Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-04
ROCK CREEK PROBLEM
Renewal of Interest on Much
Mooted Question.
BRIDGE OR A TUNNEL
RECENT HEARING BEFORE THE
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.
Measures Now Pending Before Con-
gIess Oh the Subject-Reasons
For and Against.

The recent hearing before the District
mmissoners on what is known as the
Rock creek problem has caused a renewal
OF interest in the pending propositions for
The solution of that problem. Two plans
have been submitted to the Commissioners,
and two mea sures, covering both projects
are pending before Congress. The general
purDort of the dual propositions is as TO
the best method of beautifyiag and i'm
proving Rock creek and its valley, and
providing better means OF communication
between that section OF the city, formerly
Georgetown. and Washington proper.
One of the projects proposes the con-
struction of bridge across Rock creek at
- street, and the parking in terraces of the
valley, in accordance with the park COM
mission plans. The other IS the construc-
ton Of a tunnel from the intersection Of
18th and o streets to 18th street extended
lyons MilD. through which Rock creek
shall run, and the filling in of this part IF
Eock Creek valley. The most serious OBJ
iections urged against the latter plan is
Its cost and the length of time that will
DC required for IFS completion. as well as
The destruction of the natural beauty of
the valley, which the adherents of the
bridge plan claim can be made a pictur-
esque and healthful feature Of West Wash
-i1gton, provided the plans OF the park COM
mission, or others OF the same general
nature, are carried out
The open treatment proposed in the re-
port of the commission was Ito improve
the present open channeI. of the creek re-
grade its banks and improve them for pa TX
purposes. and to construct roads and pa this
within the park thus formed. spanning the
valley by frequent street bridges to provide
close connection with Georgetown This
proposition originated with the Board Of
Trade. December II, 1899. il is stated.
opponents OF the tunnel plan urge that
II VIII practically obiterate Rock Creek
valley within the city limits at great cost
for the large concrete and masonry funnel
or culNert. Objection was made to this
plan after the report of the park commits
SION had been made. because it suggested a
land scheme, the report providing for a
parkway or boulevard upon a norton of
the filed land and "subdividing the re-
mainder into streets and lots for sale"
Open Valley Plan.
Referring to the open valley plan the re-
port states that the present valley. which
has been narrowed by the constant DUNN
Ing Of Garth over its edge. would be wild
cned by excavation at the restricted points
10 a semblance of its original form and
clothed with turf and trees. while the
necessary provision for business traffic and
Tor building frontage would be made by
border roads on level with the existing
streets II would appear that the open
NalieN PROJECT would afford the more salts
tory parkway. and that its cost would
certainly be much less than that of the
CulVcrt plan
Commissioner Macfarland favored the
tunnel plan during the last session of Con-
srtssi out recently 1t is, understood he has
experienced & change of opinion and is now
SAID To favor the building OF a bridge across
Rock creek at q street In his renort ON
this matter April g. 1904. shortly before the
gTeSs. he said;
Il desire very much to see GEORGETOWN
developed and improved IN every practi-
cable way. ] also desire to see (.eorgaton-,
united to Washington perfectly nbvsicaIIv
as well as legally. 1 therefore adyocateI
the proposition for o bridge at o street
which was strongly urged upon the Com
missioners by represen tive men and wou-
en- of Georgetown. Some of these now sun
port the contrary proposition for filling in
a portion of the Rock Creek valley.
i have believed in keeping the Rock
Creek valley open, and as nearly as nos
Sibie In a natural state, removing or cover
ing up with vines and plants the unsightly
refuse dumpings added by man, and con-
struetlng high, open bridges wherever 1t
was desirable to connect the two sides of
the valley.
But before became Commissioner.
continues Mr.. Macfarlaud, "a different
Siestment mad been adopted In extending
MasSachusetts avenue across the valley
and ] recognize that this has made II more
olilcult 10 carry out the preferred OR omen
treatment plan OF the Senate park com
mission, 70 which / strongly inclined
see also the financial and other difficulties
IN the way of carrying out that plan, III.
as now seems, practically II cannot be car
fcd out, Tor various reasons, so as to give
the picturesque boulevard effect which rhe
senate park commission proposed, then in
order TO connect the parks and TO remove
Sne uhsightliness of the dumping grounds
between Washington and GeorpeIavsn ani
IN order to better connect the two. II seems
necessary TO approve the project provided
Tor In these bills. l believe that neither
MS kor any olher new extraordinary prof.
Get OF Improvement should be authorized by