Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-15
LOCAL PARK SYSTEM
Hearings Begun by Senate Subeom-
mittee.
SUGGESTIONS OF FRANKLIN h. SMITH
His Plan of improvement Would
Cost Many Millions.
PROPOSES A TRIP ABROAD

Mr. Franklin H. Smith, proprietor of the
Halls Of the Ancients in this city, was to-
day before the subcommittee of the Senate
committee on the District Of Columbia
which has been directed by a resolution
of the Senate to report to Congress plan
for the development and Improvement of
the entire park system of the District. Mr..
Smith said his plan for the beautifying of
the capital would cost from So, ,0O0, COO to
$50, ,0OO,0 900, to be spent in twenty years.
He wanted the subcommittee to go to Eu-
rope with him and visit various cities
where ideas could be obtained for appli-
cation here, and he also wanted to have
suggestions invited from every one for
the beautifying of the city, the commit
tee to make a final selection from all
plans offered. At the conclusion of his ad-
dress he made formal application to be
appointed as the agent of the District COM
mittee to draft plan for the beautfying
o. the city.
The subcommittee to make the investiga-
tiOn into the park system of the District
consists of Senators Mcmillan, Gallinger
and Martin. Senators Mcmillan and Gal
linger We're present at the hearing held
today.
must go to Europe" said Mr.. Smith, in
opening his remarks. He said he could not
present the committee set of plans that
would convey to it's members SO clear an
idea of what might be done in beautifying
this city as could be had by visit to the
centers of Europe. where the most artistic
works are to be found.
Architects today he said, originate
nothing. Architecture today is simply a
composition of the past
Senator Mcmillan, who has Travelled eX-
tensively abroad, told Mr.. Smith he had
been to every place he had referred to
abroad, but he couldn't see the advantage
that would come from having the commit
tee visit those places. His idea was that
the committee should make use of the
knowledge of other people who are art
specialists in ernining what should be
done.
.,,r. Smith then continued to say that he
would favor inviting people throughout the
country to send in plans or any idea for the
beautifying of this city. Some unknown
young man, he said might send in a draw
ing that would surpass anything else that
would be offered
Opposed to Memorial Bridge.
He said the idea of memorial bridge
was mistake; bridge was not proper
form for a memorial. Above all he did not
want to have a bridge with a draw He
thought it would be wise. for the govern
nent to purchase all the wharf property
have a bridge without draw.
Mr. Mcmillan said he thought there would
be very strong protest against such a
plan on the part of the people of George
town, and Mr.. Charles Moore, clerk of the
committee. said that on average 24O
vessels requiring the use of a draw go
above the proposed site of the memorial
bridge every year.
Mr.. Smith then spoke of the availability
of concrete for the construction of many
works that will be required in the plan for
adding to the beauty of this city and it's
surroundings. He wanted to have the land
on the south side of Pennsylvania avenue
between the Capitol and the treasury build
ing purchased and made a part of the
mall. He wanted the banks of the Po-
tomac treated in artistic manner and
Potomac Park made beautiful.
His plan would require an expenditure of
from SO, 100000 to $50 OC0, eco in the course
of twenty years. In other words he said
the annual expenditure Of the United States
for this purpose would not be greater than
what has been spent by the state of Mas
sachusetts alone in perfecting her system
of parks. Massachusetts, had condemned
property and held it until it was needed
and that was what he thought should be
done here.
The government could borrow money at
per cent. and property along the south
side Of the avenue would pay per cent
until the government wanted to use it. All
that land could be bought for IS 900 OOO
and he thought it should be acquired at
once.
Mr. Smith outlined in a very general
way a plan for placing public buildings
in the mall in such a way that they would
all be accessible to the Executive Man
sion and be in beautiful park
Speaking of the trip he proposed for the
committee to make in Europe Mr. Smith
said the International Company was after
a subsidy, and he had no doubt that COM
pany would gladly give the committee COM
Elementary tickets for the trip across the
Atlantic.
My late Colleague might have something
to say about that remarked Mr. Gallin-
ger laughing, his reference being to Sem
ator Chandler
Beyond Scope of Inquiry.
Senator Mcmillan said that Mr. Smith
had gone far beyond his ideas of what the
committee could properly recommend.
They wanted a plan for improving the sys-
tenn Of parks and incidentally to consider
the location Of public buildings. He said
it was possible that something could be
done about the south side of Pennsylvania
avenue, as the general feeling has been
that public buildings should be placed
there from the Capitol to the treasury.
Mr. Smith then requested that the COM
mfttee select him to get up elaborate plans
embodying his ideas, and that he be pro-
vided with an allowance for the expense
that would be involved in such work
Senator Mcmillan said that proposition
would he taken under adyiSaroopt