davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27
THE CUT IN SALARIES.
President Soden OF the Bostons Gives I
Ideas on the Subject

President Soden of the Bostons Gives His
Ideas on the Subject
President Soden of the Boston Base Ball
Club has given utterance to his sentiments
about salaries. Mr.. Soden is tired about bag
Cling with base ball players year after year,
and he wants to have it done away with He
wants the men to be signed bya committee.
This committee will receive the names of the
players reserved and the salaries their clubs
will pay them, and secure them on the best
terms possible.
President Soden said that salaries will have
attained their height in 1892. There will be a
cut OF from ~ to 30 per cent in salaries IN 1883
OF such players who have not bound their clubs
by contract covering that time. In the Boston
club the only two men who cannot be cut dur
ing that time will be Nash and Duffy. Both
have contracts with one more year to run.
The three-year contracts of GARRISON. Long
Nichols Bennett, CAMEL and Tucker expire
with this season.
1t Is not the intention to pay low salaries but
simply to- lower them. Liberal figures will
still prevail, but instead of paying salary list
OF S59, 600 the Boston club will surely not paw
over $4,000 in 1898, and less than that in 1894
MIR. Soden further said that the public was
not aware OF the immense sums of money spent
in base ball during the two seasons past and
now large a sum would be necessary for the
league to square and carry on the campaign
OF 1892 and fulfill all its obligations. The cut
down, therefore, was absolutely necessary 10
protect the clubs from further loss
Business Manager Frank Bancroft of Ciucin-
natl says that no club could make money this
year on account Of the big salary lists and the
consequent high cost Of running a club.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

the fate Of the creek or the possible destruction
OF the beauty of the valley-seem to be at an
end Those who have given their time and
energies to securing this happy result nave mao
to overcome obstacles which would have dis-
couraged men whose devotion to the puonc
good had not been unwavering. 1t may not pc
out of place here to briefly recapitulate the
leading points in the long history OF the PARK
movement
THE FIRST BILL
The first Rock Creek Park bill was introduced
twenty-five years ago in the Thirty ninth Con
gress. After that from year to year huiiDei
of measures were formulated. They an "eie
similar to the first in having the same oD1e.
Rock creek for park purposes-tn9usn '. .t.
differed from that and from each otuer ~ w
methods prescribed for acquiring tne 8Iounu,
the limit of cost as well as the numper VI 49,
to be purchased, and In minor ue. Ia..o - tho
ing the commissioners 10 ha'e 0
park. -. ,sor,sd nv the
In response to a resolution adopteu ~ 1s.b
Senate on motion of Mr.. Hendricks on the ios -
of july. 1866, Maj. n. Michler OF the coaps
engineers in January OF the loho"ins ans of
United TO the Senate report giving niaPs VI
the Rock creek region and proposing wv Pians,
one for a mark of Z, $40 acres and tine otner I0I
a mark of 800 acres. Upon TINS rePo' IN
was formulated by the committees on pubic
buildings and grounds provldihs 0i pu,
a -
witbin the lines projected by Maj. Mlchler and
wbicb includad 2. 200 acres. Gems. Meigs and
WRIGHT and Mai. Michler were constituted
comYittee TO negotiate with the owners OF the
land No appropriation was made, the COM
,,,issior being required to report the result of
it, NEGOTIATIONS to the next Congress.
This hill however. failed to become law, al
,bonob il had an eloquent advocate in the Sem
ate ia the person Of b. Gratz Brown.
RENEWED EFFORT.
No further effort appears on record until
1888. although in 1880 Capt. Hoxie in a report
had suggested turning the whole Rock creek
valley into a park with an ornamental lake and
by a system of dams. November IL, |
1883. W. W. Corcoran. ". Strong and Josiah |
Dent joined in letter to the District Commits !
'ioners calling attention to the abandoned |
project and urging 1.-The desirability and policy |
# securing these grounds for q public park |
Without needless delay"
Nothing, however. was then done in the way |
II attempted legislation. Attention was called /
o the project again in January, 1856, by the |
of an offer by Judge Ord to
Tomato twenty-five acres of his land on Rock /
reek for the location of a Geological park and |
,ublic baths, but Congress did not avail itself |
# the offer.
In the Forty-ninth Congress bill was offered |
n the Senate authorizing the District Commits
toners to plat for condemnation a tract Of |
and not exceeding 900 feet in width, on both
ides of Rock creek. beginning at the intersec-
ion of Massachusetts avenue extended and the
.reek and extending to the boundary line of
he District. No appropriation was made. the
,ill requiring the Commissioners TO report to
Congress the results Of their negotiations and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

