Evening star., 1932-11-15
DEDICATE HIGHWAY
TO MOUNT VERNON
Officials Unveil Plaque Mark.
ing Formal Completion of
Road Along Potomac.

In a russet-brown Autumn setting
close to the gates of historic Mount
Vernon, members of the United States
Bicentennial Commission with simple
ceremony this afternoon formally dedi-
Gated the scenic Mount Vernon Me-
mortal Highway "to the service of the
people"
The ceremonies. presided over by Sen
ator Simeon D. Fess of Ohio, vice chair
man of the commission, were marked by
the unveiling of a bronze PLAGUE
mounted on a huge mica schist boulder
at the circle-terminus just outside the
grounds of the historic Virginia home
Of George Washington.
Declared FuIfiIIment.
As he pulled aside the American flag
draped over the marker, Senator FeSs
described the picturesque highway link
ing the Nations Capital with its most
famous historic shrine as "fulfillment
Of yearning of the people for decades
for better access from Washington to
Mount Vernon.
'It was appropriate" he said, "that q
great boulevard skirting a new right OF
way along the river, free from the in
convenience of commercial interrupt
tions, devoted wholly to the purpose
Of visit to this hallowed spot, should
be constructed as permanent memorial
of the Bicentennial year."
The road was declared formally COM
pleted by Secretary Of Agriculture Hyde,
under whose department, through the
Bureau Of Public Roads, the magnificent
highway was built.
Senator Fess turned custody Of the
highway over to Lieut.. Col. U. S. Grant,
Sd, director of Public Buildings and
Public Parks.
Fess to Draw Aside Flag.
Senator Fess will pull the cord draw
ing aside the American Flag and off,
cially turn custody of the highway over
to Lieut.. Col. U. S. Grant. Sd, director
of public buildings and public parks.
The plaque, mounted on a native
boulder quarried at the George Wash
ington mill near Great Falls on the
Potomac, is inscribed as follows:
''The Mount Vernon Memorial High
way was authorized by Congress May 90
1923, as an activity of the United States
Commission for the Celebration Of the
200th Anniversary of the Birth OF
George Washington. The highway was
designed and constructed under the d.
rection of the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture. Bureau Of Public
Roads. Construction started Septem-
Der IL, 1929. Open to traffic January
Is, 1882. This highway was formally
dedicated to the service of the people
November IS, 1892"
Highway 1874 Miles Long.
From the Virginia end of the Arling-
ton Memorial Bridge the route of the
highway is 15.4 miles long, traversing
Columbia Island, passing under both
the Highway Bridge and the Railroad
Bridge shore spans, and following as
closely along the Potomocs course as
| topograph, alignment, grades and plans
for future development will permit.
The highway passes through the cen
/ ter of the historic city of Alexandria
/ crosses Hunting Greek and follows the
Potomac to the postern gates of Mount
/ Vernon The right of way of the road
is 200 feet wide except within the limits
/ of Alexandria and seven artistic ma
| sonry bridges, monumental in design
mark the route.
: Headed by Frederic E. Everett, presi-
} dent of the American Association Of
, State Highway Oficials, now holding
/ its convention here, delegates from tht
organization attended the dedication
/ in body.
In addition to the official staff Of
| the Bureau of Public Roads, headed
| by Thomas H. Macdonald, director
other public officials, invited to attend
! included members of the National Com
mission of Fine Arts, National Capita
Park and Planning Commission, tht
| District Commissioners and the mayor
! and city council of Alexandria.