Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-11
ROCK CREEK CONDUIT
Report of Commissioners on
Proposed Construction.
PENDING LEGISLATION
CONDITION OF FINANCES A BAR
TO THE WORK.
The Authorities Favor the Project, but
Unable to Recommend Extraor-
binary Expenditure.

QlIdIy
The Commissioners today forwarded to
Congress their report on the proposed bill
providing for the construction of "A conduit
for the waters of Rock Creek from Lyons
mill to a point about 100 feet south of the
south building line OF o street. which has
been before the District authorities for CON
sideration for several months While favor
ing the project the Commissioners state
that on account of the condition of the Dis
tricts finances they are unable to recon-
mend the passage of this bill at present
but that if arrangements are made by Con-
gress to meet such extraordinary expendi-
lures they would favor the enactment of
the legislation.
The report of the Commissioners relative
10 this proposed Improvement has been
awaited with unusual interest by citizens
of the District. and especially those resid
ing and owning property in the vicinity of
Rock Creek and Georgetown. Several weeks
ago four petitions signed by over 20 promi-
pent citizens of the District urging the
Commissioners TO recommend favorable ac-
ton the bill were presented to the Dis
tTict authorities. The petitions urged the
advisability and necessity of the proposed
legislation. In making their adverse report
to Congress Commissioners Mcfarland and
West have both made statements relative
to their reasons for such report.
The General Proposition.
The original report on the measure was
drafted some time ago by Colonel John
Biddle, Engineer Commissioner. The re-
port in substance states that this bill must
be considered on the general question of
what shall be done with Rock creek with
in the city limits. The plan proposed by
the park commission was to treat the val
ley of Rock creek as park throughout
its whole length with driveways along the
edge of the creek. While the Commission
ers deem that this plan would have been
desirable yet they state 1t does not seem
that such plan is very likely to be
ried out, and therefore the better method
of treatment is the closing in of Rock
creek by tunnel within the city limits,
between Q street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. leaving the valley above . street to
be developed into park.
This plan, it is pointed out. has been
partly approved by the construction of an
arch over the creek on the line of Massa
Chusetts avenue. The Commissioners, how
ever, say that they are not prepared at
this date to state that between Massachu
sets avenue and Q street the creek should
be covered In. They prefer. II possible, |
that the park should be extended far
down as Q street. If this plan is followed |
it is stated. all bridges between Pennsyl- |
vania avenue and . street will be elimi |
mated, and Georgetown would thus become
AN integral part of the city of Washing |
ton, which the Commissioners state. ii is |
believed will be to its permanent benefit.
The District authorities state that the cN- |
pcnse of this treatment proposed will be |
? great. 1t is estimated at about 81 ,300Too |
but. they say. it will be permanent i'm |
pToVement and will take the place of a
number of bridges which eventually woIld
have to be constructed. The Commission
consider that the building of a tunnel
for about one-half the length between Q
street and Pennsylvania avenue al cost
of $6jO0OO, as proposed in the bill is a
desirable Improvement. But for reasons
previously stated they unable at this |
time to recommend the passage of the bill |
MI. Macfarland's Views.
Commissioner Mcfarland. in speaking of
the proposed legislation and the reasons for !
the nature of the Commissioners report on
. the bill today. said
Il have held the papers in this case since
the 10th of February. 1904. in order that L
might carefully consider the subject matter
III view of its Importance. l desire very |
much to see Georgetown developed and inn |
proved in every practicable way. / also de- |
sire to see Georgetown united to Washing !
tor more perfectly physically as well as
legally. i therefore advocated the PROPOSE |
ton for a bridge at Q street. which was
strongly urged upon the Commissioners by
representative men and women of George
town. Some of these now support the con-
trary proposition, for filling in portion of
the Rock Creek valley.
II have believed in keeping the Rock
Creek valley Open and as nearly as possible
in a natural state removing, or covering
up with vines and plants, the unsightly re-
fuse dumpings added by man, and con-
-structing high open bridges wherever it was
deSrable to connect the two sides of the
valley. But before | became Commissioner
a different treatment had been adopted
in extending Massachusetts, avenue across
the valley. and l recognize that this has
made il more difficult to carry out the pre-
ar 10
Senate park commission. 10 which | strong
i ~ inclined. l see also the financial and
other difficulties in the way of carrying
out that plan. If, as now seems practically
1t cannot be carried out for various reasons,
so as TO give the picturesque boulevard eff
feet which the Senate park commission pro-
posed. then, in order to correct the parks
and to remove the unsightliness of the
dumping grounds between Washington and
Georgetown and in order to better connect
the two. il seems necessary to approve the
project provided for in these bills
II am willing to do so in the terms of
the report drafted by the Engineer Commits
sioner. | believe that neither this nor any
other new extraordinary project of improve
ment should be authorized by Congress until
ii has made a permanent arrangement such
the Commissioners have recommended
for financing the Districts share of the
cost of such extraordinary projects of i'm
provement.
Mr.. Vests Comment.
Commissioner West commented ON the
subject in the following terms:
Il approve the scheme of constructing a
tunnel by diverting Rock creek. but concur
a. the opinion OF the Engineer Commissioner
that. owing to the condition of the Dis
trict's finances, the Commissioners are I'M
able to recommend favorable action upon
this bill at this time.
III this bill proposed to embark the Dis
trict upon a project involving about $780,
fire Inst tint frpr lan,t.,
steps to establish It's rracticability and as
certain It's cost. l should be opposed to it;
but proper safeguards seem to have been
provided in the fact that no appropriation
f. made available except one of 5000. for
making the boriags and otherwise develop
ing the plans for the construction of the