Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-09-14
Mud Pumping ProjecI
Planned 10 Raise
Sinking Hams Point

of the Interior Departments Ma
tional Capital Parks Office, said
some 100000 cubic yards of earth
will be pumped out of the Wash
ington Channel by the United
States Army Engineers who have
offered to dump it on the point.
This was revealed yesterday at
the regular meeting of the Dis
trict Recreation Board. The
board was discussing the latest
developments in its effort to get
operating control of the golf
courses under the Interior Depart
ment jurisdiction.
Mr.. Kelly said the engineers
propose to start the job, which
is essentially a dredging of the
Washington. Channel, about De-
cember /.
Dirt Also Considered.
The Interior Department is con-
sidering the matter at present but
undoubtedly will accept the offer
of the engineers to pump the mud
up on Hams Point, Mr.. Kelly
said. He pointed out that if the
mud is not accepted, the Interior
will have to arrange to haul dirt
to Hams Point anyway in a year
or so to keep it above water.
To have that much dirt hauled
would cost about 100000, he ex-
planned, figuring on about 81 a
cubic yard.
Adding to this the cost of re-
paving the roadway around the
point, which would be broken up
by heavy truck traffic, the savings
to the Interior Department if it
accepts the offer would run more
than 100000, Mr.. Kelly said.
Still to be selected is the exact
spot where the earth will be
dumped. Mr.. Kelly continued.
Probably it will be put between
the golf clubhouse and the tea
house on the point. This will
necessitate putting out of opera
ton about nine holes of the East
Potomac golf course. he added.
Hams Point has sunk about 31a
feet since 1910, when the original
fill was made, Mr.. kelly said.
Two years ago the engineers
pumped 10000 cubic yards of
earth from the Georgetown chan
mel, which helped some.
Eventually the sea wall around
the point will have to be raised
at least another 312 feet, Mr..
Kelly said.
Rains Make Lake.
Heavy rains and high tides Of
the past few days have resulted
in the lower part of Hams Point
being covered with a sheet of
water, pointing up the problem.
Concerning the golf courses, the.
board was informed, by Harry S.
Wender, chairman, that the In
terror Department is studying an,
agreement, which should be APP
proved soon. s 7 -s
Once the agreement is approved
by Interior, the way will be clear
for the Recreation. Board to go
forward with plans to take over
the golf courses. They are now
operated by S. G. -Leof1er under
a one-year contract with the In
terror Department.
The Recreation Board will have
to raise about $250,000 to buy out
Mr.. Leoffler. Attempts to get this
item in a supplemental bill failed
last month, and the board plans
now to ask for it in the next reg
ular appropriation.
Ask Concession Information.
The board took the following
actions:
Asked the Interior Department
to obtain from Government Serv-
ices, Inc, information on the OPP
Grafton Of swimming pools,
bicycling, boating and tennis con-
cesSions. The board is interested
in taking over these activities
eventually also.
Requested the Board of Educa-
ton for permission to use III
school buildings during the fall
for recreational programs. Includ-
ed among these was Cardozo High
School, formerly Central, where
the board plans to operate the
city first public inter-racial rec
reation center.
Approved the retirement of Miss
Thelma Smith, after 80 years of
service. The major part of her
duty was at the Virginia Avenue
Playground.