Evening star., 1904-03-22


valuable will be left without recon-
pense of any kind for their outlay. nor will
the community at large be the better for
the transaction.
A Review Of the Case
Mr.. Thomas Blagden, who has been con-
spicuously active in securing donations OF
land for this project. and has himself given
the greatest share of the whole is greatly
interested in the present situation, and, re-
viewing the case up to date today with
Star reporter, said:
This beautiful boulevard destined to be
one of the grandest in the country is act
ually extending its majestic proportions in
uniform width beyond the city limits, and
will ere long form the eastern boundary of
the Rock Creek National Park. The merid-
ian of Washington lies along its exact CEN
ter. and as it extends directly north of the
Presidents mansion, and was one of the
conceptions of the immortal Washington, /
have often wondered ii it should not COM
memorate his name
Originally this avenue extended no
further than old Boundary street (now
Florida ayenue). Through the wisdom of
Congress it was mapped out to reach the
Maryland line. The citizens, foreseeing the
grandeur and beauty of it's destiny. began
twelve years ago to urge upon Congress the
Importance of providing for it. and toward
the accomplishment of this worthy project
many have 1abored most faithfully. 1t was
necessary TO acquire six miles of territory
l60 feet wide. Bill after bill was introduced
in Congress- TO be met with MANY and
many disappointment on the part of the
promoters. At last an act was passed
which provided that if the property owners
along its course would donate to the United
states government 15 per cent of the land
necessary the thoroughfare would be
opened This act became a law five years
ago Surveys were at once made under the
direct supervision of the then acting Engi-
neef Commissioner Capt. Lansing H
Beach, who was greatly instrumental in the
accomplishment of the act, and man be-
loved by every citizen of Washington
Generous Donations.
Capt Beach appointed a citizen ac-
quainted with thcs who would have to
give their land to procure the necessary
donations. The task proved to be not an
easy one. but, to make long story short.
not only did this citizen procure rs per cent,
but 1o per cent additional, to the required
amount making 30 per cent in all The
Commissioners of the District had then to
institute condemnation proceedings for ac-
quiring the lands not donated. This proved
to be a long and tedious proceeding but
fortunat tely for the District the court wise
ly selected jury of our best and ablest
citizens and the result was final ac-
ceptance of their findings
Congress was then appealed to for an
appropriation to improve the avenue, and
$50O8 was provided The Commissioners
acted most promptly and concrete pave
ment now extends to Columbia road. with
macadam roadway, to within few hun
dred feet of Piney branch.
The many who drive out the old Piney
branch road have, for years, read from a
little sign-board. tackled up to a tree at
one of the entrances to the Biagden es-
tate, Center of 10th street This, to many,
seemed absurd and but few could under
stand or believe that 18th street could pos
sibly, if extended a straight line, pass
anywhere near that spot, but now when
they drive out the truth is revealed, for
there. before their eyes. looms up the
stately monument, through the vista made
by the cutting of the trees preparatory to
the approaching Improvement.
The Park Boundary.
This avenue should be considered excep-
tional and should be regarded by Congress
as national in character. for it leads to the
National Park, and. already stated.
bounds the park for distance of four miles
and half, thus affording many entrances
to that most beautiful and picturesque
region.
In this connection through the thought
,fulness and wisdom OF Capt. Beach, one
OF the owners. who, by the way, donated,
with his family, nearly one mile of terri
tory for 10th street. was prevailed upon to
donate an additional mile through the same
property, and along a most beautiful val
ley, which lay at almost right angles with
10th street. so as to make near and ac-
cessible entrance to the park and on an
easy grade. This was acceded to by the
owners. and that roadway has actually
been opened and macadamized from 18th
street to and into the park. connecting the
line of that street with the driveways in
the park. This road is now used, and II
requires only further extension of 10th
street for three-quarters of a mile to bring
/. to this point.
sixteenth street is exceptional for an
other reason-it is absolutely straight-with-
out break from the White House to the
Maryland line.
No Real Estate Project
mo real estate project is responsible for
it's attempted development. Possibly it
would have been better for the citizens and
the country at large had there been
moneyed object in view, as 1t might have
advanced more rapidly.
with scarcely an exception, all the own
ers of land who donated for It's extension
were of the old original settlers. for in
stance the Blagdens. Sauls. Ryans, Cam
erons Shepherds, Van Riswicks Lees and
the Blairs.
"It is no exaggeration to state that it rs
desired by all the citizens of Washington,
as can be shown by petition presented to
the Commissioners last summer, which
reads as follows:
quest that in your annual recommendation
TO Congress for the coming year you do
recommend the appropriation of large a
sum for the further Improvement of 18th
street as you can possibly hope to obtain.
We consider this thoroughfare almost ma
tionai in character. as being on the merid-
ian of Washington, and as being the east