Evening star., 1934-02-02
Waterfront Improvement.

Waterfront Improvement.
There is hope that the long deferred
Improvement of the waterfront. along
IN Southwest Washington, may begin.
The House Rivers and Harbors Com
mittee has received and studied the
Army engineers latest review of re-
ports and recommendations previously
submitted. and is understood to be
fsvorably inclined to some immediate
action. In executive session the CON-
nittee is expected soon to decide the
division of costs between the United
States and the District of Columbia
As the cost of the entire project con-
templated at this time is not great,
the proposal being to spread the con-
struction over an eight-year period
With annual appropriations of $780,
600. there is no good reason why an
early start should not be made.
The Army Engineers are divided on
the proposition Of sharing the cost
only in the extent to which it should
be shared. The United States Engi-
neer for this district, Maj. J. D.
Arthur, jr., who has made the most
thorough and detailed study Of the
project, argues that as title to the
entire waterfront rests in the United
States. ut seems proper that it should
Improve its own property" He pro-
poses, however, that the District of Co.
lumbia should pay the cost of the con-
struction devoted exclusively to Dis
6ict of Columbia activities, which is
estimated at S389,OOO. This cost is
somewhat greater than would be the
ease were the structures designed
~only for utility, but the difference
appears to be a reasonable contribu-
aon on the part of the municipality
for the use Of property belonging to
the United States Government"
Maj. Arthur points out that the
whole plan for Improvement is de-
signed as part of the National Capital
bea utification program, in which other
agencies than the local municipality
ere directly interested His report is
Col. T. H. Jackson.
Col. E. H. Schulz senior member
1 the Board of Engineers for Rivers
end Harbors. agrees generally with
Maj. Arthur's recommendations, but
proposes that the total estimated cost
Of 1850, 900 should be divided equally
between the District of Columbia and
the United States, But while Mai.
Arthur would vest Jurisdiction of the
waterfront in port or harbor board.
returning all rentals to the United
States except those from the wharves
and other facilities constructed with
local funds. Col. Schulz believes juris-
diction-ana presumably the enjoy
Ment Of returns from investments
should be with the District of Colum-
bia. "In view of the interest of the
Federal Government in matters re-
Ating to the identification of the Ma
tional Capital, the board is of the
opinion shat Federal participation to
the extent of contributing one-half
the original cost of the improve
ment would be justified" Col. Schulz
writes. But maintenance and ad-
ministration. after completion, would
Be under the Commissioners. The
Chief Of Engineers agrees with the
Board Of Engineers, but would leave
ta1e division of expenses to Congress
where, Of course, 1t will be decided
anyway.
As the engineers point out, the
Identification and commercial de-
velopment of the waterfront was
feature Of the Mcmillan report of
1o0l, and has been considered a part
q the National Capital park develop
nnent long urged by Washington and
Capital engineers. present facili-
kes," Maj Arthur reports. "are totally
Inadequate for the needs of COM
merce: and the decayed, dirty and
ln certain instances dangerous struc-
tsares now located there are not in
keeping with the comprehensive plan
for the development of the National
Capital"