gave warm support to 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 and others. There were citizens. not
on the committee. too, whose industry and in
terest contributed much to the final result
Among these were James VI. Johnston, Ross
Perry, Myron NJ. Parker, Alex d. Anderson,
Gen. II: Y. Boynton, E1-Auditor McConville
and Adds B. Browne As the worklprogressed.
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 p e1lishing maps and illustrated arti-
cles to give an intelligent idea of the project
THE BILL INTRODUCED.
The bill drawn up and approved by the citi-
zens committee was introduced in the House
by Mr.. Hemphill January IA. 1889. This bill
provided for a purchase Of tract Of land not
exceeding $500 acres, following the course of the
creek, beginning at Woodley Lane bridge. of a
width not less at any point than 400 feet. The
chief of engineers, the secretary of the Smith
sonian Institution and the Engineer Commits
sioner of the District were named as the COM
mission to locate and purchase the park, with
the assistant Of the Engineer Commissioner as
Of the cost Of the park, according to the bill,
was charged to the District, and the park when
purchased was to be under the control OF the
District Commissioners.
The tenor of debates in the House had con-
WINGED those who were urging the park pro-
ject that it would be quite impossible to get
any measure through that did not propose to
make the District pay one-half of the cost.
While this was considered unjust the citizens
committee deemed it wisest to secure the park
on the best terms possible and leave it to Con-
gress in the future to make amends for the
wrong done the people Of the District. In that
view THzsSrAR, January 16, 1889, proposed that
the national government should advance what
ever may be necessary for the park and be re-
imbursed gradually by the District, az in the
case Of the alleged water works extension.
THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE AT WORK.
The executive committee Of citizens began
it, active work January 10, when it appeared
before the House District committee and urged
the passage Of the Hemphfll bill. From thai
time on the committee lost no opportunity "a
impress upon Oongrsss and 10 eommittsss III
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27
importanc. and advantages Of the proposed


The f3rss decided result Of the work OF the
executive committee was thoughtful and
forcible report made in the House January 26
by Mr.. Hemphill from the District committee,
recommended the passage of the measure in
troduced by him on the 14th. The COMMITTEES
recommended an appropriation Of 81, 500,OOO
for the purchase of the park
On the 18th of February the Senate District
committee approved and substituted the Hemp
hill bill for the one it had reported. which
made no appropriation but required the Com
missioners to report its work to Congress An
effort was made by Mr.. Hemphill, February
70, 1883, to get the matter through before
the Fiftieth Congress expired by attaching
the .S Pill substantially as an am anne nnens
consideration. Then the friends OF the
bill sought 10 secure it's enactment as an amend
ment to the sundry civil bill, but failed, though
their efforts probably resulted In securing the
coveted place in the sundry civil bill for the
Zoo" amendment, which, thus nestled under
the wings of a great appropriation bill, went
safely through.
IN THE FIFTY-F1RsT CONGRESS.
Promptly at the beginning of the Fifty-frst
Congress the park bills were reintroduced
December 4, 1889, both Mr.. ingalls, and Mr.
sherman offered bills in the Senate. Mr.. In
gals 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 to Mr.. Hemphilrs. ex-
cept that it named the Kingle
Ford bridge AS the starting point, and, instead
of making direct appropriation, provided for
the issue of 81 200. 900 in District bonds to pay
for the park, provision being made that one
half the sum shouli be refunded by the United
States to the District.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

