Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-17
SHOULD BE KEPT INTACT
Reasons for Opposing the Sale Of ANY Por-
tion of Potomac Park.
Gen. Wilson's Report to the Secretary
of War on n Senate Bill of
Local Interest.

The bill introduced in the Senate by Mr.
Elkins January 81 authorizing the Secre-
tary of War to sell to Elijah S. Alvord and
Mortimer H. Acheson piece of land at the
extreme western point of Potomac Park on
which the said Alvord and <Acheson have a
wharf, was referred to the Secretary of
War for a report and recommendation, and
by the latter was referred to Gen. Wilson,
chief Of engineers In his report to the Sec
retary of War Gen. Wilson says:
Gen. Wilson's Report.
1 have the honor to return herewith a let
ter, dated the list instant, from the Senate
committee on the District of Columbia in
closing for the views of the War Depart
ment thereon, S. 2SO9, Fifty-sixth Congress,
first session:
"A bill authorizing the sale Of part of
the Potomac Park"
In January. 1893, the Secretary of War
leased to Littlefield .S Alvord, for period
of five years, plot of ground at the foot
of 9th street, in the city of Washington,
and granted permission to the said parties
to construct a wharf in front OF the said
plot of ground. 1t was stipulated in the
lease that, upon the expiration or revoca-
tion thereof. the said parties should remove
the buildings and other property they might
have on the premises within such time as
the Secretary of War might direct.
When the lease expired, January 6, 1898,
an application was made for its renewal,
but the application was denied by the Sec
retary of War. Later on, In April, 1898,
the parties applied for a revocabie license
to occupy the said grounds. and this appli-
cation was also denied. This action OF the
department was based on the fact that Con-
gress, by an act approved March 3, 1897,
had set apart the entire area known as Po-
tomac flats as public park, to be forever
held and used as a park for the recreation
and pleasure of the people; and as the plot
of land formerly leased was embraced
within that area, there was obviously no
power lodged in the Secretary. of War to
grant a further lease. Notwithstanding
this action, however, the said lessees. or
their successors, continued to occupy the
premises.
In accordance with an order made by the
Secretary of War July T. 1899. the parties
were notified that they must yacate the
premises on or before December 81, 1899.
At the expiration Of that time it appeared
that no steps had been taken to yacate the
grounds, and the matter was brought to
the attention of the United States attorney
for the District of Columbia, with view
to having the necessary legal proceedings
instituted against the parties.
The object of the bill under consideration
is to authorize the Secretary Of War to sell
this plot of ground to Elijah 8. Alvord and
Mortimer II. Acheson, who are understood
to be the successors of the original lessons,
Littlefie4d & Alvord.
The area of Potomac Park Is about 7:S9
acres, of which about col acres are re-
claimed land and about 11S acres are of
tidal reservoirs or ponds borlered by the
reclaimed land and stone walls constructed
by the United States. Congress having set
apart this area as park for the pleasure
and recreation of the people, it is believed
to be incompatible with the public interest
to sell or lease any part of it to private
parties. All the area will be needed for
park purposes, particularly the upper end,
where the proposed Memorial bridge is to
cross. and where there is not any too much
park room now.
Moreover, the grantees under this bill are
not the only ones occupying without au-
thor.ity of law portions Of this park area.
There are six other distinct persons and
| firms occupying for private business pur-
poses portions of this area. Notice to va
cate was served on all of them, but no at
against them has been recommended.
Doubtless each of them would be willing
to purchase the ground occupied, and
doubtless each of them has as much claim
upon Congress for the passage of a law
permitting such purchase as the grantees
| under this bill. Should the bill become a
| law it would not only result in diminishing
| the park area, but be used as basis for
| further appeals to Congress Of the same
nature.
If the design of Congress, enunciated in
I the act of March 3, 1897, to make Of this
area public park, is to be carried out
am of the opinion that the area should re-
| main intact, and consequently that this
| bill should not receive favorable conSidera-
| ton.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN NJ. WILSON,
Brig. Gen.. Chief of Engineers. U. s. A.