Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-25
for Rock Creek and they definitely recon-
mend the open valley treatment.
Sacrifice


mend the open valley treatment.
A Sacrifice.
Why should Rock creek be sacrificed to
the dump? Is Congress going to permit
the growth of this nuisance? What is the
matter with the capital city that 1t cannot
dispose of it's refuse in more sanitary ways?
Why should the energy of the nation be
an example to all civilized peoples as ex-
pressed in the sanitation of Havana and
Manila and yet wane so woefully in the
sanitation Of the capital city?
A stream In the heart of city Is Its
greatest beauty If properly treated. ITO
use such a stream" says famous writer
on civics, "as a drain to discharge refuse
into any public place, to emit noisome
odors or dangerous gases is high treason
against humanity. and should De visited
with the extreme rigor Of the law
Every time that Rock creek is crossed
the choking dust from the unsightly dump
are a warning and an irritation. Every
day that the dumping continues the beauty
of the creek is being sacrificed and the
open valley treatment of the creek from
ats mouth to the Geological Park being Jeop-
ardized. Messrs. Burnham and Olmstead
visited notable cities in the old world and
the new to study the successes and to
avoid the mistakes in their plans for the
identifying Of Washington, and as a re-
suit of their study they strongly recon-
mend the open valley treatment Of Rock
method of using its possibilities. They sug-
gest that the driveway from the Potomac
River Park be continued along the creek
to the Geological Park, separated by grade
from the commercial establishments. The
present sordid and disagreeable features
of its banks can easily be overcome by ju
dicious regarding. Intelligent planting Of
trees and shrubbery will make possible
charming paths leading down to the drive
way beside the water, and the difficulties
of the Massachusetts, avenue fill, blocking
the sylvan driveway, can be surmounted,
and the road continue along the windings
of the creek to the Zoo.
The Ideal.
The fundamental idea Of Washington,
Jefferson and L'Enfant was that the capt.
tai city of the United States should be
work Of civic art. The site was chosen as
specially adapted for such development,
and the natural beauty of it's surrounding
hills and winding creek a worthy setting.
Any city can have solid rows Of houses,
but no city planned as Washington was
planned, to grace nation, should have
such a fate.
A bridge at Q street will furnish the
needed means of communication speedily,
plan. Beside the enormous expense of the
$4,522, 4S3 culvert and fill the twenty years
required to complete 1t will mean the doom
of the ancient town. Trees will be sacrificed
slum thoroughfares will dishearten prop
erty owners. and charming building sites
now awaiting development in keeping with
the beauty of the city will be absorbed by
relentless red brick rows.
The open valley parkway plan could
be completed in five years." the bridge at
Q street and parking added at it's western
terminal in less than half the time. Why
should Congress grant costly obridges to
span Rock creek In the open country while
the 10000 Inhabitants of Georgetown,
taxed at equal rate with every other part
connection with the residence section
across the creek
In the treatment Of the city as a work OF
OF single. well-considered plan. The
bridge at Q street is such a step. The pros
perity and beauty of that part of the city
Of 10000 Inhabitants depend upon it's erec-
ton. Let the unsightly dump be turned
freely under airy bridges. 1t is a matter
to be considered by every earnest citizen.
Save the creek. Let each step taken be
to that end. A bridge over @ street will
effectuaily settle the question Of the I'LL.
Nothing can be accomplished without
united effort Let every Citizen interested
in the identifying Of Washington think
about this matter and bring 1t strongly to
the attention of Congress. AS nation we
desire beautiful city as an expression e
our national development; as city. though
or beauty we are bent we have q frugal
mind, and II a bridge costing 100000 will
connect two residence portions Of the city,