Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-06-12
me Capitol arsunds.
PLANS For THEIR BELAReRMsaf AND
RRNXEnYNT-

PRovKNENf.
The committees on public buildings and
grounds of the Senate and House held joint
meeting at the Capitol tnis morning, for the
purpose Of deciding upon the plans for the en-
largement and improvement of the Capitol
grounds, the law requiring that the plans shall
be approved by the two committees before the
work is commenced. Mr.. Edward Clark, the
architect Of The Capitol, had all the plans pre-.
pared, and this morning submitted them TO the
ctmmittees for approval. After making
thorough inspection OF them the committees APP
proved the plans and ordered that the work be
commenced immediately. The boundaries OF
the new grounds win be on the east by LIST street
on the north and south by b streets north and
south ioinipg the latter streets with Pennsyiva-
n and Maryland avenues by means of a semi
circle. This CELEBRATES A street north and
south, and compeis the Washington and George
town and the Metropolitan railroad companies
to remove their cracks from the present location
and allows them TO relay them around the new
grounds and along street north and ist street
east inste ad OF running Immediately In front OF
the Capitol, as at present.
THB APPROACHES TO THE CAPITOL.
In july. lsI0, Congress, by JOINT resolution,
authorized the mayor of washington. together
to establish the grades around the Capitol with
view to making the ascent to the building
gradual and Convenient, and q plan was pre-
pared by the gentlemen above named, which
contemplates the cutting down OF the east Capt.
toll park from the building, in o. der to destroy
the apex which now exists about LIST street east
filling Of New Jersey ana Delaware avenues.
North Capitol and other streets north Of the
Capitol, and obliteratipg the hollow now exist
Ing at the Baltimore depot and along the lneor
that company to raise its track so that il
will not interfere with the approaches to
the CAPITOL as it is contemplated to have been
. straight line from the Capitol to ID street
north. The plan further contemplates the cut
ting and filing of New Jersey avenue south of
the Capitol, In order to get the kinks ont of it.
Inns plan was approved by the committee to-
day, and in accordance Herewith the east Capi-
toll park viii be cut down as recommended, 80
that the drainage, instead OF being upon the
wards LIST street east. Along Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. north and other sire cts; the cut win be
continued and run out to the present line of
grade about I'd street east. In cutting down the
east Capitol park many Of the trees will
be taken out of it, especially those of rough
appearance and rapid growth. Valuable
trees will be lowered with the park.
The committee also recommended the gradual
abolition Of the cotton poplar, sycamore, and
other coarse trees now in the western park
which grieyously interfere with the growth of
the more valuable trees there, as the object of
trees in that park is merely to obscure the ter
races On the west front. When the poplars and
sycamores were planted there years ago, it was
on account Of their quick growth, and it was
intended then that they should only remain
until the more valuable trees and those of slower
growth should be advanced 1t is the desire TO
smaller trees, something on the plan of Iafay-
cite square, and to do this the larger and coarser
trees are TO be gradually removed.
ADDITIONS TO THE GROUNDS.
congress having appropriated 100000 to pur-
chase the squares between A and streets north
and south OF the east park circulars have already
property holders in those squares offering them
the price determined upol by the commission
OF leG0 The holders viii not accept this price,
tne property having enhanced in value con-
siderably since then it is claimed. Under the
law the Secretary has the power to apply to the
courts Immediately to appoint appraisers to
ascertain the value OF the property. The as
sessed value of the square is about 500 900. and
a further appropriation of one or two hundred
thousand dollars viii probably be required to
make ALI the payments. The opinion pre-
but that is not the case, altho lgh that sum is ali
that can be expended during the approaching
hscai year; Those who are willing to bargain
now with the Secretary can receive cash pay-
ments Tor III property out OF the appropria-
ton above named, but others who want a larger
price will OF course have to submit to arbitra.
money Tor year.
THE WORK ON THE WESTERN EXTENSION
VIII be commenced immediately, by removing
the iron railing from its present location ont
to streets north and south, and thence i'm a
semi-eircle TO Maryland and Virginia avenues.
lt is hoped that bargains will be made with the
property holders OF the two squares to be taken
in by the LIST Of August. The buildings on those
squares will then be advertised for sale at pnhIic
aucl0f, anu the material win be no doubt
rapidly taken by those contemplating building.
As to the fence around ---
THE EASTERN EXTENSION
nothing definite has yet been determined upon
several members of the committee fayoripJ the
abolition OF any Enclosure beyond stone copiuy
This coping, however, VT be so constrncted
that an iron railing can be put upon it Ii decided
upon. 80
THE PAYMENTS
around the extension will be concrete al
stone. On account OF the steep ascent ii wa
thought that concrete pavements might be too
smooth In winter when covered with snow AMI
ice. The architect was therefore Instructed 70
pave that half of the street between the rail-
road track and pavement with concrete. and
the other half between the railroad track and
outer curb with Belgian blocks, in order TO af-
ford footing for horses in winter.
IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING
there will be broad avenue, covered with
gravel, but the track will not 90
through the grounds as now. The plan adopted
to-day to replace the larger trees with shruherv
and plants it Is thought will give more artistic
appearance TO the grounds, and not obstruct the
view Of the buildings especially from the west.
now. ''
1t VIII probably be year or two before the
work Is all finished, but Mr.. Clark Is Determined
to push 1t forward az rapidly as possible