Evening star., 1933-03-17
FURTHER CAPITAL
bEAUT|F|CAT|0N
IN JOINT PROGRAM
Arts Commission and Plan.
ming Body Also Plan Roose-
welt Isle Landscaping.
COLONIAL HOUSES
WOULD BE RESTORED
Groups Inspect New House Office
Building as Guests of Allied
Architects, Inc.

Further Identification OF downtown
Washington, the proper landscaping Of
Theodore Roosevelt Island and restora-
tion of number Of old Colonial houses
in Georgetown, were on the joint pro-
gram Of the Fine Arts Commission and
the National Capital Park and Planning
Commission today.
The two governmental groups that
pass on future developments here in
spected the new House ONCE Build
Architects, Inc. Later members Of the
two commissions were guests Of the
architects at luncheon.
The commissions were holding joint
session this afternoon to consider
number of matters affecting develop
ment Of the Capital. Foremost among
these were:
The question OF the utility bridge
across B street south to link the new
Agriculture Department buildings: erec-
ton OF the statue to the Revolutionary
War hero, Gen. Artemus Ward, in
proposed circle at Massachusetts, and
Nebraska avenues, near American Uni
versity; landscape plan for the Samuel
GomperS Memorial to be erected by the
American Federation of Labor at Tenth
street and Massachusetts, avenue;
further plans for the American Pharma-
ceutical Association Building. now under
construction at Twenty-third street and
Constitution avenue, and landscaping for
Theodore Roosevelt Island. for which
plans have been prepared by Henry v.
Hubbard. member Of the Planning
Commission.
The two groups also will give atten-
tion to restoration of some Of the old
Colonial homes in Georgetown as is
advocated by local architects.
Treatment Is Discussed.
The Fine Arts Commission, at a
morning session, discussed the architec-
tural landscape treatment to be given
the Great Plaza in the public buildings
development in the triangle. Plans for
this were submitted by E. H. Bennett
of the Chicago firm that is studying
this problem. No decision was an
nounced.
Tomorrow the Fine Arts Commission
will inspect the statutes in Statutary Hall
at the Capitol. in compliance with a
recent Injunction of Congress. Engi-
neers have suggested that this be done,
because Of the weight Of the statues on
the floor. and the Congress has con-
sidered the advisability of removing
them.
Discussing the recent report Of the
Public Health Service on pollution Of
the Potomac River, the Planning Com
mission yesterday prepared to warn the
District Commissioners that nuisance
problem will likely arise here in the near
future The Public Health Service re-
port said there is no public health prob
lem involved at present, but hoisted the
danger signals over what is coming.
with an increase in population in the
metropolitan area.
The commission was advised by Public
Health Service authorities that at pres
ent pollution of the Potomac River
does not endanger the shellf1sh down.
stream of the National Capital and
that no water supply>is taken from the
river below the city.
Condition Objectionable.
The condition presented by the Ana
costa River is Objectionable, the COM
mission found, for that stream is being
polluted by adjacent Maryland COM
munities. The banks of the Anacostia
River, within the District are now
being improved as recreational area.
as the United States Engineers Office
is creating Anacostia Park along the
flats. Polluted river water will not be
conducive to proper recreational activ-
tiles, such as boating. because of the
danger Of persons catching typhoid, If
the water becomes increasingly polluted,
commission officials said. The commits
sion made no specific recommendations
on constructing sewage disposal plants,
here or in nearby Maryland or Virginia
but wished to ecquaint the municipal
authorities with the growing problem.
E. A. Schmitt, engineer in the United
States Engineer Office, who is chair
man of the Co-ordinating Committee,
reported to the commission on advance
planning Of public works In the Dis
trict. The staff of the commission. as
result Of this report. will consolidate
graphically all the activities of various
agencies for future development, in one
map, SO that officials may be able to
visualize the problem more easily.
Irving c. Root, engineer of the Mary
land-National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission, presented a number
of maps, showing where his organiza-
ton has purchased ground, with the aid
of Federal money, in the nearby Mary
land valleys-Rock Creek and Sligo.
Maj. D. H. Gillette, engineer of the
Federal commission, and Thomas S.
Settle, secretary, reported to their par
ent body that they had inspected the
Federal accounts of the Maryland or
ganization, to which moneys have been
advanced under the Capper-Cramton
park-puruchase act, and found them
in excellent shape.