The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06
GRASS PLOTS CT THE CITY
The Little Parks That Dot the Area
Of the Capital.
Objections to Giving Over Triangu-
lar Spaces for Building Purposes
Views of General Washington
Upon the Subject-InterestinG Let
ters From the First President.

! The parks of a city have been well desig-
mated as its lungs, and. as the breathing
apparatus of the individual is compoeed OF
numerous little cells. each one of which
contributes to his health and comfort, SO
those little green spaces in this towns area
termed triangular reservations, unite in
sending forth u breath of relief from the
parched expanse of houses and streets in
the hot summer weather Moreover, they
drink in the gifts of the heavens in rain
and sunshine, and the magic touch of the
gardener causes them to respond by pour
ing forth their rich treasures of dainty
flowers to gladden. the eyes of the weary
pedestrian, and noble shade trees to guard
him from the intense heat Of the sun. They
voice the coming OF spring, and all sum
mer long they babble of green fields, tell
ing. even though it be in tiny accents, OF
the cool, refreshing rest of the country,
after the hot days work in town is oyeI
Sometimes a fountain bubbles and
FLASHES in their midst, and the hottest and
most perspiring wayfarer feels cooled and
refreshed as he stops to rest upon seat
1t is no wonder that the people of Wash
ington should want to preserve the lungs
of their city intact; that they should jeal-
ously guard each tiny cell from the danger
of congestion, nor that they should desire
TO increase the breathing power of the
parched summer streets by adding new
plots OF cool grass and trees and flower
beds wherever possible.
And so il happens that in MANY hand
some residential portions of the city where
ground that might be converted into tri-
angular reservations is left to run to waste
TO be eventually built upon by its owners
the people living in some of these quarters
have formed a suggestion which they in
tend presenting before the proper authori-
ties. 1t is that the Government compen-
safe the owners of such property, and con-
vert it into public use for the reservations
described.
Endorsed by Colonel Bingham.
The suggestion has already met with
notable encouragement from official quar-
tiers, Colonel Bingham, Superintendent of
Public Buildings and Grounds, having ex-
pressed himself warmly in its favor.
Colonel Bingham says: While my posi-
ton is purely an executive one. and the
plan proposed would first have to meet
with tie approval of the proper authori-
ties believe | concur with every citizen
in Washington in saying that i, would
tend very greatly to enhance tne beauty
of the city. The building upon ground
which is adaptable to public reservations
has become more and more prevalent. and
while the owners have undoubted
-fsrt,f Nt.,.- ..~FN hi
manner | believe it would be to the ad-
vantage of all concerned if the Govern
ment would buy such land for the purpose
described and compensate the owners for
its use"
In view of this plan for the extension
of these triangular reservations it is in
teresting to note their origin and The
Importance in which they were held by
the founders of the Capital. These tri-
angles appear as open spaces upon the
original engraved plan of the city which
was published by the Presidents author
ity in November, 1892.
The following extracts from the CORE
spondence between President Washington
and the Commissioners of the Federal
City sufficiently explain the views which
were entertained at the dates mentioned
with reference to the triangular spaces:
philadelphia, Goth Deer, 1886.
Gentlemen:
with respect to the claim of individ-
ual proprietors to be compensated for the
spaces occasioned by the intersection of
streets and avenues, l should conceive
that they might with equal propriety ask
payment for the streets themselves; but
the terms of the original contract. or ces-
sion. if a dispute on this point should
arise must be required to. for l presume
ipfo nj in
case would avail nothing. But if angles
are taken OFF at these places the case is
materially altered. and without designing
it you make a square where none was
contemplated, and thereby not only lay
the foundation of claim for these angles.
but for the space also which is made a
square by that act.
Il have never yet met with a single in
stance where it has been proposed to de-
part from the published plan of the city
that an Inconvenience or dispute of some
sort has not. sooner or later. occurred.
for which reason l am persuaded there
should be no departure from it. but in
cases Of necessity or very obvious util-
ity
With very great esteem and regard,
I am. gentlemen.
Your most obedt servt.,
go. WASHINGTON.
ington."
The following was written to General
Washington by Commissioner Thornton.
when the former had retired from the
Presidency. and indicates that the ques-
ton of the triangular reservations had not
been settled up to the date mentioned, as,
indeed it never has been since:
City of Washington, May 81, 1893.
"Sir: Finding that the Board of Com
missioners were exceedingly urged by Mr..
George Walker to lay off and divide GER
tain small portions of ground within the
lines of his property. between the inter-
section of various avenues and streets,
which do not appear in the general plan of
the city to have ever been designed for
private occupancy, and perceivng the
Board were disposed to adopt the proposal
declared the measure expressly contrary
to the intention of the late President of
the United States, and accordingly wrote a
formal protest, setting forth the injury
that he city would sustain by admitting a
principle which would induce every pro-
prietor to make similar claims, and re-
quested that the Board would not sanction
the divisions. by signature. until the opin-
ion of the late President should be fully
known if any hesitation remained on the
minds of my colleagues, after the perusal
OF your letters of the 26th of December
1896, and the 27th of February, 1891 Those
letters explain clearly, in my opinion. the
sentiments l have repeatedly heard you
express; but lest your meaning may be
misconstrued, in 4 point so essential to the
future benefit of the city, l request you
will pardon me for making so free as to