Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-04

THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE AT WORK
The executive committee Of citizens began
iss active work January Is, when il appeared
before the House District committee and urged
the passage Of the Hemphill bill There were
present Messrs c. s. Moves A T. Britton q
c. Glover. B. II. Warner, George E. Lemon and
+. A. Richardson, composing the executive
committee; II. Ross Perry, James NJ. Johnston
Z. ID. Tracy, Capt. Symons. Joseph Paul. w A
Phiiiips, jr, J. j. Edison. p. NJ. Dubant. J. J.
Darlington and others. Mr.. Warner acted as
spokesman, and in urging the bill stated that
those once opposed to the measure were then
willing to have it passed and that all sections
aud interests were united in its favor JAN
uary Y, 1889, the movement was somewhat ac-
celebrated by the announcement that tho heirs
OF John b. Clagett offered TO donate a strip 200
feet along their lands bordering on Rock creek
II the project was carried out An evidence of
the renewed interest in the measure under the
stimulus of the energetic action Of the citi-
zens committee was given also In the action OF
meeting Of citizens OF Georgetown. held
January -, 1889, asking that the southern
limits OF the proposed park be extended to
Lyons mills, if not to the 2 street bridge
january "a committee of citizens called on
the District Commissioners in the interest of tho
bill, aud one result was a proposed amendment
that the District should refund half the cost OF
the park TO the United States Treasury IN an
nual installments of not less than Sl00. 900.
The first decided result Of the work of the
executive committee was the thoughtful and
forcible report made in the House January &c
by Mr. Hemphill from the District committee,
recommending the passage of the measure in
troduccd by him on the 18th The committee
recommended an appropriation of 81. 500, 900
for the purchase of tho park. Some of the
passages of the report are interesting as
showing the considerations that finally pre-
vailed. Many who had not been deeply inter-
ested by the asthetic aspect of a beautiful rural
park had become convinced that the measure
was wise one from
THE SANITARY POINT OF VIEW.
Mr.. Hemphilrs report said: IL seems I'm
fortunate that the earlier endeavors to secure
these lands at their then trifing value did not
result in their purchase. II appears TO be uni
versally agreed that such public parks are
necessary In or near large cities. and the result
has been that practically ali cities of conse-
qnence both in Europe and in this country, and
| especially all capitals are in the enjoyment Of
| such pleasure grounds.
The foresight indicated by the founders of
this capital city in laying out broad avenues
and reservations has been already amply justi-
ned by the harmonious development of these
country.
The present condition OF the District of CO.
lumbia and its evident future admonish us that
provision should at once be made for such a
PARK as the population OF q large and prosper
| Gus capital city demands.
There are several persuasive reasons why
the pending bill should pass, and which will be
| adverted to briefly
The present owners OF the bulk Of the lands
proposed 10 be taken have held them for a
generation or more. Several fortunate results
follow rom this condition of things:
l. These owners can afford to sell the prop
erty at Its intrinsic value and without adding
the profits OF intermediate speculative pur-
chasers, but each passing year must increase
their intrinsic value
2. There having been but few sales there
| have been but few trees destroyed to make
| room for lawns and building sites and there
are practically no costly improvements to be
now paid for.
proposed park has thus far been preserved but
| its subdivision and the subdivision of portions
| OF 1t would undoubtedly result in great injury
| IN this direction. The proposed legislation ex-
pressly secures the protection of the trees and
other natural attractions in the park.
f. Rock creek drains a large section of the
country practically, and flows through the CITY
| of Washington. lfresidences should be placed
along its banks the sewerage would be emptied
| into that stream and necessarily .ndanger the
health OF this city. The consequence would be
either that this continuous risk must exist or
that this picturesque creek must be covered in
and used exclusively as a sewer
That portion OF the creek along which dwell
ing houses have already been built is now an
open sewer flowing through the city, from
which dlsagreeable and noxious odors con-
| stantly rise. greatly to the detriment of the
health OF the people along its banks and to the
injury Of property in that section; and In the
opinion OF your committee the time is near at
hand when this portion of the creek must be
covered over or some other mode of protection
adopted at a cost Of many thousand dollars
The preservation of both banks of Rock
creek, as proposed in the pending bill will at
once avoid this danger and cost and preserve
the existing beauty of large territory. Look
ing at this measure merely as practical bust
ness matter 1t seems to be wise. Such q preser-
vation OF the natural beauties Of a section SO
near the city will conduce greatly to the ply
| steal as well as the moral Improvements Of the
people.
HEARINGS AT THE CAPITOL.
Meanwhile the citizens committee was &C.
lively at work spreading the gospel of the park.
As a literary bureau it issued a pamphlet pre-
pared by Mr.. E. ID. Tracy containing all the in
formation available concerning the park pro-
ject. February II, 1889, the executive commit
tee had hearing before the District subcom-
mittee Of the House District committee. There
were present of the committee Messrs. Warner
Glover, Noyes and Lemon, who were accompa-
MED by {. NJ. Matthews, ]. NJ. Johnston Hora-
ito King, A. S. Taber, $, W. Woodward, r. Ross
Perry and Rev. w. A. Leonard. On the 18th Of
February the Senate District committee ap-
proved and substituted the Hemphil bill for
the one it had reported. which made no appro-
priation, but required the Commissioners 20 re-
port its work tc Congress. An effort was made
by Mr.. Hemphill, February %, 1889, to get the
matter through before the Flftieth Congress
expired by attaching the bill substantially as
an amendment to the ZOO" bill, which was un-
der consideration. Then the friends of the
bill sought to secure Its enactment as an
amendment to the sundry civil bill, but failed,
ttho1 81 their efforts, as stated, probably re-
suited in securing the coveted place in the
sundry civil bill for the Zoo" amendment
which, thus nestled under the wings of great
appropriation bill, went safely through.
IN THE PRESENT CONGRESS.
Promptly at the beginning Of the Fifty-frst
Congress the park bills were reintroduced
December T. 1889, both Mr.. Ingalls, and Mr..
Sherman offered bills in the Senate. Mr. In
CALLS bill limited the width of the park to 900
feet, made it begin at Massachusetts avenue
and extend all along the creek to the District
line The Commissioners of the District were
charged with negotiating for or condemning
the property and required to report their
action to Congress. No appropriation was
made. Mr.. Sherman's bill was similar tC Mr..
Hemphilrs, except that it named the Kkngle
Ford bridge as the starting point, and, instead
of making direct appropriation, provided for
pay for the park, provision being made that
one-half the sum should be refunded by the
United States to the District
CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE HOUSE.
This bill was passed by the Senate January
g. $780, When the bill went to the House Dis
trict committee it was there modified Gen.
siderably. The name Of the park was changed
To Columbus Memorial Park This vae dona