The times., 1897-08-18
Mr.. Bramhall Makes Some Sug-
gestions to Commissioners.
OPPOSED TO FILLING UP
Continuation OF the Parking System
to Pennsylvania Avenue, With
Terraces and Drives, Cheaper and
More Healthful-No Danger From
PoIIution-Prompt Action Urged.

| =
Commissioners asking for reconsideration
of a report made by Engineer Commissioners
Russell in 1898 advocating that Rock Creek
valley, between washington and George
town, be filled in Mr.. Bramhall desires
to see the valley left as it is and inn
proved by parking and drives as is Rock
| Creek Park. Tins course, he says, will
insure a desirable population TO the section
whereas the other plan would draw the
| other element.
Mr.. Bramhall's letter, which shows CON
siderable grasp of the subject, reads:
Washington. DC, A ugust ,, 1897.
10 the commissioners OF the district of
Columbia:
Gentlemen: 1 desire to invite your at
| tentlon 10 the report OF the Engineer Com
missioner OF January 10, 1893, To the
| senate OF the United States in response 10
! resolution thereof, dated July -, 1882,
Ing, arcning and filling OF the valley of
| Rock creek, between ashington and
Georgetown, and printed as part OF the
annual report or the ColnmlSslUners OF lle
| District or Columbia, 1888.
| Tie SAID resolution was the result OF rep
| reseutations made to Congress to the effect
that by the arching, etc, or the valley or
| Roek Greek, In the manner proposed, from
! Massachusetts avenue extended to the Po-
tonlac RIVER, the proceeds OF the land with
| in the squares, after extending the streets,
| would be more than sufficient to cover the
entire cost or the work, but the carefully
| prepared exhibits and estimates repor ted
by Engineer Commissioner Rossell show
! that the cost would be IS, 800 ,3O4, and the
| selling value OF the land s5,iS6 ,2O3, leav-
ing the net cost S4,i04,l0O, TO be paid 10y
| the taxpayers.
Yhe said report practically discouraged
the idea of the enterprise or scheme, for
| nothing more has been heard OF 1t either
/ q 81 % ~
or Columbia, or in the public press; the
| report says tp. 559): The sewage having
| been satisfactorily intercepted 1 believe
| that the utmost that viii be required for
| sanitary purposes will he to provide for
| the stream, for some future time, a
| regulated channel, with a smooth and
| solid invert. which shall conduct the
| comparatively unpolluted water between
| parked and terraced banks. The land
| under regulated channel and up 10
suitable height on each side should prop
| erly be under the control of the District
| OF Columbia, in order that all pollution
OF the stream and its banks by dumping
| may be prevented | believe the Con-
! sfructlon or system OF intcrcepting
| sewers heretofore recommended, follow
| ed within rea soDable time by the regu-
| lalion or the channel, To be not only all
| that is necessary, bat also the safest and
best solution OF the problem," and on
7. Dos Ia my annual report | called at
| tention TO the eneroachment upon the
| channel of Rock Creek by the dumping
| OF earth and suggested that the only
/
| tor the Government TO purchase the land
| along both banks OF the creek. Whether
the archtnS OF the creek be undertaken
| at tne present time or not, il is of great
| Importance that the Government secure
sufiioient land TO prevent this encroach-
From the District line TO Woodley Lane
Bridge park / 5 already established along
| the valley OF Rock Greek, and in the plot
| OF the first secticn of the extension of
| highways the said park is further ex-
/ tended down the creek to the line of Q
street. A careful examination of The sit
| uauon must Inevitably lead 10 the CON
| CluSion that tine said park should and
| must be further extended along the banks
or Rock Greek TO Pennsylvania avenue.
| III not TO the nver. In such extension (as
| suggested TO me by Capt. FiebegerD the
| boundaries thereof TO be esta blished should
follow, as far as practicable, the lines
| Of the streets now established, that Is
| 10 say. Beginnlng On the east line at the
| corner OF Q and Twenty fourth streets
| and in a straight line thence TO the cor-
| uer OF twenty ty-second and streets, thence
| south along TWenUy-SeCond street to
| street; thence west along. y street to
| 1~enty-i1fth streets; thence south along
| Twenty-fifth street about 300 feet: thence
| IN a straight line to the corner of Twen-
| ty-sIxth and M streets: and thence south
| avenue.
II is true that since the publication of
| said report there has been large amount
or Tilllng along the banks OF the creek. but,
from d recent eXamin alton, do OF think
! Uhat such 1illlng VIII interfere with the
plans for terracing the banks of the creek
and the construction OF the proper drives,
| cycle paths and walks, except, possibly,
az one OF two points, from which the sur
pins earth could be easily removed.
| The advant age OF this plan of creating
| a park or the present vacant and des oiate
| space between the populated regions ON
elIher side or the creek, over that of
| Tlllng up and extending the streets over
IL, Is that IN the one case the beautiful
| park would render the vicinity thereof
| the most healthfui and desirable location
Drlk1fe 10 aff
| none but the cheapest tenements, TO
| be occupied by the least desirable class of
our population, would be constructed upon
tie area OF filled ground, and would prove
damage rather than benefit TO the
adjacent property. l venture the asser-
| ton that the contlnua ton OF the Rock
| Creek Park system to Pennsylvania avenue
| would result in such an increase OF values
10 the private property to the east and
| 70 Che west thereof as to create an in
| creased revenue from the taxes thereon
land.
The estimated cost under cond emnation
OF the land along Rock Creek from sire ct
TO fennsyiFania avenue, l 100000 square
fee1, by Capt; FL IFiebeger, was S892,76O.2O
IN January, 1893, when values We're large
iy speculative and a their highest: where
as at the present time, in all probability,
NO jury or Condemn alton would estimate its
value at more than 100000
/ ask of you careful study of the
aforesaid rerort and examination of the
present Condition of the region and its
relation TO the sanitation and property
rights Of that part of the city, and that
You may reach an early determination
OF the plan or policy to be pursued in
relation thereto, 10 the end that in your
! Forthcoming annual report you make such
recommendation to Congress as the stua-
ton may require. / respectfully submit
that by reason of the large population
Contiguous to the valley of Rock Creek
between said points, the consideration and
deteFmnatio of its future, and its inn
provement in accordance Herewith, is of
far greater importance than that of any
other contemplated improvement, not ex-
ceptng the street extensions or the re-
clamation Of the eastern branch of the
Potom nc.
1t is submitted that any further delay
in the premises viii only complicate the
situation, and render its solution more
difficult and costly.