during the plcen-
tennial year will enter through much
more dignified and beautiful entrances
than now exist.
Some difference of opinion was eX-
pressed as to the details OF treatment
which should be accorded the gates 10
the city. but all were agreed that some
thing should be done, and would be
done in time for the bicentennlal.
Speakers at Meeting.
Among the speakers were Mrs. Noyes,
chairman OF the meeting, who Will pre-
sent q report to gathering soon OF
officials of the Garden Club of America
In New York, planning their national
program for the year; Frederic A. De.
la1lO, chairman OI CIlC NdbAOlAdA SoPAVtAA
Park and Planning Commission; Lieut..
Col. u. S. Grant, Sd, executive ofhcer OF
the National Capital Park and Planning
Commission; Charles w. Eliot, I'd, city
plarner of the same commission; irving
c. Root, chief engineer Of the Maryland
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission: H. j. Neal landscape
engineer of the Highway Department OF
Virginia; Mrs. Leslie Gray OF Orange,
Va, president of the Garden Club Of
Virginia; Mrs. w. L. Lawton, chairman
of the National Council for Protection
of Roadside Beauty; DR.. David Fair
child of the Department of Agriculture
and others.
In opening the meeting, a letter was
read from Mrs. William A. Lockwood,
president of the Garden Club of
America. expressing keenest interest in
the project of identifying and marking
the gates to the National City. APP
proval of the general idea was expressed
In a letter from Col. Grant, and interest
shown in letter to Col. Grant by
Charles Moore, chairman of the Com
mission of Fine Arts, which was read
to the meeting. Horace w. Peaslee OF
this city, vice president of the American
Institute Of Architects, wrote enthusi-
astically, declaring that his organiza-
ton was taking active steps to support
the project.
Mr.. Eliot presented to the gathering
O series of architects sketches, prepared
by William T. Partridge of the Plan
ming Commission, showing treatment
which could be accorded the gateways
of the city by the use Of some of the
granite columns which are to be taken
of the old State, War and Navy Build
ing soon, when it is remodeled. Much
interest was displayed in these various
drawings, which showed different kinds
- rao eli Na If
feet in height for markers Of the Dis
trict of Columbia line. Eagles were
depicted atop most Of the columns. In
explaining the proposed use of these
as markers of the entrances to the Dis
trict, Mr. Eliot said thsre we're some
entrances where he thought they would
not be adequate, such, for instance, as
the Sixteenth street entrance and the
Wisconsin avenue entrance. He thought,
however, they would be desirable at
several locations, such, for instance, as
the line south Of the Virginia end OF
Highway Bridge, at Key Bridge and
some Maryland entrances. He ex-
planned that the proposal had not yet
had the approval of the Fine Arts Com
mission. The columns themselves, he
estimated, would be available long be-
fore 1882.
No Longer "Dirt Cheap"
Discussing the grading and planting
problem at the entrances to the city,
Col Grant explained that the cost of
grading and planting, in which the
Garden Club was so much interested,
depended largely upon the varying ma
ture of the land and the soil, and
whether much new topSon would be re-
CURED. The old phase, dirt cheap,
was no longer true in the District of
Columbia, he said, as good top soil
brought real prices. He approved the
idea of the garden clubs planting areas
at the entrances, but said Signboards
and gasoline stations married the seem
cry at many places. Further studies OF
proposed markers would be made by
the commission, he said.
Mrs. Moves explained that the Garden
Club of America was deeply interested
IN the proposal to erect dignified mark
ers at the gateways of the city. She
wished to have something definite to
submit to a meeting of officials of the
organization soon in New York, 50 that
financial aid from the Garden Club
might be considered.
She hoped the garden clubs Of Mary
land and Virginia would be interested
IN planting suitable trees and shrubs
about these markers. The National
Capital Committee of the Garden Club
of America, of which Mrs. Noyes is
chairman, would make gift OF the
planting about one Of these markers,
she explained.
Club OF Virginia, expressed interest,
eharacterizing 1t as beautiful idea,
and said her organization would do its
part.
SignbOards Problem.
The discussion also included prob
aems Of beautifying the highways lead
sv,Ra of ~ arttClflATlV
ing or eliminating signboards. Mr.
Neal of the Virginia Highway Depart
ment said 1t would be helpful to know
more definitely who owns the signs,
and the property, and now Wloe was
the right Of way. He thought II
might be helpful to set limit sucn
as two miles outside of the National
Capital, for clearing up the nignway
and perhaps 1t might be extended u
four. -,
A. J. Montgomery. head of the divi-
sion of Public Relations Of the American
Automobile Association, speaking for
Ernest N. Smith, executive vice preSi-
dent of the association, explained MS
organization was active In this very
kind of work. to improve the neaSts
of the highways. Committees were be-
sng appointed, he said, cooperation
was being had from the Virginia Cham
her of Commerce, and models OF I'M
Y1royed gasoline stations were being de-
veloped which would greatly help the
looks of the principal roads leaoine
into the National Capital.
Discussing the signboard situation
NJ. NoyeS declared she was not ~
favor If 200 feet back from the high
p or 500 fset back: what she wanted
she said was TO see the billboardi
eliminated altogether. She referred K
4. zoninG and planning act, which