Evening star., 1934-02-04

-HE waterfront improvement pro.
gram now pending before the
House Rivers and Harbors
i Committee is intended not only
to convert into beauty spot
one Of the worst eye-sores in the Ma
tional Capital, but also to provide ade-
ouate facilities for needs OF commerce
and to remove sources of actual
danger.
The proposed construction program
would be spread over a period OF eight
years and would cost 81 900. If the
plans of the Office of the Army engi-
neer for the local district are carried
out.
The necessity for cleaning up and
improving washington's waterfront
long has been realized. Conditions
there have been source OF complaint
BY many local business and civic or
ganizations and the area for many
years has reflected adversely upon the
National Capital.
Facilities Inadequate.
In his discussion OF the need for
the proposed program. Maj j. D.
Arthur jr.. Army engineer for the
local district, said:
The desirability of an improvement
of present conditions along the Wash
ington Channel waterfront is generally
recognized. Present facilities are
totally inadequate for the needs OF
commerce, and the decay, dirty. and IN
certain instances dangerous, structures
now located there are not in keeping
with the comprehensive plan for the
development of the National Capital"
The plan presented by his Office for
the improvement Of the waterfront,
Mai. Arthur said, will correct this con-
dition and will provide adequate and
more slightly facilities for existing COM
merce, including yachting.
AN analysis of commercial TRENDS" ;"
he explained, indicates that future
commerce on this waterway will prob
ably change little in character and Will
increase in volume only with an in
crease in population, and terminal
facilities for this present commerce
only now are justified. Rail connec-
ton to handle this commerce has been
found unnecessary and Is not pro-
vided."
Harbor lines in Washington Chan
mel, Mai. Arthur reported, were modi-
fed. under the date Of July 23, 1881,
by the Secretary of War, to conform
to the plan of the report submitted by
the Army engineer and there Is no
further necessity for action In this
regard
Although the projected depth in the
main Potomac River channel was set
at "a feet, only 20-foot depth is now
authorized in Washington Channel.
This depth should be increased to "a
feet. In the opinion of Maj. Arthur.
ITO permit of the utilization OF
the proposed terminal facilities by all
vessels that can navigate the main
Potomac River" he explained. the
project for Potomac River at Wash
ington should be modified to provide
a depth of "a feet In the channel
leading to and within the Washington
Channel"
The Army engineers plans call for
q yacht harbor in four sections on
the upstream half Of the frontage OF
the waterfront above the War COL
lege grounds. with berthing space for
286 boats On the downstream half
the harbor master wharf Is to be COM
pleted for the joint use of the harbor
police and the Harbor Fire Depart
ment station. A new workhouse pier
is to be built unless it IS decided by
the District authorities to build it on
the Anacostia River.
Three New Pisfs Planned.
Three new piers are to be con-
structed for commercial use; for the
Norfolk & Washington boat lines, Tor
local excursion boats and for mis-
cellaneous service.
"These PIERS" it was stated. will
provide facilities for all present water
front uses"
The plans provide space for eventual
widening of Water street to 160 feet.
and for a future park bridge at the
head of the channel. Estimates Of
cost for the street and bridge, how
ever. were not included in the ST.