Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-10
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
What Was Done Upon Them and
Public Grounds Last Year.
COL. JOHN WILSON'S ANNUAL REPORT.
What He Thinks is Needed for the
Next Fiscal Year.
A NEW EXECUTIVE OFFICE.

A NEW EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
Col. John NJ. Wilson. corps Of engineers. has
made report to the chief of engineers of the
operations on public buildings and grounds in
the District Of Columbia during the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1898, together with suggested
improvements for ensuing fiscal year. He
says:
THE PUBLIC PARKS.
While all persons justly concede the utility
and value to the capital of the nation of the
system Of parks and public spaces at the inter-
section Of its streets and avenues, and the i'm
portant relation they bear to the health and
welfare OF the citizens, many Of whom from the
requirements of official duties must reside here
nearly continuously during the year, the many
indirect yet not less valuable agencies extend
ing from them in promoting tho mental growth
and cultivating love for horticulture, arbori-
culture and Horticulture among our people who
congregate here from'all sections Of our coun-
try does not seem to be fully understood or
appreciated.
Prior to the commencement Of the improve
ment Of the Smithsonian grounds, in 1851. by
that celebrated landscape architect and gar
dener, Mr.. A. ]. Downing, it is believed that
few extensive park improvements were con-
templated or had been made in any American
city.
Now many Of our largest cities have within
their limits extensive and highly improved
public parks, the expenditures therefor in some
instances approximating to millions Of dollars.
However large the cost has been, the benefits
accruing therefrom have invariably amply re-
paid the labor and expense. Increas ID revenues
have been derived from taxation caused by
the rapid increase in value Of adjacent lands
and from the handsome and costly buildings
usually erected in the immediate vicinity Of
the parks. The effect upon the health and
morals Of the people benefited by these i'm
provements has been Of the most marked and
beneficial character.
WASHINGTON THE MOST INTERESTING CITY.
In the opening paragraph Of a recent publ
cation Washington has been described as fol-
lows: Washington is in a double sense the cap
ital city. 1t is the capital Of one of the fore
most nations of the earth and it il first In
beauty and attractiveness among all the cities
Of the American continent. It is in many re-
spects the most interesting city in America,
and to 1t thousands Of tourists make pilgrim.
ages from all parts Of the world.
II this language is too strong, and Washing
ton Is not the most beautiful and attractive
city in America, surely, a. the capital city, it
should be made so, and the pariu and, park
places SO freely distributed through IL BY the
wise foresight ofth great ma.-~hs--laia-
out, and which are conceded to form one Of its
chief attractions, should be maintained in the
very highest condition Of improvement This
can only be done by liberal appropriations
from Congress for their support, as they are
the exclusive property Of the United States.
The improved reservations OF the govern
ment, comprising the public grounds. have
been mainly created under the direction Of the
chief of engineers Of the U. s. army, the Off
GERS detailed for the duties having been most
earnestly, ably and efficiently assisted by Mr.
Geo. H. Brown, the public gardener, whose
TASTE skill, intelligence and nntiring industry
have been freely and promptly devoted to this
beautiful work.
EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS DESIGNED.
Mr.. Downing designed extensive improve
ments, but his death prevented him from ex-
ecuting them. Under his direction Lafayette
Park was improved and planted and portion
of the Smithsonian grounds beautified he
formulated plans and projected minor
improvements Of the parks which
During the period between the death Of Mr..
Downing in 1852 and the assignment in 1867 Of
the control Of the public grounds to the chief
of engineers no improvements Of any i'm
portance were made, except those around the
Agricultural Department
Since 1867 all of the prominent parks ard
park places with the exceptions noted in the
foregoing, have been improved under the
direction Of the chief Of engineers U. s. army,
with the limited appropriations made by Con-
gress for that purpose; how we'll the task has
been accomplished, how carefully the funds
mi ufa mai tn
Washington on her park system by her sister
cities and by distinguished visitors from abroad
| abundantly testify.
1t is also conceded that our parks, by the
manner The improvements are maintained,
evidence more care than is generally exercised
in such work except where large expenditures
are made. This is encouraging in view OF the
fact that it is believed that less amount per
acre is expended in their care and maintenance
than in any other locality where similar park
systems are maintained.
This condition of affairs is in some measure.
due to the great care exercised by the govern
ment in making expenditures for the purchase
| of materials and for payment for superintend-
| ence. labor, DC. 1t is a notable fact that the
government has been apparently fortunate in
securing good materials and very good service
| in all work connected with the parks.
APPROPRIATIONS REDUCED FOR NEXT YEAR,
Unfortunately for the next fiscal year the ap-
preparations for this very important work have
| been reduced and while there ia every evidence
that what has been done is fully appreciated it
| is feared thar the great work yet to be accom-
| plished is not fully realized. 1t is earnestly
hoped that the Congress soon to convene will
evince that interest in our beautiful parks that
their Importance demands and that suf-
fcient funds may be allotted to
push to speedy completion projected
and necessary improvements in a
| manner commensurate with their importance.