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 N. WILSON'S ANNUAL REPORT.
What He Thinks is Needed for the
Next Fiscal Year.
A NEW EXECUTIVE OFFICE.

L
Col. John NJ. Wilson. corps Of engineers has
made a report to the chief of engineers of the
operations on public buildings and grounds in
the District Q, Columbia during the fiscal year
ended June %, 1898, together with suggested
nts 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 inn
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 the 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. J. Downing, it is believed that
few extensive park improvements were con-
templsted 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. Increased 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 is first In
beauty and attractiveness among all the cities
OF the American continent. 1t is in many re-
spects the most interesting city in America,
and to it thousands of tourists make pilgrim.
ages from all parts Of the world.
II this language is too strong and Washing
ton Ii not the most beautiful and attractive
city in America, surely, al the capital city, it
should be made 30, and the parks and park
places 30 freely distributed through 1t by the
wise foresight Of the great man who laid it
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
hay
been mainly created under the direction Of the
chief of engineers Of the L. 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, W! lose
taste, skill, intelligence and untiring 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 beautifed; he
formulated plans and projected minor
improvements .nSa.,.0,,r Of the 1 parks ,a 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 well the task has
been accomplished, how carefully the funds
have been used, the many compliments paid to
Washington on her park system by her sister
cities and by distinguished visitors from abroad
abundsntly testify.
1t is also conceded tina. 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
once, labor, &c. 1t is a notable fact that the
securing good materials and very good service
in all work connected with the parks.
APPROPRIATIONS REDUCED FOR NEXT YEAR.
Unfor tunately for the next fiscal year the ap-
propriations for this very important work have
been reduced. and while there is ever evidence
that what has been done is fully appreciated il
is feared that 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-
ficient funds may be allotted to
push to speedy completion projected
and necessary improvements in a
manner commensurate with their importance.
not only for the purpose Of adorning the capital
city, in which all citizens have just pride. but
to furnish example of simple landscape
gardening and park ornamentation that will
have a direct influence in aiding in elevating
the taste of all visitors, and that may eventually
lead to the transformation into beautiful parks
of many pieces Of waste ground adjacent to the
cities of our country.
With these facts before me respectfully sub
NIT the following report Of work done during
the year. with suggestions for improvements
which deem necessary:
GROUNDS NORTH OF THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.
These grounds include those within the iron
fence north of the White House.
During the year they have been maintained
in excellent condition; lawns have been mown,
flower beds have been planted with flower
| ing bulbs and with summer and autumn
a, 81 Ia III fron and ahry,h