Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-28

BOULEVARD FUNDS
ATTACKS DECLARED
BASED ON MISTAKE
Original 81, 500, 900 Outlay
Omitted Details, Roads Bu-
reau Chief Says.
UNFORESEEN PROBLEMS
INCREASING COST CITED
Macdonald Also Stresses Desire to
Complete Mount Vernon High
way for Bicentennial.

Memorial highway, ulCluuuiz lllC 1COuo'
paving, today brought detailed defense
from Thomas H Macdonald, chief OF
the Bureau of Roads, of the Department
of Agriculture, which is in charge OF
the work.
Macdonald says, at the outset. that
the attacks are founded on mistaken
premise, in that the original fund OF
S4.50O,0 900 for the highway was allotteo
on the basis of a preliminary survey
which did not attempt to plan III ue-
tail for the construction.
This original set-up was designed 10
meet the demands of flrst-clasS road
way over the Is miles, but did not take
into consideration such an elaboration
as later was necessitated when it was
decided to make the area a parkway
which would be link in the develop
ment from Mount Vernon to Great
Falls. and which thereby entaned the
ACQUISITION of additional land.
= Again. when the proposition got
down to the point where detailed plans
we're gone into, new problems In con-
.strlction arose which could not posi-
bly, have been foreseen, and mere also
added cost crept in, particularly since
speed was an important factor, mas
rn,1ch as the layout is to be completed
In time for the Washington Blcenten-
NAL celebration next year.
Eventual Economies Seen.
Macdonald asserts, however, the
items responsible for the larger eX-
penditures will show up actually as
economies in the long ru7
The largest expenditure out OF the
highway fund which the preliminary
estimate did not take into consluera-
ton approXimated 81 100000. This was
accounted for in part, Mcdonald eX-
plains, by the reconstruction at the
South end of Highway Bridge, neces-
stated by growing traffic congestion
and in part by the change In plans LOT
filling the tidal fats and. marshes along
the Potomac River, across which ABOUT
2l2 miles of the construction lies.
The bridge work was specifically au-
thorized by Congress last April.
AS for the filling. the expense was
more than doubled, jumping from
about 80 cents per cubic yard to 60
cents, though done at cost by Army
Engineers, when it was found mad
yisable to use the ordinary river silt.
substituting instead selected sand and
gravel.
Longer Pumping REQUIRED.
AS Mcdonald explains. the silt base
would never have dried out in time TO
gravel. much better in every way were
obtained in or along the river, necessi-
tating much longer pumping distance.
In support of his argument against the
silt. he SAYS that some of this material
pumped into Columbia Island, for the
Memorial Bridge crossing, has not
dried out after a lapse of five years.
AS another item of cost along this
line, it was necessary TO increase the
number and length Of pilings, and to
replace soft mud with sand and gravel
unGer y bridges, which are linked in
the highway.
Then the question of land acquisi-
ton entered, and here is an expendi-
ture either already made or proposed,
approximating 100000. not taken into
consideration in the preliminary esti-
mate.
1t has been the aim to acquire such
lands as would give the Government
control of the water front over the
whole route Of the highway. with the
exception of the stretch through the
city of Alexandria and, below there.
wellington villa, where cost is pro-
hibitive.
Time Element Also Enters
Here the time element also entered,
because. until the law was changed last
year. 1t was not permitted to occupy
lands to be condemned until title had
passed to the Government. This meant
that purchase had TO be effected
through agreement with the owners.
Macdonald is not of the opinion, how
ever. that this procedure was any cost
lier than condemnation Where the
additional cost came in was that in
stead of simply securing right of way
II became necessary to obtain abutring
L. Il &
more economical TO buy before the
building Of the highway boosted the
values.
In all, Sc tracts, totaling 805 acres,
have been acquired or are in process of
condemnation. OF this total. All acres
have been purchased at total cost of
$636,559. an average cost per acre of
$l,549. Fourteen acres are in process
of condemnation. 40 were owned pre-
viously by the Government, 10l have
been donated, al have been reclaimed
and 1913 have been quit claimed.
OF he money already spent. approx
Ynately 100000 was in excess of the
preliminary estimate, and there Is
pending in the appropriation now sought
an additional s247 600 which would
bring in the last fringe of land needed
for water front control and provide for
Q concession building at Mount Vernon
II that is 10 be operated by the Gov
eminent.
Parkway items and lighting totaling
$425000 are responsible for ractically
all the remainder of the excess cost,
for in the original estimate these were
only allotted 100000.
1876 Acres at Cost Price.
In connection with the land deals,
Macdonald points cut that ore tx
penditure of about 1921 900 gave the
Government control of~yirtually the en-
tire Grayelly Point area, with almost
unlimited possibilities for expanding the
section by filling. and thus paving the
way for construction Of great airport
for both land and seaplanes If that
ultimately is designed.
This came about when the r.. F. and
p Railroad declined 10 sell q right of
way over its territory in that section,
but offered its entire holdings at cost,
plus carrying charges. The Govern
ment thereupon bought 1875 acres there
for S185 500, which the railroad com :
panys books showed was cost price.
Then the railroad quitclaimed 1913 acres
adjoining. With this land in control,
So adjoining acres owned by the South
ern Railway were purchased under the
same conditions for SAC 800. III addi-
ton. $4,000 was given 20 the Smoot
Sand e. Gravel Co. TO Telinuuish an
agreement under which they would have
been able to obtain sand and gravel
from the lands acquired, for about five
years yet
II was from this area, incidentally
that the material for the fills was OBJ
tanned, effecting that much of saw
ing in the cost Of material.
S3,403,0O0 Already Spent.
In all. the total expenditures to Feb
N
contracts already let will eat p the
balance of the $4,5OO,000 approl rated
The highway has progressed TO the
poirt where the bridges over the streams