Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-15
Col. Wilson Appeals for the Crowded
White House.
PARKS NEEDING IMPROV EMENT
Some Also Occupied Without War
rant of Law.
MORE MONEY ASK ED FOR

contains many interesting things that were
rot included in the brief synopsis OF he
report furnished the press a few weeks
sgo.as a part of the report of the chief of
engineers
For instance, Col. Wilson says that the
following reservations claimed as the prop
erty of the United States are now occupied,
II is believed, without authority of law:
Reservations Nos. 1l3, 127 and 1877, by the
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company.
Reservation No. 10 by the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company.
Reservation No. 12j, by the Central Uuion
Mission as a place OF worship.
Reservation No. 1sG. by the Bethany
Chapel of the New York Avenue Presby-
terrain congregation.
Reservation No. 2.8 intersection of Canal
and " street south and LIST street west;
occupied by a party who built frame
house thereon in 1888; this case has been
In the hands of the United States district
attorney for the District of Columbia for
the past six years.
Reservation No. 2i9 Is occupied as a lum-
Der yard by a party who claims to rent 1t
from gentleman In Port Deposit, Md.
Reservations Nos. 1871, 49, al, 152, 1914
and l6o have been inclosed with iron or
wire fences and partially improved by the
owners of adjacent property.
Crowded White House.
In a chapter descriptive of repairs and
improvements to the Executive Mansion and
grounds during the past year. Col. Wilson
invites attention to the Importance of pro-
yiding suitable offices for the President of
the United States outside of the present
Executive Mansion. Surely the people OF
this great nation" he says, can afford to
provide for its chief magistrate, outside of
his home, place where the immense bust
ness incident to his exalted position may re-
Ceive attention.
Congress. In it's wisdom. over forty years
ago, made provision for the enlargement of
the Capitol by the construction of new
Wings, on account of the growing business
or the country, and again within a few
years has ordered the erection of a maS-
nincent library building, that the Con-
gresSional Library might be removed from
the Capitol
No steps. however, have been taken for
charging the Executive Mansion, which
today, with the exception of interior and
exterior ornamentatIon and improvement
remains as II was when first occupied by
President Adams at the be ginning OF the
present century.
1T is fact we'll known to all that the
enormous crowds assembling at official
evening receptions, as well the demands
for more rooms for the entertainment from
time to time of the nations guests, long
since required either the enlargement OF
the White House or the transfer OF the
office rooms of the President to some con-
yenient locality.
Efforts to enlarge the mansion have
failed and again 1 earnestly suggest that a
structure suitable for Office purposes shall
be provided at an early day, either east or
west or the main building, and opposite
the Treasury Department or the State,
War aud Navy building. If erected oppo-
site the treasury building, it could be con-
nected by wide corridor with large
conservatory arranged as a winter garden,
thence into a picture gallery opening into
the east room, and thus serve double
purpose, by relieving the mansion of the
incident evening
fetal receptions which take place during
the winter.
II earnestly nope that Congress will give
TINS important matter speedy attention, so
that, II possible, the new structure may be
completed at least BY the spring of 1887"
improvements Asked.
Estimates are submitted for the improve
ment CT several reservations. For reserva-
ton No. -, Immediately north of the navy
yard. Sl2,OIO is requested
The estimate for the improvement of
reservation No. 20, Howard University
Park, is so, 900. This reservation, Col. Will
son says, is admirably located for a public
park, for pleasure grounds, picnics, ETC.,
and for other assemblageS of the people,
being within Il few squares OF the ter
minal stations OF four city and suburban
railroad lines. He says If the projected inn
proVeIuents are made this park will soon
become a popular place of resort, and will
relieve the city parks proper, which, he
Improvement. 1t is designed, he says, to
preserve. fully as practicable, the pres
ent native forest growth of oaks, and to
form additional paintings OF other varieties
of ornamental trees and shrubs, bounding
the park on all sides, 50 that there may be
many shaded walks and drives in the sum-
m6r and autumn, opening out into sunny
glades in the more central portions of the
grounds. 1t is proposed to construct gravel
walks and roads, terraces, drinking foun-
tains, electric lights. and to request the
n aif Low all
around the reservation.
Hancock Place.
Three thousand dollars is asked for the
Improvement OF Hancock Place, corner of
7th street and Pennsylvania avenue, which
has been selected as the site for the statue
of Gen. Hancock. In regard to this reser-
walton, Col. Wilson says:
1T IS proposed to construct a circle of
120 feet in diameter in which a circular
mound, 80 feet in diameter, will be formed
around the pedestal of the statue, the circle
and the mound to be inclosed with a
dressed granite curb. There will be raised
grass plats, and small circular mound at
the west end of the reservation. planted in
part with low-growins Towering shrubs,
forming a foreground of pretty parklets.
The entire pavement within and around
the reservation is designed to be of one
character, preferably granolithic. 1t is
suggested that the prominent location of
this reservation on one of the PRINCIPAL
thoroughfares merits the highest type of
park improvement, not only to be in keep
ing with its surroundings, but to prove an
attractive ornament to our capital city"
On the Avenue.
An estimate OF 5000 is submitted for the
Improvement OF reservation No. 30, at the
southeast corner of Pennsylvania avenue
and l4th street, of which Col. Wilson says:
1T is contemplated to remove the old soft
maple trees now bordering this small park
place, which have Outliyed their useful
ness, and have lost their ornamental char
Rcter; to raise the grade in the center about
two and half feet above the present level
and to slope gradually from this point to
the margins OF the reservation; to con-
struct granite boundary walls and orna-
mental piers, coping, wing walls, etc.; to
lnclose the reservation, except at certain
entrances, with an ornamental stone COP
Ing; to introduce water pipe; to construct
q handsome fountain, with basin suitably
incloSed with an ornamental stone coping,
and to purchase three large iron vases to
be placed at walk Intersections. 1t is also
proposed to construct granolithic paths
and sidewalks. The paintings will consist
of towering shrubs and few trees of
medium-sized growth of a decidedly orna-
mental character. 1t is earnestly hoped