making an extended visit to the different hold
ings. In July the long work of hearing testi-
mony In regard to values was begun. In August
the owners petitioned the Supreme Court for a
writ OF error, which was refused by Judoe
Harlan in the same month. In October the
long hearings were finished and the arguments
commenced. The question Of the ownership
OF any mineral wealth in the property was
raised and the Court in General Term decided
tnat the minerals were the property of the gov
eminent December 10 the board of apprais-
ers mace ,ne ar report, awarding in the ag-
within the limits of the proposed park. This
amount, together with about s24o. 600 paid to
property owners who accepted the prices Of
Tered by the managing commission. exceeded
the appropriation Of o., 2OO, 900 made for the
This fact was made the basis Of a v;corons
legal attack on the part of owners who were
oissatisneo with the awards. Every conceiv-
apIe point was raised against the report in the
court IN General Term and many DAYS were
b por. IN argument m The court gave patient
made its order conf rming the report.
THE LAST STEP.
Now the proceedings have reached the last
step before the commission can pay for and
Jake possession OF the land condemned. The
law provides chat the report Of the appraising
court shall he srhr,;.tea =. -. pRp 80 ~ t s
his approval The renort ia now IN tha herSs
of the President. The fact that the President
promptly approved the mark hin when IL was
passed by Congress and made the most caref,I
selection Of the Commissioners who were
charged with executing the provisions Of the
law is taken as an assurance of his deem in
terest in a measure that means SO much of GOOD
to the District and that he will NOT ON any
trifing consideration render of no avail the
great work already done bv the commissioners
he appointed. There have been a number of
suggestions made as to the excess of the awards.
together with the money already paid over the
appropriation of 81. 200 900. but il is claimed
that this question is one that need not be con-
sidered officially until the President has given
his approval to the report and thereby author
lied the park commission to purchase the land.
by the limits of the appropriation from taking
more land than can be paid for Int this re-
striction does not prevent the President from
approving the awards as lust and reasonable or
the project as proper and expedient. Besides
taking and paving for the land and adjusting
the purchase to the limits of the appronriation
the commission will still have the duty to per-
form of assessing as provided by law lands
which are benefited bv the location of the mark
ru.- - -, ,u.,,
Auo "o' pio'iueo 'nas 'ract Vi iaho not e4-
ceedlng 2,OOO acres in extent lying on both
sides of Rock creek should be secured and
perpetually dedicated and act anartas n npbJic
mark or nleasnre oronnd for the beneft ond
ENJOYMENT of the neonle of the IInited States
to be known by the name Of Rock Creek PARK y
The sum of 81. 200 600 was annropriated to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27
ON ROCK CREEK SANDS.


number of other citizens. including Washing
ton Mclean, Crosby S. Noyes. s. II. Kaufman,
Gen H. V. Boynton, Henry Wise Garnett A.
I. Britton. Geo. Z. Lemon Chas. Nordhoff, b.
III. Warner, Stilson Hutchins. f. A. Richardson,
NJ. NJ Parker, Lewis j. Davis, Charles J. Bell,
+. P. B. Sands, VIM. Corcoran Hill, Duncan s.
Walker, o. C. Green. Hallet Kilbourn, Col
James A. Bates and E. W. Fox. At this gath
ering, over which Mr.. c. s. Moves presided, the
general plan and bill prepared by Mr.. Glover
and his associates were approved and it was
decided to begin public effort.
Next came the meeting at the Atlantic build
ing and the appointment of the executive COM
mittee.
The work done by that executive committee,
In which Mr.. Glover was the leading spirit,
was enormous. 1t had hearings before con-
gressional committees. and through its spokes-
men presented facts clearly and impressively
Thus far its work was apparent to the public.
In private it was committee on education, a
bureau of information, a body of propagandists.
Misconceptions of the park measure and of the
motive behind it prevailed in many quarters
and had to be combated.
FRIENDS ON THE FLOOR
Both in the House and Senate we're men who
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

