Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-18

interested in this plan that when senator's
and representatives become familiar with
the great opportunity that is involved in
this property for beautiful extension of
the park southwark and westward and
when they consider the price at which
the property can be secured their interest
Will be enlisted and that only discussion
will be necessary to secure favorable action
by Congress.
1t is pointed out that when the acquisi-
ton of Rock Creek was first discussed-tt
was desired to have 1t extended as far
south as Florida avenue, but the limita-
lions of money and the fact that specula-
tive activity ran the price of land south
OF the present southern boundary of the
park up 10 prohibitive figure prevented
the carrying out of the project at that
time. The result is that the lower portion
of the creek is partly in private ownership
and with the lapse of time there are por-
tons OF Ii that are apt to be the scene of
unsightly and insanitary conditions The
project for the extension of the park If
realized, Will guarantee the proper care of
this valley, so that 1t will forever be spor-
ton of the most beautiful park that exists
in any city Of the world.
large part of the proposed park ex-
tension lies to the north and east of the
naval observatory The observatory has
been provided with spacious grounds, SO as
to avoid the danger of any nearby condi-
ton which might affect the finely adjusted
Instruments, and the authorities have well
coined every proposition that will still fur
lner protect the observatory from any an
noyance. The proposed park extension, 1t
is declared, will have many advantages and
absolutely no disadvantage for the OBJ
Servatory.
1t is said that Mr.. Clifford Pinchot, chief
of the bureau of forestry, who has tramped
through this section of country, pronounces
1t the most promising land for q natural
park of which he knows. Not only does
the land possess those rugged features that
have made the Rock Cree, Park famous.
but 1t abounds in splendid forest trees that
will be destroyed il the land is not used
for parking purposes.
Estimate of the Cost.
OF this property lightweight acres belong
to what is known as the Thompson syndi-
cate and an option on that land has been
secured by Mr.. Clover at $4,000 an acre
Eight and half acres are in the Wagga-
man tract and are placed at a similar price
That makes the Thompson tract worth
$4,000. and the Waggaman tract $34 900
Then there are about three acres held by
Jackson, Edmonston & Dulaney, trustees
which has been improved by grading and
which faces Massachusetts avenue extend
ed and consequently has been held at a
high price per foot. By effecting an ex-
change Of part OF this tract with land
belonging TO the government on the oppo-
site side of Massachusetts avenue the price
at which II has been held has been prac-
tically cut in half
The possession of this tract will give the
government 1850 feet facing on MasSachd-
sets avenue. Mr.. Glover,s proposition Is
merely to turn these options In which he
has no interest except to continue the work
of park extension, over to the government.
The entire project will call upon Congress
for appropriation of S422 600 for the y912
acres, which is less than the price paid for
the site for the local municipal building
1t Is declared that this land could be read
lily disposed of as a private speculation
and that its future enhancement in value
would probably make it a most profita Bile
investment for the government
Rock Creek Park contains about 100
acres, and it was purchased for 81 200, 900
Ever since the government acquired the
park it has been the wonder of every one
who has visited it, and there has never
been any comment on that undertaking to
provide the city with a great park except
in praise of the project
The fact that this city is not up to many
other great cities of this country and
abroad Is shown by the fact that Paris has
l72,oOO acres in parks London has 1900
acres devoted to parking purposes, and
Vienna has 5000 acres so utilized Berlin
has 5000 acres, Philadelphia 1900 acres
Chicago 5000 acres, and many other cities
have and are still supplying themselves
with parks at great expense.