Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-23
Extension Of the CITY Limits.

10 the Editor OF IHE EVENING STAR:
With the contemplated extension of the CITY to
the District line must come provision for parks
II beauty, comfort and health are to be cOnsid-
cred as necessary to the future welfare of the
people who will occupy this area, as did the
Father OF his Country and the eminent engineer
who formed the original plan.
North of Iowa Circle distance of nearly a
mile there are no parks for this already densely
populated district. As Congress has recently
taken the initial step with view to the extern
sion by an appropriation for Typographical sur
vey it would seem eminently proper that the
subject of providing liberal number of parks
1Or the future growth of the capital shOuldrec
the just and careful consideration that it's great
Importance demands. To overcome the obstruc-
ton which the beautiful chain of hills bounding
the present limits to the north and northwest
seem at first view to present to the further pro-
gress in that direction no leveling process will
be necessary. To deface natures monument of
glory to the nations capital by cutting away
these hills to the proper grade for such plan
would out vandaliZe the chief of vandals Let
the hills remain. They offer no obstruction:
but on the contrary afford an opportunity of
making Washington one of the most attractive
cities in the world. Let the southern slope of
these hills, facing the city, be parked from Rock
Creek to 18th street or beyond. Through this
belt of parking winding roadways of easy grade
may be made to connect the upper with the
lower city: On the summit, following the line
OF the parks. grand avenue should be placed,
magnificent panorama of our capital mon
ument, public buildings and the pictu-
rescue surroundings of city and harbor
will be presented. Beside the permanent pres
ervation OF this unparalleled view, the supposed
obstruction to the growth of the city is over
come, and the beautiful hills remain affording
the necessary amount of parking for popula-
ton at least one mile in extent to the north and
south. A long, grand avenue, a delightful
drive and promenade will be provided fol, where
will noO fIn
offered to catch the breeze and inspiration which
a full view Of the capital city Of the great re-
public and its environment gives. Visiting SOW
ereigns OF republics and foreign subjects of
princes will bestow the full need Of praise on
such happy provision for the general welfare
Wa hington has no public drive within its limits
worthy of note. Boundary street, at the foot of
the hills, shut off from every breath of air of the
prevailing winds Of summer; with no view of
the city or harbOr, and little attraction, archi-
longer to lay chief claim as ''the drive" of the
most promising capital city of the world
Inc reasons for the proposed plan are not all
@sthetical. There are practical and economical
ones TO advance 1t will be cheaper to purchase
at present prices the southern slope of these
hills park them and lay out the proposed ex-
tension of the streets from Grand avenue north
west on the present level than it will to cut
t t4hrougn them and pay the personal damages
that will be claimed, to say nothing of the nm
slightly presentation for at least fifty wears to
come OF the most ragged edge of nature. only to
De succeeded by the most ragged edge of art
an endless sea of red brick with rear presenta-
ton OF the north side of square after SQUARE
stacked up In unartstic sameness like the
canned stuff at the grocery, while from every
back window will float, in full view of the CAM.
toll and the city below, not the Star Spanried
Banner, but ten thousand flags or RAGS of indi-
viduality. ~ ~
Representatives of the INTERPRETATIONS of
Washington. which of these pictures will Won
hang upon the walls Of the nations capital a. q
memorial to future generations of YOUR good
taste and economy? Shall it be the beau of
nature and art combined in chain of marks
running through the center of the LOWEST capi.
tai of the future, framed in by the upper and
lower city, with reservations at intervals along
the heights for grand array of public build
ings. which the rapid growth Of the country
edged views, purchased at enormous expense of
the grabbers from time to time? MS.
The OLD AND THE NEW BETHEL-The old
Union Bethel church edifce, Rev. J. w. Steven
son pastor has been demolished preparatory to
the erection of larger and more cOmmOdiOus
church ediice, which will cost about $35, co.,
The I" Bethel" was one of the oldest colored
churches in the District, and had membership
of over one thousand. The building proving
too small for them some time ago. they pre-
pared to erect much larger church. The plans
Tor the new church having been prepared by
Mr.. S. 7. G. Morsell the old church has been
torn down, and the erection of the new struc-
ture-which will be an exceedingly fine one.
capable Of seating over 1000 peOple-wiu be
commenced at once.
The London Society for the Prevention Of