Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-21

resident public. This must be augmented
and added to, from time to time, In order to
keep pace with the demands and natural
expansion Of the patronage. Owing to the
extent and character Of the improvements
already made. 1t is practically impossible
for our small force Of foresters and gar
deners to make any improvements of a per-
manent character. and their time is now
practically consumed in making repairs to
existing improvements. Therefore, I re-
specially urge the consideration of the
following recommendations. which contem-
plate appropriations by Congress:
Il recommend the approval Of an allot-
ment by Congress Of $4,000 for the pur-
pose of cutting out the underground and
cleaning up the surface of Hot Springs
Mountain Reserve West Mountain Reserve
and North Mountain Reserve by the re-
moval Of surface stone, dead and decayed
wood. wild vines and underground of all
kinds, trimming up trees and the evening
up as far as is practicable Of the ground.
and. raking the entire surface, in order to
add to the natural beauty and picturesque
ness of these mountain parks, rendering
them attractive instead Of the rough and
uneven wildwood they present at present.
beg to state that the foreground of Hot
Springs Mountain has been treated in this
manner by the employment of our force at
odd times, and what has been accomplished
adds greatly to it's recreatfve features as a
park. These mountains are now accessible
by means of our new roads and mountain
footpaths, and are greatly enjoyed by
pedestrians and carriage and horseback
PARTIES who are constantly expressing sur
Prise that more Of the surface Is not clean
ed up in proper manner.
Another important matter which I think
requires the consideration Of the depart
raent at this time Is that of paved cutters
completed and those already provided for
are all that Is required so far as the roads
themselves are concerned, but the absence
of stone cutters to carry the drainage and
wi YlnI q m W "a
roads and result in much damage and I'M
slightly and even dangerous gulleys along
the banks bordering the roads. If they are
paved with cobbleStone, foated in cement,
entire protection will be obtained and no
further trouble will ensue from this source
AS the roads will never be complete with
out this protection, recommend an appro-
priation by Congress sufficient to pave
cost of 30 cents per foot, will require
s11.OsS
Filling Up the Lakes.
II desire to renew my recommendation Of
last year for an appropriation of $1,000 for
filling up Wilmington Reserve Park lakes
with earth and converting them into part
Of tho park proper. The impracticability
of continuing them as lakes becomes more
and more apparent on account Of the lin
tied -apply OF water. which is not sufficient
at all times of the year to prevent a GER
the original construction Of these lakes
should be rectifed. and thereby add to the
usefulness of the park and healthfulness Of
that portion OF the city contiguous to them.
II respectfully recommend that all gov
eminent buildings be painted on the ex-
terror in bright. ornamental and durable COL
ors and painted and decorated in the in
terror where necessary. which will greatly
improve the appearance and add protection.
The buildings Of our department appear to
disadvantage in this respect in contrast
with the bright and well-preserved build
ings Of the United States hospital controlled
by the War Department. and if thoroughly
painted in uniform colors would add much
to the adornment Of this reservation in a
general way and keep pace with the i'm
provements made by our lessees, who make
this feature an attractive and prominent
one. 1 respectfully recommend an appro-
priation of 81 600 for this purpose.
81 respectfully renew my recommendation
heretofore made for sale Of the remain
ing unsold government lots. There are LOT Of
these lots and their retention is in reality
somewhat of an injustice to the city Of
Hot Springs. as most of them are suburban
lots and do not bear their burden of taxa
ton and further. obstruct the building OF
sidewalks. I suggest that they be reap
praised and sale ordered for March, 1904,
as 1 am of the opinion that they will bring
a better price at that time than any other,
owing to the large number of visitors who
will be here then and will probably become
r,Ircha Sers of some of these lots"