Evening star., 1897-06-08
INTERESTING SUGGESTION
Congress Should Provide the President With
aCountry House.
A Site fin Rock Creek Park Proposed
as nm Ideal L0ca.
tfOn,
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
do not own nor am 1 intereste.. ,ri prop
erty on the line of the extension OF 16tn
street, as proposed but 1 recognize the ad-
| vantages which must inure to the peonle
| not only of the county. but to those OF the
city. by the opening of this street to the
boundary OF the District. Therefore I
fuiiy appreciate the many reasons given in
your recent editorial upon this subject as
10 why 1t should be done at once inde-
pendently of the execution of the stree,
extension plan, and beg to repeat now
three of the most important of these rca-
sons:
First. The actual necessity that exists
for the relief of the driving public because
OF the now overcrowded condition of 18th
and Ith streets, which ars incambered by
street railways
Second. The fact that this street forms
the eastern boundary of Rock Creek Park
Tor distance of two or three miles
lhiro The necessity of accepting as
soon as possible the very liberal offer which
mas been made by a number of large prop
erty owners to donate the land for the pur-
| pose for distance of several miles
Presidents Have Sought Country
Homes.
Mr.. Lincoln years ago took up a residence
during portion of the year at the Sol
diers Home. Mr.. Harrison more recently
did likewise. Mr.. Cleveland established a
suburban home during both of his terms of
office. and it is now reported in the news
papers that Mr.. Mckinley has taken a
mouse upon a farm In Virginia. and rather
remote from the White House. All this
indicates very clearly, / think, the neces-
sity for permanent suburban homo to be
occupied by the President of the United
States, at least during the spring and au-
tumn, and. indeed. during the summer, as
perhaps the business of the government
may require him to remain in or near
Washington. Therefore, l desire to SUBJ
NIT another reason on behalf of the gov
ernment why 10th street should be ope ned
and to suggest that Congress SHOULD be
requested by our District Commissioners
or through our board OF trade to not only
open this street for travel and thereby
develop Rock Greek Park, which is of no
use to the people at present, but that a
committee shall be appointed to select a
site along the line of said street, within the
limits of the park, of at least 100 acres.
In fact. one might be now designated,
l happen to be very familiar with all this
land, and l would suggest the site of the
old Crystal Springs Hotel, less than two
and ole-half miles from the White House.
and less than one mile from Mount Pleas
ant. This location possesses not only many
natural advantages, but is, in my judg-
ment, admirably well suited a proper
place upon which to establish n suburban
home for the President Of the United
States.
"hnt Congress should Do.
Congress should also direct the present
park commission of the city of Washington
to take charge of this tract so selected or
designated and to make all necessary i'm
provements in the way of developing its
existing exceptional natural beauties by
laying out such roads and pathways as
may be needed. Nothing need be expended
by the government for trees and shrubbery,
as the natural features of this tract are
such that, like all of Rock Creek Park. i.
requires simply development, and ! hope
these great natural advantages will be re-
tanned far as possible.
OF course, 1 think that Congress ought
to appropriate at least one hundred thou
sand dollars for building purposes, which
will. believe, be sufficient for suitable
home structure, and this would be less
than the cost of a site elsewhere; but 1
only now urge that a portion of the park
shall be set apart for this purpose by Con-
gress and that the landscape be improved.
The Advantages offered.
The advantages to the government will
be numerous
First. The saving of the cost Of land for
a site elsewhere.
Second. The partial improvement of Rock
Creek Park, which was established more
than five years ago at a cost OF one million
two hundred thousand dollars, and has
not as yet been of any use to the people.
Third. benefit derived by reason of
the cost Of opening 10th street to the Dis
trict line.
Fourth. Thereby necessary provision will
be made for the President of the United
States.
Fifth. Washington city, in which the
United States is so largely interested, will
be thereby beautified and improved, and
all at very slight cost and expense.
LOUIS p. SHOEMAKER.