The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-04
THE DAILY EVENING TElEGRAPH-PH -PHILADELPHIA FRIDAY

10 their charge could not be performed. However
wisely they might plan, II Councils, to whom that
power was reserved, refused the necessary appro-
priations, their schemes would come to naught
From the beginning, therefore. while not avoiding
any duties imposed on them, nor surrendering any
rights they possessed, they have striven TO make
their acts acceptable, That they have done 80 is
s9owR STta IN this that AL they have asked has been
with open hand and in full measure. II
is true they have asked only for what
to the acquisition of land (and as to these, when
once ascertained according TO law, they had dis
cretion), they have kept their acquisitions within
the narrowest bounds that gradual and moderate
development Of the Park would justify. They have
sought % no %stsrtng escts; . they have apProy,sd
steadily, and as they hope, successfully they have
fulfilled their trust; and in rendering this account
bly, expect that Councils and that larger commu-
nifty which they and Councils alike represent,
and to which they and Councils are alike amena-
BILE, will join with them in congratulations on the
result of their efforts.
BY order Of the Commissioners,
MORTON MoMICHARL, President.
The Chief Engineers Report.
The report of the Chief Engineer, Mr.. John G.
Cresson which accompanies the report of the presi-
the work accomplished in opening walks and
drives, and in the preparation of plans and surveys
Shcb viii show S be posOn s nO of
tree, rock or stream in the Park, and the exact
shape of the entire surface. Mr.. Creeson explains
that the present road to Georges Hill was opened
for temporary use only, so that IL was deemed mad
vsable to go to the great expense of making 1t more
than wide enough to be used with safety The road,
three and half miles in length, with an average
width of thirty feet, and four miles of footwalk,
generally eight feet wide, were completed within
nine weeks of their commencement. From time to
time the drive has been greatly improved. An ex-
tension or branch road, two miles in length, has
been opened from Georges Hill to Belmont Cot
tage, and back to the Landsdowne drive, which
Will afford views as beautiful as those already made
feet wide, has also been laid out for a mile and a
quarter on the southwest boundary of'the Park. A
temporary road has also been built from the point
at which Thirty-ffth street. in West Philadelphia,
touches the Park to Girard avenue, avoiding
the railway tracks. On the west bank of the river
the aggregate extent of carriage roads made is
nearly seven miles, and about four miles of fOotway
in addition.
On the east side comparatively little apparent
work has been done, the most important improve
ment being the opening of new roadway from
the old park to Girard avenue bridge. This will be
n vast satisfaction to the driving public. Between
Thirty third street and the river there are still
some tracts of which the Park has not got posses
son and no particular work can be done till these
difficulties are settled. A tract of eighteen
has been set apart as nursery, and about so, 900
Norway spruce seedlings are now growing there.
green house for propagating plsnts is also built
and in use. A number Of the buildings which have
come into the possession of the Park, including the
Rialto House, the old Peters mansion and others
of less note, have been arranged a offices and
quarters for the officers and their assistants
Railroad sidings have been constructed for the
reception of furnace cnder to be used in surfacng
roads. A stone-breaking machine, driven by a
steam engine, is established at the Belmont stone
quarry, breaking the road material obtained at
that place. The steam road roller, weighing twenty
tons, imported from England, has been put at work
on such of the new drives prepared for its
use, with excellent effect in maintaining hard
and even surface.
steam dredger, built under the orders of the
Board, is working upon the silt bars along the
river shore, improving the condition of the pool
and furnishing material for embankments at much
less cost than it can be obtained by any other
cess.
The foregoing statement embraces the principal
mechanical works carried on during the year, omit
ting only a few of less conspicuous character.
The amount of drainage effected is also detailed
by Mr.. Cresson; and descriptions are given at
length of the various surveys made with view of
locating new roads and means of entrance. To Mr..
John ID. Estabrook, Mr.. Samuel l.. Smedley and
Mr. Herman Schwarzman great credit is awarded
for the zeal and ability with which the work en-
trusted to them was accomplished. The head gar
dener employed in June last has had active charge
ing away underground, fixing the lawns and pre-
pairing systematic catalogue of all trees and other
plants found growing within the Park limits. He
has already catalogued 321 genera and 655 species.
persons visited Landsdowne Park, passing through
the entrance at Girard avenue bridge. This
number is exclusive of those entering on the
day of the public school festival aggregatng about
80, 900 more.
Receipts and Expenditures.
Appended to the Chief Engineers report, ad-
dressed to the President of the commission, is
the following exhibit of receipts and expendi-
tures:-
REcEIPTs-1S69.
l. hehts. .................... "a, 1873
License ices. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 5S0OO
Sale of old materials. als............. !, ,3979S
Paid to the City Treasurer, to be
credited to the Fund for Park
purposes OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 10, IIS III
2. For sale of buildings paid to the