Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-11
HISTORIC VIRGINIA
SECTION PLANNED
AS us. MONUMENT
Project on Famed Peninsula
Authorized Under Terms
of Cramton Bill.
AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS
is ALREADY OBTAINED
Party From Park Service Will
Leave Next Week for Prelimi-
nary Examination.

One of the most famous portions OF
the United States, historically and
ington by auto, water and rail, will be
set apart in the near future for the
permanent benefit and enjoyment of
the people," if present plans of the
National Park Service are carried into
effect. Congressional authority has al
ready been obtained and preliminary
plans are now under consideration. The
section includes jamestown Island, Will
liamSburg and the Battlefield of York
town, all on the famous Peninsula of
Virginia.
1t was at jamestown Island that the
first permanent English settlement in
America was made. The first represent
alive assembly on this continent was
held in Williamsburg, Colonial capital
of Virginia, and at Yorktown the indie
pendence of the United States was Won
A. E. Demaray, acting director of the
National Park Service, with two assist
ants, will leave Washington next week,
he announced today, to make prelim-
mary examination of this area. The
plan, as outlined in the Cramton bill
enacted at the last session of Congress
is that the historic land at these three
spots shall be acquired by the United
States and then connected by scenic
roadways, also owned and maintained
by the Federal Government. The whole
area will be known as the Colonial
National Monument" National monu-
mentS are similar to national parks,
except that they are usually set aside
chiefly on account of their historic or
scientific interest rather than on ac-
count of their scenic value.
Survey of Project Directed.
Under the terms of the Cramton bill
the President is authorized to estab-
lish this area as a national monument
upon recommendation of the Secretary
OF the Interior. who is directed to make
a survey of the whole project before
advising the President.
The Secretary of the Interior is
authorized to acquire the land either by
gift or purchase, and the bill carries
an authorization of 100000 for the
examination, purchase and maintenance
OF the proposed national monument
area.
With Mr.. Demaray will go o. G. Tay-
Tor, one of the national park engineers,
and Herbert L. Brooks of the National
Park Service, to aid in the preliminary
study of the area. Later men will be
sent to make an actual survey of the
various sections under consideration,
all with a view to making a recon-
mendation to the Secretary of the In
terror which will enable him to advise
the President with regard to issuing a
proclamation setting aside the land per-
manently for public purposes.
Our immediate interest" said Mr..
Demaray, "is in the battlefield of York
town. The bill authorizes the Govern
ment to acquire not to exceed 1000
acres of land on the battlefield as part
of the monument. We hope to get this
land prior to October, 1881, when the
150th anniversary of the surrender of
the British at Yorktown will be
observed.
Problems Must Be Overcome.
"On that occasion there will be thou
sands of troops and probably thousands
of visitors at Yorktown. If we acquire
this portion of the proposed new ma
tional monument ahead of this celebra-
ton we may be able to install a water
supply and sanitary facilities which will
not only be convenient for those who
attend the week-long celebration of
the Yorktown surrender but will become
permanent part of the facilities in
the new Colonial monument authorized
by Congress.
Eve expect that this area will become
one of the most interesting and impor-
tant in the whole United States, drawing
each year thousands of visitors. We
recognize, however, that there are sew
eral difficult problems to be overcome
before the area can be set aside for
public use. We hope to have the CO.
operation of the owners of land which
we may desire to acquire in order that
We may avoid condemnation proceed
ings. Such proceedings, while they would
be entered upon if necessary, might
seriously interfere with the SeSquiCen-
tennial at Georgetown in 1891
I'VE expect to have the cooperation
of the Virginia Conservation Commits
sion in all this work. We want to
treat the owners fairly, but we are I'M
der an obligation to the Government
to acquire the land at a reasonable val
uation.
THE State of Virginia proposes to
acquire jamestown Island and contrib
ute it as its share to the Colonial Ma
tional Monument. What portion of Will
Harrisburg will eventually be included
in the Government area will probably
depend largely upon the actions of John
D. Rockefeller, jr., who is paying for
the restoration of the Colonial capital
of Virginia.
1.-THE success of the whole plan de-
ponds to a great extent on local Coop
Grafton and fair dealing with the Gov
eminent by those who own the land
which we may desire to include in the
monument"