Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-06

possess; and these should be nodded in
accordance with it's inherent limitations
and potentialities for beauty. Let us hope
that such park may yet be one of the
chief adornments of our national capital.
Col. Bingham's Comments.
Col. Bingham forwarded Mr.. Parsons let
ter to General Wilcox, with the following
comments:
I'm the sundry civil act, approved June g.
1900, The chief OF engineers Of the United
States army is authorized to make an ex-
animation and to report to Congress
the first Monday in December, 1909. plans
for the treatment OF that section of the
District Of Columbia situated south Of Penn
sylvania avenue and north of b street
southwest, and for a suitable connection
between the Potomac and the Geological
Parks and in making such examination
and plans he Is authorized to employ
landscape architect of conspicuous ability
in his profession
"The duty of carrying out this provision
OF the law was assigned to me by letter
from the chief Of engineers, United States
army, dated June u, 1900 7499D. and its
execution at once undertaken. The advice
of competent professional advisors was
sought in order to ascertain what gentle
men We're, without any doubt regarded by
the profession landscape architects of
conspicuous ability BY the Goth of July,
1900, preliminary agreement had been
reached with the firm of which Mr.. Samuel
Parsons, jr., of New York city, is the senior
partner, the firm name being Parsons &
Pen.ecost. Mr.. Parsons at the time
Hi Europe, but the preliminary work of
discussion was completed by the time he
returned, early in August, and by August
~ the work had been definitely assigned
to Mr.. Parsons. Since that date this work
has been vigorously pressed. and l now
have the honor to transmit herewith Mr..
Parsons report, dated November IA, 1900,
fnsra her. !,
detail drawings and perspectives and also
model are still to arrive, which Mr.. Par
sons has been unable to get completed at
this date.
the interest and enthusiasm with which Mr..
Parsons and his partner have approached
the problem presented to them, and think
l. will be evident that the results of their
work are worthy of the capital city of this
great nation and reflect great credit on
both gentlemen.
1.-The plan forwarded herewith has been
prepared under pressure for time. when the
problems involved are considered. For this
reason there are some minor points which
1t is not intended should be carried out
exactly as they appear on the drawings. |
refer to casea where 1t would seem as if
existing buildings were to be removed for
roaaWays. These minor departures from
accuracy due TO the fact that the
draught smen were not personally familiar
with the ground they We're delineatng.
Mr.. Parsons has also insisted from the
be ginning that lie was presenting scheme
only in general outline, and that while his
drawings illustrate the main points of his
scheme, II was Impossible from lack of time
to make it illustrate such final solution as
might be found necessary in minor details.
He refers to this matter in his report.
THE variations of terrain involved in Mr..
Parsons plan are intended to be produced
by earth filing. but he presents no estimate
as to the quantity of filling required. To
obtain this information would require accu-
rate surveys of the whole area involved.
The subject has been gone over in a
general way. however. with Mr.. Parsons,
and an approximate estimate is hereto APP
pended.
THE value of the triangle bounded by
Pennsylvania avenue. 18th street north and
b street north may be estimated at $780,
eco. This does not include the other tri-
angular spaces included in Mr.. Parsons
plan. and these values must be added to
the estimated cost of making the park.
While this is large amount Of money
to spend to produce no financial return. Its
expenditure would. without any doubt,
make Washington city, far and away. the
most beautiful capital of the civilized
world
Gen. Wilson's Enforcement.
Gen. Wilson's letter to the Secretary Of
War; dated November 30, IS as follows:
Il have the honor to transmit herewith
in duplicate a report submitting plans for
the treatment of that section of the District
of Columbia situated south OF Pennsylvania
avenue and north of street southwest,
and for suitable connection between the
Potomac and Geological Parks.
This examination was made in accord
ance with the terms of the act of Congress
approved June g. 1900 Gpubic No. 1881,
which provides as follows:
The chief of engineers of the United
States army is authorized to make an ex-
animation and to report to Congress on the
first Monday in December, 1900, plans for
the treatment of that section Of the Dis
trict of Columbia situated south of Penn
southwest. and for suitable connection be-
tween the Potomac and Geological parks,
and in making such examinations and plans
he is authorized to employ landscape
architect of conspicuous ability in his pro-
fession: for services and expenses incident
to said examination and report the sum of
$1,000 is Iereby appropriated.
1.-The immediate supervision of this work
was assigned to Col. T. A. Bingham.
United States army major, Corps of En-
gineers. the officer in charge of public
buildings and grounds in the District Of
Columbia, and after careful inquiry, Mr..
Samuel Parsons, ir., of New York. land
scape architect of conspicuous ability. was
invited to make study of the section OF
the District of Columbia under considera-
ton and to prepare a plan and report out
lining scheme for park and boulevard
connecting the United States Capitol. the
Washington monument, the Potomac and
Mr.. Parsons accepted the invitation and
brought to the work that genius. energy,
ability and devotion to his profession
worthy of a landscape architect of con-
sD.cuous ability
His report is clear and concise and his
suggestions meet with my cordial appro-
val.
when the subject comes up for action
before the proper congressional committee,
trust that Mr. Parsons may have an OPP
portunity to personally explain more in de-
tail the broad and comprehensive plan he
now submits.
1.-The act of Congress made no provision
for an estimate, but an approximate state
ment of the probable cost of q portion Of
this great work is submitted by Col. Bing-
ham: this. however, does not include the
value of the area required between Penn
syIvania avenue and B street north. nor Of
the area included in Mr.. Parsons plan
south of B street southwest with the inn
provements thereon, nor Of the area with
thereon between 92d and oath
streets deemed necessary for suitable con-
nection between the Potomac and Zoo
logical parks.
I'm my judgment the plans suggested by
Mr. Parsons, If fully carried out, will give
to the capital Of the nation a park system
second to that of no city on the globe.
Commencing the plans and report to the
favorable consideration of Congress, sug-