Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-01-02
Postwar
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costing $2,647, 14204, or $2071 per square
foot, as compared with the $0183 per
square foot for the unimproved land.
A special problem exists in the relo-
cation of certain schools, in some cases
the replacement of one or two old
schools by a single modern schoolhouse
to serve changed community. Be-
cause Of the definite and substantial
savings possible by uniting playground
with school and using the facilities of
the school building, like dressing rooms,
shower baths, toilet facilities, ETC., for
the playground, the school problem
must be closely integrated with the
playground problem. While this has
been done in recent years with the con-
struction of new schools, new play
grounds and new recreation centers, it
is most important that the idea be car
ried on in connection with new schools
in the built-up parts of the city, where
land is so expensive and every improve
ment torn down means that much less
living capacity for the city.
A word seems necessary in regard to
the larger parks.
Let me call your attention to the gorge
of the Potomac from Great Falls to
Chain Bridge, in which there is a bit of
mountain scenery with all of its special
scientific and historical interests, spe-
cial recreational facilities and inspira-
tional values, which has not only been
appraised by many good authorities as
of great importance. but has recently
been stated to be next to Niagara Falls
In the East by Our recognized foremost
authority in such matters. 1t seems
likely that a decision may have to be
made in the near future between the
preservation of this asset, which no
other large city has Immediately at
hand, and the economical value of de-
veloping the water power that is now
not used and perhaps is not yet needed.
In this connection it should be pointed
out that heretofore the recreational,
historical, geological, horticultural and
other special values of this gorge have
not been conveniently available to the
public because of private ownership, but
now that such good progress has been
made in acquiring the most essential
land for the George Washington Me-
mortal Parkway, it should become &C.
cessible to the public without too much
delay.
Cannot Wall Traffic in.
have already called attention to the
fact that traffic cannot be walled in any
more than river. The same is true of
the development Of the city, since this
will burst through any rigid barriers
that may be established. But to induce
it to develop as it should, to prevent one
enterprising person from doing harm to
his neighbors by use of his land, which
they never expected and is inconsistent
with their use of their land, coming has
been developed and, like all new ideas,
has been through a. number of years of
contention in the courts. 1t is now a
well-established practice throughout the
country Washington had coming law
among the first and the Zoning Com
mission has applied its authority with
the discretion and consideration for pri-
vate ownership. I am sure everybody
must concur that i'm general the effect
on this city has been good and that
many bad and injurious developments
have been prevented.
AS far back as 1888 the Planning Com
mission recommended changes in the
coming regulations and in the Zoning
Act, If need be, to include this question
of density of population. This recon-
mendation seems to merit earnest con-
sideration at this time, when the oppor-
tunity seems to be before us to remove
slum conditions that already exist and
when it is evident to us that the cost
OF such slum clearance and of redevelop-
ment OF blighted areas is due to our
having allowed the unfavorable condi-
tons to arise and exist. In other words.
when you talk today about the cost of
slum clearance and urban redevelop-
ment, it is necessary to keep wildly in
mind that the mistakes of the past are
what you are paying for and that the
cost Is the cost of having lacked fore
sight and permitted things to grow
without adequate planning and guild
ance.