Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-08-07
Building OF A Great Memorial.

Editorial ia Washington Star,
The proposed George Washington Memo
rial Parkway. skirting both banks Of the
Potomac from Mount Vernon to Great Falls
Is easily the predominant feature Of the
Capper-Cramton park legislation and, at
the same time, the most difficult Of attain
ment. The cost Of the land and develop
ment, for one thing. is tremendous, re-
qulrlng an eventual outlay of about
$l5.OO0.000. The Federal Governments
share Of the undertaking. 81. SOC, 900, has
already been authorized and, of this amount
a million dollars is now available But the
authorized and appropriated moneys are
tied up by the important proviso that they
are not to be spent until the State of Mary
land or Virginia, or the political subdivisions
thereof. or 'other responsible sources"
make available their share Of the funds.
The difficulty Of r1isine the State share
Of the $l5.O00.000 required is obvious, but
there is no lack Of sentiment in favor Of
the project in either Maryland or Virginia
The nature Of the memorial itself commends
it. II is regarded as one OF the Greatest
parts Of the whole, broad scheme Of de-
velopne the Capital and its environs. And
the loss to the people OF the extraordinarily
beautiful and picturesque land involved is
not TO be contemplated.
The recently announced formation, there.
fore. Of an incorporated Board Of Trustees,
representing in its membership the District
Of Columbia. Maryland and Virginia, Is to
be regarded as one Of the important steps
toward realizing the acquisition and
eventual development Of the parkway The
board will be charged with the acceptance
Of gifts or pledges from private sources
from the States or from their political
subdivisions. TO be applied toward the
purchase and development OF the parkway.
Congress has authorized the advance or
loan Of Federal funds for acquisition of
different units Of the land when and il
there is definite assurance that its funds
will be matched and repaid. without in-
terest. over period Of eight years. The
newly created Board Of Trustees will be
empowered TO seek and accept the dona.
tons in land, cash or pledges. And, once
In hand, these gifts will enable the Federal
Government. through the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission. to proceed
with the expenditure Of the funds appro-
priated. One Of the advantages Of the
plan is the elimination Of otherwise cum
bersome red tape. For the money donated
by individuals. or appropriated by the
States or their political subdivisions will,
In effect, be held in trust by the Board Of
Trustees. Should the great plan for the
George Washington Memorial Parkway fail,
the money can be returned to the doners
without resort 10 the clumsy process OF
obtaining congressional authorization for
its refund. The Federal Government, In
other words. will not accept the funds from
the States until they are complete. But il
can proceed to protect. by option or pur.
chase. all Of the lands desired without
hazardine eventual success by years Of
delay.
Nothing approaching the magnitude Of
the parkway project can be realized with
oct years Of consistent effort and hard work.
Such memorials are not built In day. In
addition 90 the detailed work OF merely
accepting aud holding 10 trust the moneys