far below is Shoemaker's mill and the mill dam,
over which the water rolls in a broad, majestic
stream. Above the dam the water stretches
out into pretty little lake. In the vicinity OF
the creek at this point are beautiful villas and
smooth, easy roads. Below Shoemaker's mill
the creek goes sweeping on toward the lower
limits of the park. At some places the water
spreads out into a considerable expanse and in
others is narrowly confined by the abutting
hills. Above klingle Ford bridge the creek
affords a splendid stretch of water. Below
klIngle ford where the creek winds into the
geological Park, the banks of the stream rise
IN precipitous cliffs, clothed with a thick
growth of timber. In the limits of the pro-
posed park is to be found almost every variety
OF tree and shrub and vine which the climate
affords
There are many spots, too. of some historic
interest along the stream. Joel Barlow
seiected home overlooking this picturesque
glen, and John Howard Payne, whose mortal
ABOVE the creek in Georgetown, found such
attractions In this region that it was one of his
favorlte haunts. On the banks of the creek
STOOD the mill built by John Quincy Adams and
the house where Adams at intervals found rest
from public toll. Along the creek, too, are
reues OF the war, earthworks which formed a
part OF the Gordon of forts that encircled
the capital.
THE BOUNDS OF THE PARK.
The park as laid out by the commission COM
prlses ], $50 acres and extends from Kingle Ford
bridge to the District line. The lower or
southern part of the park is narrow, as the
width there Is limited by law, but north of the
junction OF the Blagden Mill and Broad Branch
roads 1T widens out. The narrow section forms
asort OF parkway connecting the main park with
the Geological Park. The eastern boundary of
the park from Blagden Mill road all the way out
TO the District limits is straight line, which
would be the line of 10th street if that street
were extended. The park strikes the north
ern boundary of the District line or rather
me District lines as the north corner of the
District, where two of the lines meet. is in
cluded In the park. The west boundary is a
line running along the Daniels road and the
Broad Branch road
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

and noxious odors constantly rise greatly to
ths detriment Of the health of the peopIe
along its banks and to the injury of property
in that section. and. in the opinion OF your
portion OF the creek must be covered over or
some other mode Of protection adopted at a
cost Of many thousand dollars. The pre.erva-
tion Of both banks of Rock creek, as proposed
IN the pending bill. viii at once avoid this dan
ger and cost and preserve the existing beauty
OF a large territory. Looking at this measure
merely as practical business matter il seems
TO be wise Such preservation of the natural
beauties Of q section so near the city will con-
ducs greatly 70 the physical well as the
moral I'm proyement of the people"
NATURAL PARK
Aside from the satisfaction which this happy
and comparatively inexpensive deliyerance Of
the city from grave danger gives to all. the
ProsPees q having park which will be con-
stant source OF delight. beautiful region
Dedicated forever ~ the people a pleasure
ground and adding TO the charms OF the capital
city. II something that appeals to the pride OF
all The Rock Creek valley Is a natural park
Possessing scenic attractions, combinati( rs OF
wood anu grassy bluff. rock and stream, which
years ago made il famous. Nature had ae-
comphshed there works, which an
army OF landscape gardeners, with
unlimited appropriations to draw upon,
could not hope TO equal in any less favored To-
cality. Those who early advocated the park
project - they became discouraged by the
Year, Of delay, were saddsned BY the thought
That the picturesque surroundings of the wind
ing creek would disappear as the real estate
syndicatss with their subdivisions and their I'M
Romantic rows Of city houses, made their way
70 the very edge Of the stream.
bst nov ~ masG'vings on either account
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

condemnation proceedings. On this bill, in
June, 1886, at the request OF the Senate District
committee. the District Commissioners made
report stating that the plat of the pro-
posed park. as drawn, shows a park 900 feet
in width. from Lyons mills to the boundary of
the District. The quantity Of land included was
919 acres Should Congress desire to proceed
further in the matter, they suggested, impor-
tant notifications would be made in the plan
by a careful consideration Of the topography Of
the several portions of the proposed park. No
uniform width need be adhered to. Where the
banks are steep only such acreage would be re-
qSred as would suffice to control the crest and
slopes and provide for the construction of suit
mote from the banks of the stream a greater
width would be requisite.
favorable report was made on the bill to
the House January 81, 1887, by Mr.. Rowell
from the District committee.
The bill failed to become a law
Mr. Ingalls, reintrOduced the same bill in the
Senate December -, 1887. January 9, 1888,
Mr.. RoweI introduced il again in the House.
and ii got so far this time as to have an amend
ment attached to it declaring that in the event
the government failed to provide for the pay
ment for the Land condemned within two years
then all proceedings under this act should be
void. favorable report was made on the bill
bv the District Commissioners and also by the
House District committee.
During the discussion of the park project in
the Mouse, August Is, 1888, the proposal was
made in amendments offered b. Messrs. Can
non and Hopkins to assess the adjacent prop
erty and to charge half of the cost of the PARK
to the District The bill was then recommit-
ted and got no further consideration at that
time
THE LAST SUCCESSFUL MOVEMENT.
No further steps were taken until the winter
of that year, 1888, when the project was re-
vived. The movement then begun WAS like an
uprising OF citizens. The realization that their
Rock creek region was about to be invaded by
real estate syndcates, and that the creek would
In course of time become a sewer and a source
OF pestllence, came with such force to a num-
Der of influential citizens that they took up the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

