The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-06-25
ROCK CREEK PARK
IMPROVE NEWT LAGS
FOR LACK Of CASH
Barely Enough Money
for Necessary
Repairs.
HAS NATIONAL FAME
Almost Whole New City
Bull, Up Around It's Con-
fines on All Sides.

In less than week the appropria-
TONS for the fiscal year 1906 will be-
come available. and included in them is
the very modest sum allotted by Con-
sscss for the further Improvement OF
Eock Creek Park. 1t is greatly 10 De
regretted that oUT legislators are either
unable or unwilling to take more lib
eral view of the propriety of improving
this magnificent domain more rapidly
than has been possible with the limited
funds annually placed at the disposal OF
those charged with the work. For Rock
Creek Park in the estimation of COM
petent judges is in most respects su-
reror in natural beauty to Central Park,
Druid IIili Park. and even Paramount
Park, with its rivers meandering
through, and the charming stretches
along the Wissahickon. True much has
been accomplished in our park, but con-
sidering the number of years it has been
given over to Improvement and beauti-
.fic.tion. II has not nearly reached that
stage of perfection which, with more
generous treatment in the way of money
grants, could ana would have been at
tanned.
Of National Fame.
Rock Creek Park is no longer mere
local outing resort. 1t has become as
much of show place for visitors from
all parts of the country as the Capitol
or the Library of Congress. Its fame
has gone forth into all the States as one
of the most attractive spots that Ma
t,ire in her bouHteous mood, has pro-
vided in the neghborhood of any large
city. and thus it happens that people
who delight in scenery such as the park
affords, include always in their local
itinerary a pilgrimage to and through
the highways and byways of Rock
Creek Park. OF course, 1t is the favor
tie ground hereabouts for those who
love to walk, as well as for those who
prefer to ride. and. better than this, its
many shady spots and limpid springs
give each summer incalculable pleasure
to those many thousands. young and
old whom lack Of means or stress of
business prevents from seeking sea-
shore or mountain. What Rock Creek
Park means to these lies beyond the
ken of our lawmakers. Under the leafy
shade of those trees, on the banks OF
that purling creek. many a sick child
has been won back to health, and many
a hard-worked mother has found some
comforting assurance that all the gifts
of Nature are not for the wealthy alone.
Pitiful Appropriation
To anyone not acquainted with the
parsimonious disposition of Congress TO-
ward the District it would seem incred-
ibIe that appropriations for such do
main should be so pitifuiiy small that
they will not even suffice for keeping
the roads and walks In proper repair;
additional macadamizing or other I'M
provements are not to be thought OF.
ONLY $4,000 was asked of Congress for
this park for the next fiscal year, but
even this most modest request was
prl1ned to $500 1t will readily be I'M
derstood that with such slender Tneans
the hands of those In charge Of the park
are practically tied No definite plan
for further improvements can be made
and the few dollars will have to be spent
during the wear as contingencies arise.
Ii was the intention OF Assistant En-
pineer Richards 70 ask for $4,000 for
the Improvement of Rock Creek Park.
With such a sum at his disposal, some
thing notable might have been accom-
p!ished: at least, work might have been
started on some systematic plan which
year after year could have been carried
forward to final symmetry.
improvements Near There.
The owners of property, both improved
and unimproved, in that large area con-
tjguous to the confines of the park are
naturally interested in the march OF
improvements in and around that do
main. Not only the park itself. but the
approaches TO it from all directions have
been the objects of their solicitude. II
is no exaggera ton TO say that every dol
lar spent in the leveling of a road Or
in any other way that makes access &c
II more comfortable or inviting means
hundreds Of dollars to every holding In
its vicinity Nor need the cry be raised
that such increase Of values benefits
individuals only The greater the slim
uIus to improve properties. the more will
the Golfers of the tax collector profit
thereby Millions of dollars have been
spent in new buildings within a stone
throw of Rock Creek Park In the last
ten wears. An entire city may be SAID
10 have sprung up and the end Of thii
exnsnsior is not yet. The completion OF
the Connecticut avenue bridge will
cause building boom beyond the creek
almost Immediately. A number of build.
ing enterprises are even now IN con
templation and II fs a well known fact
in certain real estate circles that 4ooo
deal of capital is awaiting the compile
ton of that bridge in order to be en-
moved in the erection of pretentious
private dwellings and even apartment
houses.
Magnificent Residence.
Architects Wood. Dom & Denling are
about ready to take bids for the resi-
dence they have planned for George
Cabot Lodge son % the Massachusetts
Senator. on Massachusetts avenue. be-
yond Sheridan Circle. IL is going TO be
one of the most imposing and unique
structures in that section of the city
II will have front OF fifty feet, and
will be three stories in height with a
mansard top story. The front will have
an unusual architectural treatment, be-
ing in the Georgian style, with impos-
ing doorway, 6anked by large Corinth-
ian columns The material used will be
red brick with white stone trimmings
Although the house fronts 10 the north
the principal rooms will face to tho
south being located in the rear. There
will be ten rooms. besides four servants