Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-14

vailed
This debauch is now over. Our surplus,
discounted and wasted 20 per cent in the
expenditure, has been disposed Of The
Soldering effect of its lack is now felt in
the necessary cutting and cramping and
stinting of the annual estimates to keep
them within the limits of the probable local
revenues.
Outside of this lapse in the matter Of
street extensions. the boards vigorous and
consistent upholding Of the half-and-half
principle of the Organic Act has had the
most gratifying and encouraging results.
Only one item of the District appropriation
bill. involving nearly seven millions of dol
lars IN Its aggregate, is in violation Of that
act, and this item provides $4,000 for COM
pletion of maps under the highway act.
work begun when that act prevailed and
forbade national participation I'm this
pense. During the year there was entire
absence of the usual effort to overthrow the
Organic Act, and no proposition was made
even to reduce the percentage OF contribu-
ton by the United States. The strength of
the argument in defense of the equity of
the Organic Act is more and more recog-
nized every year. and apparently the Dis
trict is not liable to experience soon the dis
aster of its overthrow, and is threatened
with this danger not so seriously by any
national dissatisfaction with the arrange
ment as by the short-sighted selhshness a
individual citizens. who, in too many IN
stances. seem ready to betray and abandon
principle of vital consequence to tn"
community for some immediate personal
advantage.
Looking Forward.
Next years campaign Of the Board of
Trade will deal with matters of surprising
Importance.
The completion will of course not be
neglected of undertakings already under
way as set forth in this report. such. for
instance, as the securing of more and bet
ter water, development of the comprehen-
sive sewerage plan, the upbuilding of the
public schools, equipment of the public
library with books, and maintenance intact
of the Organic Act.
Especial attention should and doubtless
will be given to
1. Legislation enacting the code.
=. Legislation for reclamation OF the
AnacoStia flats.
B. Legislation aboIishing grade crossings
on equitable terms at small expense to the
District.
4. Legislation providing municipal
building.
>. Cooperation in intelligent and ener-
getic provision for celebrating the centen-
NAL of 1900, including vital feature Of
| the ceremonies the laying of the corner
stone of the Memorial Bridge or other
| suitable memorial structure, previously au-
| thorized by Congress.
g. Building of the memorial bridge as an
| independent project If not adopted as the
centennial memorial structure.
I. A determined effort to develop on
| broad artistic and practical lines the park
| system of the city and District.
The Future City Of Parks.
The parking system of the future Wash
| ington will clearly be of wonderful
| attractiveress. The attention to be given
| to the reservations within the present city
limits will make them health-giving
| breathing places for the benefit of that por-
| ton Of the people who must rely for fresh
| air and natural scenery upon parks close at
hand. The thousands of trees connecting
| making Washington a forest city will be
| multiplied. The reservations themselves
| will be adorned with all the resources of the
| landscape gardeners art, with Towering
| shrubs and plants, also with statuary and
| with fountains, including the exceedingly
| effective electric fountains for which Col
| Bingham pleads. The system of parillets
of the original city will be extended to the
| suburbs, so that the aspirations in this di-
| rection of lexington, Columbia Heights
| and Anacostia Heights may be gratifed
| and enterprising outlying tributary OF
| the capital may have cause to complain.
| The mall of the original city Will be con-
| nected with the new Potomac Park and
form integral and important part of an
the appearance of the mall through disfig-
| uring rair Dad tracks will not, however
be permitted by the public TO be duplicated
| in the case of the new reservation. The lat
| ter will, in pursuance of the declaration OF
| the law be forever held and used public
| park for the recreation and pleasure o.
| the people. Both Col. Bingham and Col
| Allen have taken lively and intelligent
| interest in the subject of the development
| and adornment of Potomac Park. If d
| fraction of the proposed uses Of this area
| are realized the public welfare will be
| wonderfully promoted. The park VIII bt
| Transformed into a Thing of beauty by tbs
| landscape gardeners art an improved and
| enlarged bathing beach and bathing poo
| will contribute to the public health; Tor the
| recreation of the people there Will be pro
| vided base ball diamonds. polo grounds
tennis courts, golf links and special areas
| including piles of sand for the little ones
| upon water basins VIII be ro"poals am
| naphtha launches: here will be laid out II
| ellipse shape a sidewalk, a carriage drive
| a bride path. bicycle path and speed
| way, and incosed within the ellipse will b'
| an area suitable for races and field sports
Tree-lined roads and bride paths will anorC
| attractive viStas of land and water.
| Continuing this system will be the future
| boulevard along urban Rock creek, con
| Meeting the river reservations with the Zoo
| logical and Rock Creek parks. Thence tht
| proposed Fort drive. or some other grea
| avenue across the northern part of The
District will lead to Soldiers Home and th'
| Anacostia Park that is to be.
| Anacostia Park is capable of developing
and doubtless will develop along the line:
| laid down for Potomac Park.
As natural result of the recent Supreme
Court decision the river front, not only o.
| the Potomac Park, but of the city itself
will be developed in usefulness and attract
iveness. In place of the unsightly and dis
creditable conditions which now offend th'
eye along the Potomac front, the natura
results of the uncertainty concerning titl'
which has prevailed, will be substituted
handsome river wall of granite. broad EN-
bankments, stone piers, asphalted streets
bits of parking, curtains, shade trees anC
suitable flower beds.
| Water street must conform in attractiv,
| appearance to Potomac Park on the oppo
site side of the channel, with its shad,
| trees picturesQuely overhanging the water
| The capitals water front lends itself a!
readily to and Is as worthy of adornmen
| as those of London, Paris and Berlin.
| With the completion of the full project o.
the reclamation Of the Potomac flats tn
| railroad will cross the deepened Potoma
| on an elevated structure, clearing the new
| park from rail- Dad obstruction, as we'll a.
| relieving the city from the menace of Lon.
Bridge dam, and both by the reconstruc
| ed Long Bridge and by the Memorial Bridg
that is to be. the park system on the Mary
| land side of the Potomac Will be connected
| with the great government reservation a
| Arlington, rounded out by a boulevard 4
| Mt. Vernon. the survey for which was au
| thorized by Congress in 1889, and whicl
would assume a distinctly national an
| patriotic character as the roadway from
the capital of the nation to the tomb of it
| great founder.
No other labor of the centennial year /