Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-25

POSED AND DISCUSSED.
The Rock Creek park bill occupied the At
tention Of the House yesterday until 5 O'Clock
and then went over through the efforts of Mr..
spinola Of New York and a few others who
opposed if. Gen. spinola, in the course Of his
speech against the bill, said:
The gentlemen who own this land are
shrswd, cunning real estate operators, the
greater part Of them, and do not blame them
for their activity in this matter. II they can
get the United States to purchase and ornament
this park for their benefit they are simply
doing what 1. perhaps. if were in the same
position, might do. But am not here for any
such purpose that i am here to protect the
treasury OF the country against just such 10
vasions - this bill proposes. l am here to try
to save, il possible. to posterity some small
portion of the surplus which has been in the
treasury during the last few years"
There are great many peculiar rumors
adoat in regard to our Senator'S" remarked the
speaker. They are all honorable men. adj
init; nevertheless they are human. ii rumors
can be believed. and their humanity is like that
which We find II most other men. They are
fond OF finding the tender spots upon the sur
face of the earth where they can invest their
surplus capital, and the amount invested in
this city. If rumor can be relied on, will run up
into millions"
While Gen. Spinola had the floor the follow
ing coiioquy took place:
Mr.. Atkinson (Pa. The gentleman from
New York says this is for the benefit Of the add
joining owners. Does the gentleman not know
every newspaper today OF this city favors the
taking OF this land for this park; that the pop
Mar sentiment fsvors the establishment of this
park?
Mr.. Spinola- Undoubtedly the newspapers
are In favor OF it; certainly they are; they ex-
Pect TO get ''some of the pork" themselves.
Mr.. Atkinson PA. Are they adjoining
owners?
Mr.. spinola-The hog has got to be cut up,
and the two or three newspapers here expect
10 get piece.
r Mr.. Atkinson pa. Have you any authority
for that statement?
Mr.. Spinola No. sir; only my own opinion
Mr.. Atkinson PA. And is that based upon
any knowledge of the facts?
Mr.. Spinola-It is based upon common sense
Mr.. Atkinson pa. That is a poor kind of
common sense.
Mr.. Spinola-That is my common sense. 1t
has never failed up 90 this time. anyhow.
THE SANITARY VIEW OF II.
Mr.. Atkinson then followed in favor Of the
bill He referred TO the sanitary side OF the
question and explained how the establishment
OF such a park would benefit Georgetown and
Washington in this line. A. to the question OF
the surplus being wiped out he said that by the
appropriation of $500. 900 gentlemen need not
lei their solicitude keen chem awake at night
Only ore appropriation bill had been passed by
this Congress so far. Mr.. Atkinson then refer
red 10 the claim that Washington was over
supplied with parks. He denied this and
mentioned the 10000 acres of parks in and
about Paris. Further he said:
''Ali tie other great cities of this continent
have great parks. The city of Philadelphia
has the great Paramount park. containing 2 $40
acres. The city Of ST. Louis has 2 100 acres of
parks: the city of Chicago has 1900 acres; the
city OF San Francisco has L. 100 acres the cities
Of New York and Brooklyn have l,6OO acres
and the parks of London, England, including
the commons are said 10 contain $4,000 acres
o. land.
Nov. in comparison with the park facilities
Of these other cities. 1 hold, sir. that Washing
ton Is but lily supplied with parks. and for that
reason. II for no other should now make
this appropriation in order to secure Rock
Greek park. / shall not enlarge upon It's
beauties; other gentlemen may do that if they
choose. but that it is the most desirable loca-
non for park to be found anywhere is con-
eeded alike BY the friends aud enemies of this
bill
THE ANCESTRAL HOMES"
Mr.. Stockdale of Mississippi made an appeal
for the preservation of the old ancestral do
mains on Rock creek, which plea Mr. Moore of
New Hampshire answered. Mr. Moore re-
marked: Our friend from Mississippi has plain
lively alluded to the ancestral homes that will
be desecrated by the purchase OF this park and
ITS condemnation by the government Sir.
took pains the other day TO 20 out and look
over the ground contemplated for this park and
10 view the ancestral homes there. / found
Just one Ii was Los cabin. or the ne Xt thing
10 IT. and Its residents were two old colored
people. so fa- as / know they are the only
residents in that portion of Rock creek that
will De incorporated in this park if il is pur-
chssed by the United States That is the an
cestrsl home that You and l are asked here this
afternoon TO preserve and shield from the des-
lssars lie 81 g -
afraid of that ancestral home. But look to
see in coming years a home for the people of
this city IN this Columbus Iark-a place like
Paramount park in Philadelphia. Lincoln park
In Chicago, that glorious old common in Bos-
ton Mass, and that Central park in New
iork-where the people of this entire country
will find comfort and joy in this outrageous
retreat"
Mr.. Blount attacked the bill from financial
standpoint. He said there was no telling where
the cost OF such an affair would stop. He then
spoke Of the many parks in Washington and
especially referred to the Soldiers Home and
the 400 acres OF land which would be made into
asplendid park along the river front.
AN ECONOMICAL MEASURE.
Mr.. Hooker followed in an earnest appeal for
the passage of the bill He referred TO the
many efforts made in this direction and to the
vast sums spent in other cities for such pur-
poses This land should be purchased at once.
he thought, from motives OF economy
Mr.. Payson followed in an economic arpu-
ment to show that the city and country could
hot AFFORD such an extravaganza as this bill
proposed. The city of Washington he
claimed was especially happy in the number
OF parks which II possessed. The whole
scheme. he held, was a speculative one
MR. KERR's REMARKS.
Mr.. Kerr OF Iowa followed. He said: This
city Of Washington is growing to be a very ex-
pensive necessity to the people OF the Unite d
States. We are beginning to think out west
that II the people here want breathing places
they should provide them by taxing themselves.
just as Chicago, ST. Louis and other places
have done. We are voting large sums OF money
for expenditures IN this capital. At the last
session We voted t6, 000, 600 for public build
ing here, and other Necessary public buildings
are being provided for az this session. People
from other parts or the country who come here
are thinking II is about time that the people of
Washington If they want these expensive lux
uries matters which are not necessary for the
support OF the goyernmens-should pay for
them themselves"
Does not the gentleman" asked Mr.. Heard.
understand the fact that the people OF this
District II they were willing to pay the entire
expense OF this or any similar project which
they might think desirable for the interests of
their city, are nevertheless utterly poyerless to
do so unless express authority be given by
Congress! la other words while Congress has
m y a. N al