Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-24
Washington in 1882.

Washington in 1882.
~nliam Tyler Pages relatively briei
'o~Ss.Ale of the Bicentennial Commits
sion's plans for 1882 is the first tangible
picture of the great events to take
place here in the Capital two year;
! hence.
Conventions, celebrations, psgeants
parades, carnivals-and all roads lead
ing to Washington. Only two years
remain to complete the preparations
The scope of this national fete is such
| that the interval is too short.
Unless there is definite action soon
two great projects which have beer
talked about for years will still be lack
ing at time when events now shaping
/ come to pass. Their loss will be keenly
felt One is the projected National
Capital Airport. The other is a pup
lie stadium for the accommodation OF
great crowds that would gather in
Washington to witness national pag-
eants or athletic games.
/ over
and debated and championed and has
won the enthusiastic support of every
man who ever opened his mouth on
| the subject during the last three years,
but as far as actual progress is con-
cerned. the airport for the National
| Capital is as far from realization as
1t was when Lindbergh lit in Paris. 1t
viii be unfortunate indeed if during
this coming celebration in 1882 WASH
ington can offer no adequate provision
for series of nationally important air
events IMPLYING mans triumph over
one of the last frontiers in this New
World.
The stadium appears even further
from realization than the airport. But
If 1t were included now as one of the
features of the new Capital of 1892
It's opening and dedication two years
hence still would be possible. In this
connection it is sincerely to be hoped
that the Board of Trades efforts to
interest the Roosevelt Memorial Asso-
citation in making this stadium the
monument in Washington to Theodore
Roosevelt will be marked with early
success.
But even without the beginning or
completion Of these two undertakings
Washington in 1882 will be city trans
formed. The transformation is now
taking place, though we who live SO
close TO 1t and watch the day-by-day
progress are apt to lose sight of the
significant changes.
In 1882 the Arlington Memorial
Bridge, with the exception of some of
the approaches on the other side of the
river, VIII be completed. The Mount
vernon Boulevard will be completed
The gigantic memorial to Washington
In Alexandria will be completed.
Work will be nearing completion nm
the new House ONCE Building and on
the Supreme Court. The Capitol Plaza
VIII be cleared of most of the rubbish
that now lies between the Capitol and
the Union Station, and it is probable
that the new boulevard from the sta
ton to Pennsylvania avenue will be
opened. B street will have been widened
and cut through to the Capitol.
Two tremendous Government struc-
tures-the Department of Commerce
Building and the Internal Revenue
Building-will have been completed as
the first units of the Governments tri-
angle.
North of the Department of Com
merce Building park of green grass
and trees will lie where now stand those
ancient relics of another day-the
Polfs Theater and the oxford Hotel
and other ramshackle ediflces extend
ing to Fourteenth street. The work of
demolition and clearing out these struc-
lures north of the Commerce Building
Will begin this Summer. Plans are al
most ready for the parking, and when
trees are planted they will be large
enough to lend this new open space
the appearance Of vigorous youth, II
not of mature age.
If the Elliott bill already passed by the
House and now on the Senate calendar.
becomes law within the near future.
1882 will find progress already made on
other great buildings within the tri-
! angle. On the site of the "Pepco"
Building at Fourteenth and B work will
have begun on the new Department of
Labor Building. A little further east
along B street construction will be
going forward on the new Interstate
| Commerce Commission Building. And
If there is luck and speed work may be
progressing on new Post Office Build
ing. between the Interstate Commerce
Commission and Internal Revenue
Buildings.
Still further east on B street, between
Ninth and Tenth, the new Archives
Building will be rearing its steel skele-
ton, and beyond it, perhaps, near where
the old Center Market stands, the new
Department of Justice Building.
North Of the Acknowledgement Third
and Sixth-the old buildings now stand
ing probably will have been razed to
make way for the first unit of the Capt.,
tails new Municipal Center.
In 1882 much of the old Washington
will have gone. The new Washington
will be merely beginning to take form in
glistening white stone and the restful
green Of trees and grass.
-s--s0~-~-
Coalitions are not readily effected
I 1,