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

blocked out and Mr.. Johnston drew up a bill
which was the basis of the one that finally be-
came law. few evenings later another
meeting was held at Mr.. Glover's house at
which were present the gentlemen named and
q number of other citizens. including Washing
ton Mclean. Crosby S. Noyes. g. H. Kauffmann
Gen. IL. '. Boynton. Henry Wise Garnett. A
i. Brltton. Geo. L. Lemon. Chas. NOrdhoff. b..
H. Warner. Stilson Hutchins. +. A. Richardson.
VI. VI. Parker, Lewis j. Davis. Charles j. Bell,
+. p. b. Sands, VIM. Corcoran Hill Duncan s.
Walker, y. c. Green. Hallet Kilbourn, Col.
James a. Bates and f. W. Fox. At this gath
ering. over which Mr.. G. S. Moves presided. the
general plan and bill prepared by AIr. Glover
ana his associates were approved and it was
decided to begin the pubic effort.
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Next came the meeting at the Atlantic build
ing and the appointment of the executive COM
mittee. At this meeting as shown in the re-
port taken from the STAR, provision made
for another committee to represent the states,
but it was afterward considered Unnecessary to
have such an auxili airy. The idea that pre-
vailed was that the great prize was to be won
by unremtting work, and the executive COM
mittee. having devoted itself to the task.
any other committee would be supcrtlnous and
a hindrance rather than help. The work
done by that executive committee. i'll While b
Mr.. Glover was the leading spirit, was enor-
nous. 1t had hearings before the con-
GresSional committees. and through
Its Spokesman presented the facts clearly and
impressively. Thus far its work was apparent
to the public. In private it was a committee
on education. bureau of information. a body
of propagandists. No lobby ever organized
did more effective work under the stimulus
of expected gains than did this committee of
half a dozen citizens unselfishly working in
patriotic cause. Congressman had to be
educated to believe in the park. MIsconcep-
n he he nj
1t prevailed in many quarters and had to be
combated. When once il Congressman WAS
educated. however, he became thoroughly
in earnest and enthusiastic the committee
men Themselves and so the movement always
gained III numbers and never lost.
FRIENDS on THE FLOOR.
Both in the House and Senate were men who
needed no convincing and who worked for the
measure from the first with heartlness that
did much to bring about the final victory. In
the House Mr.. Hemphill led the movement and
his interest and his wisdom as manager greatly
FASTENED the final passage of the bill Gen.
Grout. chairman of the House District COM
mittee, Mr.. McComas, Mr.. Lodge, Mr.. Atkinson
and others gave warm support 10 the measure
in the House and in the Senate the cause of the
park was champiOned valiantly by Messrs Ed
munds, Ingalls,. Harris, German. Sherman and
Gibson aud others. There were citizens not
on the committee. too. whose industry and in
terest contributed much to the final result
Among these were James NJ. johnson, Ross
Perry, Myron NJ. Parker, Alex. D. Anderson,
Gen. Fl. V. Boynton, Ex-Auditor McConville
and Adds Il. Browne. AS the work progressed,
The STAR, which had been foremost in advo-
eating the park. devoted its space freely to the
enterprise. meeting every demand for informa-
ton and publishing maps and illustrated arti-
cles TO give an intelligent idea of the project
THE ARGUMENTS USED.
The arguments used by the committee of
citizens are briefly set forth in a circular ad-
dressed by it soon after it was formed, TO all
parties interested in the future OF the national
capital" In this paper the committee said:
1T is we'll known that the bill pending be-
fore the House of Representatives. looking to
the establishment of the Rock Creek National
Park. will come up for action at an early day.
and the undersigned committee, appointed at
a mass meeting of citizens held January H.
1889, to urge upon Congress the Importance of
this public measure. most earnestly request the
cooperation of all public-spirited citizens in
securing the establishment of this great ma
tlOnal park.
While we are residents of the city of Wash
ington and speak on our own behalf and for
large majority of local taxpayers. yet we feel
that We also represent many hundreds Of thou
sands OF visitors who will come to Washington
in the future and enjoy the benefit of the legis-
1T mrv be proper for US to say that those who
have been most active in this matter have no
property which will be directly benefited by the
establishment of this park; that we speak en-
tirelv on public grounds without reference to
our own pecuniary interests, realizing that the
growth of Washington has just commenced;
that it belongs TO the people OF the whole
country. and that every dollar of public money
spent here for public attractions is devoted to
the pleasure and profit OF the humber citizen
OF our land-the population of every town,
county and city. The reasons for early action
are:
First. The tract of ground which it is desired
to set apart for the purpose indicated is along
the line OF Rock creek, and especially adapted
for the purpose. Second. 1t can be had now at
much less price than hereafter, as large i'm
provements are contemplated to property living
beyond. which will greatly enhance its value.
A number of those whose property must be
condemned II the. bill passes are actively OPP
posing 1t, believing that the land can be subdi-
vided and much larger sum realized than
will be paid by the government il it is taken in
bulk Third. 1t il now held by q few owners
and the forests growth has not been greatly
disturbed. III 1t Is subdivided many Of the
trees will be cut down and DESTROYED and IL
Congress in the future should determine to
take the land instead of at the present time,
many OF Its natural attractions will have been
destroyed. and it will require years to replace
them. Fourth. There are no fine houses on the
property which will have to be paid for
IF the land contiguous to Rock creek is sub
divided this beautiful stream must niece ssarilv
be used for sewerage purposes. thus destroy
ing It's purity and beauty and endangering the
health of the capital city.
I'VE need make no comparison Of the large
amount OF ground devoted to parks in large
cities or the capitals of other countries These
facts have already been published and those
who take an interest in this subject are familiar
with them. We do urge, however, the most
active cooperation within the next few weeks
IN presenting the whole case to members of
Congress and those who have an influence in
accomplishing the purpose mentioned
Our largest taxpayers are urging it; our most
enterprislng public men are in favor of it.
Thousands of visitors from other cities who
have gone over the ground which it is contem-
plated to take are most enthusiastic in their
desire to see the park established Although
we are compelled to pay taxes we can take no
part in the legislation which disposes of
them, SO our only recourse 10 TO pre-
sent our case as clearly and as earn
estly as possible to those whose legislation
and action must determine our interests. Let
US all work together for the accomplishment of
this great measure. which is not at all local,
but national in its character, and We have NO
doubt of the result"
THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE.