Evening star., 1932-01-02

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paratory to construction Of monu
out of new parks and avenues.
Difficult Problems Left.
The old year also left a number
of difficult problems on the door
step of the new year and while
the solution of several of these
questions may not be found dur
ing the course Of 1882, the ulti-
mate decisions will preSage i'm
portant changes in the face Of
the National Capital for the
future.
These matters of uncertainty,
which in some cases have given
rise to wide difference of opinion
among officials responsible for
various phases of the develop
ment program, have served the
good purpose of centering
heightened interest and attention
to these vastly important matters,
final rulings on which will have
a lasting effect, one way or an
other, on the manner OF the
Capital development.
For instance, there is the long-de-
bated question Of the proper and most
advantageous sites for the new War and
Navy Department Buildings, both OF
which will be Of great size. The Pubic
Buildings Commission has selected 1or
this purpose a large area between
Eighteenth and Twenty-thiro streets
New York and Constitution avenues,
mart of which was owned by the Gov
ernment or authorized for purchase
under the KeyeS- Elliott law. Other
oficials, however, have contended for
other sites, a Southwest area and one
north of Pennsylvania avenue and west
of Seventeenth street being among
those proposed.
Naval Hospital Site Debated.
A related problem, also in controver-
sIal stage, is the selection OF site lot
the new Naval Hospital, which Navy
Department officials have planned as an
addition to the present Naval Hospital
development, overlooking the Potomac
River north Of Lincoln Memorial. Ihe
Fine Arts Commission, however, objects
to this site, urging that the new hos
pital be erected on some location SINH
lar to that of Walter Reed Hospital, so
that a great naval medical center may
be developed. The building is to cost
$4,000, 900, but under the economy pro-
gram of President Hoover construction
is to be delayed for the time being.
Another proposed development which
may remain unsettled for protracted
period is the suggestion being studied by
the National Capital Park and Planning
Commission and the Pennsylvania Rail-
road for construction Of railroad tun-
mel under the Potomac River to replace
the present old railroad bridge, which
would cause accompanying changes in
the existing industrial and commercial
activities in the Southwest section and
contemplate development Of new rail-
road freight terminal at North Carolina
avenue and First street southeast. The
cost of the tunnel alone is estimated at
S3S ,000,0
Then there is the increasing
problem of how to provide daytime
storage for automobiles Of the thousands
of Government employees who will be
housed in the new buildings in the Fed
ersl Triangle south of Pennsylvania
avenue. Proposals again and again have
been brought forward urging provision
of parking space in the Easements OF
the new buildings for this purpose as a
means Of reducing the problem OF tra1-
fic congestion on downtown streets
There are serious objections offered
however, to devoting costly space In the
new buildings for such purpose. A
counter suggestion has been for the
building Of separate garage buildings on
q commercial basis.
Program Moves Forward.
Aside from these problems, deferred
for future decision, however, the pre-
viously authorized development program
moved forward on a grand scale during
the past year. There has been remark
able activity also on Federal programs
beyond the boundaries Of the District
III the metropolitan area.
Among the completed projects, the
Arlington Memorial Bridge, providing
a costly and graceful link spanning the
Potomac from Lincoln Memorial to the
new approach to Arlington Cemetery, Is
outstanding. Discussed for many years
before a definite proposal was agreed
upon, the magnificent structure rep
resentS a reunion Of the friendship OF
the North and the South.
Serving a major utilitarian purpose
the structure represents an investment
of $l4,750,O0 and will provide new
avenue for travel to Washington from
the South and West.
Linked with this development is the
Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
skirting the banks of Ghe Potomac from
the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the
Mount Vernon home of Washington
which has been completed except fol
grazing and landscaping OF the adjoin.
ing parkway. Expectations are that the
read will be opened TO the public before
George WaShingtons Birthday ami
versary and possibly before February l
In connection with the general plar
involving the Arlington Bridge and tht
Mount Vernon Highway is the Rocl
Greek and Potomac Parkway project, OF
which extensive progress was accom-
plished during the past year. Only
t~k Of this project remains to be con
asructed. This parkway and bouleyart
will provide virtually unbroken high
way for travel from the National Zoo
logical Park in Rock Creek Park Il
Potomac Park During the past year
the road was completed from the VI
cinity of the Lincoln Memorial to
street, and previously the stretch from