Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-16
PARKS AND RESERVATIONS.
Interesting Points from the Annual Re-
port of Col. John Nj. Wilson.

Interesting Points from the Annual Re-
port of Col. John NJ. Wilson.
HE CALLS ATTENTION TO ILLEGAL OCCUPATION
OF PUBLIC GROUNDS BIZ RAILROADS AND PR
vATE PARTIEs-cARE AND PRESERVATION OF
THE PARKs-ACrs OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
The annual report of Col. John NJ. Wilson,
commissioner of public buildings and grounds,
states that in the green houses and nursery dur
ing the winter and spring months the progaga-
ton OF bedding plants for the PARIS was car
ried on and about 800, 900 ornamental foliage
and towering plants of forty different varieties
were grown, nearly all of which were set out in
the parks during May and June last.
OBJECT OF THE PRoPAaATINo GARDEN.
II again beg to invite attention." says Col
Wilson, ''to the fact that the object Of these
gardens appears often to be misunderstood.
They are for the purpose Of propagating trees
and plants for decorating the public parks
within the city limits. / am frequently in
receipt of requests for the loan of plants for
the use of churches, fairs. festivals, &C., and
demands are constantly made for decorative
and other plants for private purposes. In fact,
sometimes orders are presented from members
OF Congress directing me to furnish plants. cut
flowers, &c. have been obliged to decline all
requests for trees or plants under the act of
Congress approved June 20, 1S7S.'
IN THE SMITHSONIAN GROUNDS
several new roads were constructed both gravel
and asphalt, and the lawns kept in order.
Thirteen partly-decayed and worthless trees
were removed from the section between the
museums.
DEPREDATIoNs IN THE PARKS.
The parks are reported to be in good order.
Tho. onID al o~lr, Az IL IL
spect the park rules and avoid vandalism. A
few however, from thoughtlessness occasio n
ally break flowers. while others raid the flower
beds and carry off plants, bulbs and blooms.
Occasionally parties are arrested for
violations of park rules. but the pun
ishment inflicted, if any, is generally so
slight that those who Intentionally violate the
law are willing to take the chances of being
caught. Thoughtless boys frequently destroy
the trees by climbing them and breaking
branches, while others, apparently maliciously,
break the fountains and injure the fountain
basins.
Another class who give much trouble are
those who insist upon taking cross cuts over
the lawns, destroying the turf and making tres
pass paths These are indignant when eau
toned to keep the roads, claiming that the
grounds belong to the public, and forgetting
that as portion of the public it should be their
duty to aid in maintaining rather than in
marring the beauty of our parks
Mentioning the reservations east Of the Capt.
toi he says: But little satisfaction is derived
in attempting to beautify the parks in this
section with early spring bulbs, as SO many Of
the flowers are stolen just when they are in
their prime"
GARFIELD PARK.
The original estimate of the cost of the i'm
provement of Garfield park was s135,OOO. 1t
will require S25. 900 more, of which $4,000 can
be pro6tably expended during the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1891.
OCCUPATION OF RESERVATIONS BY RAILROADS
The report invites attention to the occupa-
ton of reservation No. 101 and other public
spaces by the two railroad companies and he
earnestly recommends that Congress take such
further action may be required to hereafter
protect the property of the United States from
being occupied by the railroad companies with
out authority of law.
An appropriation of $500 is recommended
for removing snow and ice from the park paths
and the walks in front of public buildings dur
ing the coming fiscal year.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS IN THE WHITE LOT.
Attention is invited to the fact that the ap-
preparation made for last year for the purpose
of establishing electric lights in the White lot
was insufficient, failing in the allowance for
maintaining the lamps by S7o6. so on the basis
of submitted bid. The report earnestly
recOIlfnenus, IN the interest OF morality ana or
the welfare of those who must pass through
this section after dark, that it remain unlighted
no longer.
ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.
The draughtsman in the Office has been en-
gagged this year in searching the old records
for evidence in the Potomac flats case" and
in report Of his Investigations states that he
can find no satisfactory evidence to show or
prove that the United States has ever sold, re-
ceived payment or granted deeds in fee for
twenty entire squares and 2, 00l lots in different
parts of the city. Col Wilson asks that Con-
gress authorize the employment OF clerk to
aid IN these important researches.
THE CASE OF MRS. COLE.
Col. Wilson reviews the history of the litiga-
ton that arose between the Commissioners and
Mrs. Cole for possession Of a part of a reserva-
ton on Thomas circle, on which she erected an
addition to her house, and adds that he hopes
the question of jurisdiction over these points
Is forever settled.
ESTIMATES FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
Col. Wilson's estimates for the year ending
June 80, 1891, are: Salaries of employees,
$50, 1850; improvement and care ofpubic grounds,
Sl02, 500; care of Executive Mansion. repairs
and fuel, S3S,OO0; lighting Executive Mansion
and public grounds, S15,7SS.50 repairs to
water pipes, S2,500; departmental telegraph
lines, SlO,0O0 total. 22164S5 so. For the
Washington monument $1,000 additional is
asked
He asks for an increase in the salary of Pub
lie Gardener Brown to 81 900; also for $4,000 to
improve the Armory and Seaton parks, which
are crossed by the Baltimore and Potomac
railroad. A mound. he says, has been con-
structed around the depot. to be planted with
trees and shrubs, so that in time the depot
will be partially hid from view. The sum of
$4,000 is requested for the purpose of obtain
ing portrait of ex-President Cleveland For
replacing the overhead wires between the capt.
toll and the. departments with II duplicate
underground 6-wire cable $500 is re quested
DEATH OF NORRIS PETERS.
Taken Ill While Eating His Dinner Yes