Evening star., 1935-06-09
Rate bv Mail-Payable In Advance.
MARYLAND and Yirsinia.
The Changes of Twelve Years.


Many changes have taken place in
Washington in the twelve years that
have elapsed since the Shriners last
held their convention here. The Cap
ital presents very different aspect
now than it did in 1923, particularly
along the line OF march that will be
followed by the various pageant pa
rades that are conspicuous feature
of these gatherings. Almost the entire
southern side OF Pennsylvania avenue
between the Capitol and the Treasury
has been transformed. With three
exceptions the structures standing in
that stretch twelve years ago have
been demolished and in their places
have risen public buildings OF monu-
mental character. The great Mall
Avenue Triangle is now fully occupied
BY the Government and with the three
exceptions noted new structures have
replaced the former ones.
On the northern side of Pennsyl-
eania avenue many OF the older build
irgs have been destroyed partly to
permit the development of combina-
ton Of plaza and arterial approach
west OF the Capitol and partly for the
contemplated Municipal Center which
has been abandoned-perhaps only
for the present-for lack Of funds.
Those who came to Washington twelve
years ago. and not meanwhile, will
hardly recognize the downtown section
in consequence of these changes. They
will see, however, the evolution Of a
great plan of Capital making.
In other parts of the city changes
will be evident to those who have
permitted a dozen years to elapse
between visits. In the area west OF
Eighteenth street and north of Con-
stitution avenue-that avenue itself
being q new feature-several struc-
lures have been added to the scene,
though the project of development in
that section remains unfinished. The
War and Navy Departments are still
housed In the so-called temporary
buildings erected in war time on the
northern flank of Potomac Park.
Plans for new homes for these
branches OF the Government are still
in abeyance pending final decision
as to their location.
On Capitol Hill there have been
notable changes. An addition to the
House Office Building has been erected
and the Senate once Building has
been completed. An annex to the
Library of Congress is under con-
struction. The Folger Shakespeare
Library has been erected and, most
conspicuous and important of all of
the recent additions to the Capital,
the new Supreme Court commands
attention. The plaza between the
Capitol and the Union Station has
been expa nded and developed into
place OF beauty.
The George Washington Memorial
Highway connecting the Capital with
Mount Vernon is one Of the most
notable Improvements accomplished
during this period, driveway unsur-
passed for historic interest and scenic
attractions. The Arlington Memorial
Bridge marks its beginning at the
base OF the Lincoln Memorial.
There are other changes to come,
planned and co-ordinated to make
Washington the most significant and
attractive. Capital City in the world.
1t is the hope Of all that by the time
the Shriners come here again for
their annual convention-and may
that time be short-these changes will
have been effected and the seat OF
Government. long laggard in its de-
velopment through lack of consistent
planning and persistent appropria-
tions. will at last have reached the
state Of dignity and completeness
which its founders envisioned.