The Washington times., 1902-05-27
Senator Mcmillan Sup
ports Move by Amend
ment to District Bill.
TO IMPROVE POTOMAC FLATS
Michigan Legislator Would Turn Sec
ton Into a Public Pleasure Ground
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson Ex-
tends Hearty Cooperation.

A project for the Immediate improve
ment Of the Potomac Flats Park into q
\ public pleasure ground with handsome
tanned in an amendment to the District
appropriation bill submitted to the
Senate yesterday by Mr.. Mcmillan.
The Secretary of Agriculture is in
favor of such plan and believes ii
could be carried out at low cost. He
offers to undertake the project himself
| if the funds are supplied. The Senate
District Committee. and especially Sen
ator Mcmillan, is also in favor of the
plan.
Would Only Be Temporary.
Such an improvement as would be
undertaken under this appropriation
would be only temporary and pending
the larger plan OF embracing the park
in the great parking system Of the Dis
trict contemplated by the Parking Com
mission.
The amendment reads:
For the Improvement of Potomac Park
south of the railway tracks. $4,000. to
be expended under the direction Of the
Secretary of Agriculture.
A letter from Secretary Wilson show
ing his hearty cooperation in the plan,
mittee yesterday. contained the follow
ing:
The SecTetaly's Letter.
This department is now using about
forty acres OF the ground for an expert
-leniGl garden. and has found the land
we'll adapted TO this purpose. The soil
responds readily to treatment. and a
personal examination OF the work going
ca there yesterday showed many things
OF interest.
81 am strongly of the opinion
that Ii would be economical In the
end to clear of all that portion OF the
ground south OF the bridge not occupied
by our testing gardens and pat it in
grass. and possibly plant portion of
it 10 trees. All that part next to the
water which is now practically up TO
grade could with little expense be made
into a driveway and planted with trees
in such manner as to develop eventually
the idea OF an arboretum. combined
with certain features of experimental
work In grasses and forage plants that
might be carried on by the department
which would be Of considerable value.
There is no question that under such
treatment the land could be made TO
yield sufficient forage for a great many
more head of cattle than are now car
ried on it. In fact, five acres of good
grass would give more food for animals
than the whole tract as 1t now stands.
Could Be Done Cheap.
Il am of the opinion that the entire
tract outside Of the portion occupied by
The department could be cleared OF all
weeds and brush and put In
grass for a sum not exceeding $1,000. II
would probably cost two or three thou
sand dollars more TO make the neces-
sary improvements along the water. so
as TO give driveway completely around
the island.
In our judgment the above improve
mcnts will make II possible for the fats
TO be used by the public. and viii be In
the direction of fitting the ground for
future use as a part Of the parking sys-
TEN OF the District Of Columbia.
Il can only say in conclusion that II
1t is your desire to have us undertake
the work we would be happy to do so.
| providing suitable funds are furnished" ="