needed no convincing and who worked for the
measure from the first with heartiness that
did much to bring about the final victory. In
the House MIR. Hemphill led the movement and
his interest and his wisdom as a manager greatly
hastened the final passage of the bill. Gen.
Grout. then chairman of the House District
committee; Mr.. Hemphill the present
chairman Of that committee; Mr.. Nc
Comas, Mr.. Lodge, Mr.. Atkinson and others
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27
The Electrical Conveution-

The electrical convention in Buffalo -
sembled in executive session Thursday sftsr.
noon for the purpose Of electing officers and
choosing the next place Of meeting. The cleo
ton resulted as follows: President James L
AYR. ST. Louis: first vice president, c.
Armstrong, Camden, n. J.; second vice prssi-
dent. c. H. wilmerding, Chicago. Messrs. II.
Ii. Fairbanks Of Worcester, Mass, Robt Macie
of Cincinnati and c. l. Abel Of Buffalo were
made members of the executive committee. IL
was decided 20 meet next in 81 Louis IN Feb
ruary. 1888. There will be no summer session
i'm 1892, but it 10 expected that at the ST. Louis
meeting arrangements viii be made for .
meeting in August NJ Chicago during The
worlds fair.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

park movement and gave to it an energy that 1t
never had before. They went at work systemati-
cally and with an interest that never tagged
Defeats only inspired them with new yigor.
They devoted their influence and their time and
strength 70 the campaign and at last won the
park for the people. The committee of
citizens never ceased to work and was not dis
solved until the park bid became law by the
Presidents approval The EVENING STAR.
which had ever urged the establishment Of the
park, sounded the keynote Of the neg and sue
cessful campaign in an editorial in The SrAR
December %. 1883, In which energetic CO.
operative action was urged. January II, 1889,
TIE stan made further appeal in the interest
Of "a project 20 entirely void Of selfish per
sonal interests that 10 does not enlist the sup
port Of Lobbyists. jobbers os spseulston and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27
WINNING THE PARK.
A Great Project Now Near Accom-
plishment.
PROTECTING ROCK CREEK
tn. Park nj. a Sanitary Measure and a Busi-
mes. Proposition-Its Requirement. CaIcu-
lated to save Many Millions in the Future
Description and History Of the Park.

YER TWENTY-FIVE
years ago Maj. Micnler
of the engineer corps,
in response to a resolu-
ton of the Senate, pre-
pared maps of a park
to include the land
bordering Rock creek.
the park then proposed
being similar to the one
which now awaits only
the Presidents ap-
proval to become a
reality. In the quarter
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

5tfoln an luslihuAAtu tiitf
is peculiarly American
the dime m useum.
Less than a week ago
there sailed from this
port for the British me-
tropolis a man who is
worth half a million
dollars and who has
made every cent Of that
sum in the ten-cent
amusement business. 1t
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

English Burglars secure Valuable spefls.
Burglars Thursday night broke into the
residence Of Lord Vernon st Payton, -
Cheshire, Eng, temporarily tsnanssd BY Q Mn
Turner Of Nanchsstsr, and stole tsvsaEy - ~
value Of e5,00Q
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27
STAGE AND SAWDUST
Some Interesting Information About
the Dime Museum and the Circus.
ENGLAND TO SEE FREAKS

A Manager Who Will Set Up q Rival 20 the
London Concert HalIs-How Dime Museums
Were First Established - Statesmen as
Special Attractions On the Cireus.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27
Nrw YORK. Februarv q.

60 NGLAND Is GOING
to have a visitation