Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-19
PACT ELIMINATES
ARLINGTON DUMP
Site on Alexandria Pike South
of Highway Bridge Involved
in Agreement.
BY a stan Correspondent of The Star.

BY Stan Correspondent Of The Star.
ARLINGTON COUNTY COURT
HOUSE. Va, January 19.-The acrid
smell of smoke by day and the con-
tinual glare of fire by night that has
for years marked the dump on the
Washington pike, just south
of the Highway Bridge, will cease to
exist after March IL, according to the
terms of an agreement reached between
the Richmond, Fredericksburg 81 Poto-
mac Railroad and the operator Of the
dump, it was made known today.
Agreement Follows Suits.
BY the terms of the agreement, which
was reached after the railroad company
had filed two suits totaling 1000
against the operator, the latter may con-
tinue to use the land for dumping I'M
til March IL, at which time the rail-
road company will take over the prop
erty, clean it up and grade it. The
suits involved the ownership of the land.
Elimination of this dump is believed
by many leaders in the county to be the
most progressive move that has yet been
to Washington and the new Arlington
Memorial Bridge in time for the bicen-
tennial celebration. 1t has always been
unsightly and the clouds of smoke that
are erupted from the continually burn
ing trash have enveloped the entire
South Washington section.
Among the advantages that are
pointed out Is the fact that the dis
continuance of this dump and the
Military road opposite the Government
Experimental Farm will free the High
way Bridge approaches from the almost
ceaseless flow of decrepit vehicles haul
ing trash to the dumps.
This traffic, it is claimed, seriously
impedes the other traffic using the
bridge, and the old wagons and trucks
employed in the hauling Of a large
amount Of the trash are frequently
found broken down along lower Four
tenth street in Washington, on the
bridge and in Virginia. Also, it Is said,
many of them are so carelessly loaded
that trash is strewn along the roadway
some of 1t containing nails that are a
menace to the tires Of automobiles using
the route.
Reason for Dumps Outlined.
The reason for these dumps in the
first place, and one that has never been
made clear to many persons whose
eSLneLlC senses nave DeeH OuIIdBCu ny
the appearance and odors of the places,
was outlined today by those interested.
The dumps, while unpleasant, have
served q useful and necessary purpose
in that they have been used for filling
in swamps that we're not only ugly in
themselves, but were breeding places for
insects and diseases. Through the fill
ing-in process a large amount Of the
land that is now being used by the
Washington Airport has been made, and
so swiftly is this work progressing that
it is believed this project also will soon
be completed.
incidentally. it is gratifying TO on
Gals who have fostered the construc-
ton of the new Arlington Memorial
Bridge and the new Mount Vernon
Boulevard that theN filling in OF the
swamps and the elimination of the
dumps should be so nearly completed as
the time approaches for the opening of
the new projects.
Takes Eight Acres.
Through the terms of the agreement
between the railroad company and the
operator, the former on March 10 takes
over the iatter's interest in acres of
land that Is known as the Reaches Run
Marsh.
Other than to clean up and grade the
land. the railroad company has no inn
mediate plans for its use, it was said,
but will hold the land for future devel-
opment.