Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-04

Congress until it has made n permanent ar
TanseHlent. such as the Commissioners have
recommended for financing the District :
snare of the cost of such extraordinary
projects of Improvement"
Engineers Endorsement.
The first Endorsement on the report was
tEat of Mr.. William Z. Richards assistant
engineer, who stated that the nature of the
bin lis TO inaugurate steps toward the i'm
pTovement of the Rock Creek valley with II
the city limits" \ comparison of I
crened ard covered plans of treating has
been embodied in former reports of the
park commission. Mr.. Richards added.
Nv nile that commission favored an open
valley treatment, their conclusions are
based on some erroneous points both as to
cost and as TO the nature of the CT y
through which the creek runs.
1t does not seem reasonable says En-
gineer Richards, TO demand that Rock
creek shall be covered over all It's length
where it passes through the city or tina Z
any work of this nature should be per-
formed in a short time. From a careful
study of the situation | believe that the
Improvement of the Rock Creek valley by
the covered plan is the most desirable and
cheapest in the end. and Congress has ac-
cepted this idea as indicated by the nature
OF the Improvement at Massachusetts ave-
rue over the creek.
The construction of conduit as To-
half the creek length from Lyons Mill to
n street, and will allow the valley to be
filled gradually, without cost to the Dig
tTict.
The high-grade plan of an avenue from
Rock Creek Park to Potomac Park will
eliminate all bridges will afford good 'front.'
age for building, and will, in my opinion.
50 influence the class of Improvements as
10 eliminate the small houses and tene-
mepts now along or near the banks of Rock
creek
Commissioner West in his Endorsement on
the report says he approves the scheme
OF constructing tunnel by diverting Rock
creek. lie stated that he would oppose
the bill. however, If it proposed to embark
the District upon project involving about
tt9U,0J6, without first irstitutng prelim-
mary steps to establish its practicability
and ascertain its cost
But, adds Commissioner West proper
safeguards seem to have been provided in
ire fact that no appropriation Is made
available except one of 5000 for making
the borings and otherwise developing the
plans for the construction of the tunnel"
In another report to Congress- dated
April il, 1904. the Commissioners saw the
general question to be considered is What
shall De done with Rock creek within the
city lmits?' / is contended that the-better
method of trea tment is the closing in of
Rock creek by tunnel within the city
limits, thar is, for instance between a
short distance above @ street and Penns,-,-
vania avenue, leaving the valley above to
be developed into a park, and below Penn
sylvania avenue to be used for commercial
purposes If this plan is followed il is
added, all bridges between PENNSYLVANIA
avenue and Q street will be eliminated and
Georgetown would become an integral part
of the %ity of Washington, which it is be-
lieved. will be to its permanent benefit All
the streets crossing the creek running east
and west, north and south, will be built
up and will cross without bridges" The
expense of this treatment is estimated to
be $1.3ooo00s "but it will be a permanent