Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-03
MORE PARK FACILITIES
Local Views Expressed at the
Capitol.
MRS. HENDERSON'S SPEECH
Gen. Wilson Favors Addition to Rock
Creek Park.
SOME OPPOSITION MANIFEST
Residents Of Georgetown, Mt Pleas
ant and Columbia Heights Pre-
sent Their Claims.
SOME OPPOSITION MANI

The House committee on public buildings
and grounds. OF which Representative
Bartholdt of Missouri is chairman, gave
hearing today various projects proposed
for Northwest Washington. Arguments
were heard In favor of and against the
proposed requirement of 100 acres as an
addition to Rock Creek National Park. and
residents of Mt Pleasant favored the es-
Establishment of public reservations at 14th
street and Columbia road and along the
line of 10th street.
Mrs. ]. b. Henderson, the wife of ex-
Senator Henderson who appeared before
the committee representing the Woman's
18th Street Improvement Association urged
that Congress acquire small parks In the
already built-up portion of the city before
going out into the suburbs. She advocated
the purchase of the tract along 10th street
at the intersection of Florida avenue to be
created into a public park. Mrs Hender-
son claimed that 10th street, wide straight
and beautiful was easily the finest boule-
ward in town and being free from the UNI
signify structures SO common other
thoroughfares. well deserved it's unofficial
name of The Presidents Avenue" She
SAID the association which she represented
had worked hard in the effort to secure a
park at 10Th street and Florida avenue
She thought action should be had at
once. The tract comprised about ten acres
ana could be bought for about half mil
non dollars She believed Ii would be bet
ter to postpone making addition TO Rock
Creek Park IL 1t became necessary SO to do
IN order TO purchase the 10th street tract
Mr. j. b. Henderson, jr., followed Mrs
Henderson In urging the views put forward
by the latter.
DR.. Sewers followed in brief speech
along the same lines He thought q park
such as that advocated should be estab-
lished. 1t would be within walking dis
tance OF the masses of the people who could
not pay carfare or ride In vehicles to reach
a reservation.
Triangular Parks Urged.
Frederick G. Coldren, member Of the
Business Mems Association and resident
OF Mount Pleasant. urged the requirement
by the government of two triangules one at
18th street and Columbia road and the
other at Mount Pleasant street and Park
road. The one at 10th street and Park
road contained 800 square feet and could
be bought, he believed, for about $1,000
The one at Mount Pleasant street and Park
road contained ESQ square feet Those tri-
angles were in an exceedingly unsightIy
condlt1on, grown UP with weeds and brush
and disfigured with real estate signs Park
road. he said although only forty feet
wide, appeared to be much more spacious
thoroughfare. owing TO the action of pub
| lic-spirited citizens who had left wide
parking in front of the building line. In
fact, property owners on that road had
practically established building lines of
their own In order to add to the beauty
of the thoroughfare and it's desirabilty as
place of residence. He called attention
to the fact that Park road was the prin-
cfpal highway of travel east and west of
that section of the city.
He ventured a conservative prediction
that 1900 vehicles Travelled over the road
on sundays and great many on week
days. Property owners affected were will
ing, he said, to stand every cent assessed
against them by reason of the requirement
OF these triangles. None of the persons in
terested In securing the proposed legislation,
he said. was interested in the real estate
aspect of the case. He did not think that
property owners should pay all the benefits
for under that view they might get to-
gether now and buy the whole business
Once acquired. these triangles would cost
hardly S25 a year to keep them in good
shape and would remain public parks for
all time.
Joseph L. Atkins. a resident of that see-
ton of the city, said that unless the tri-
angles were acquired in the immediate fu-
ture small and unsightly structures would
be built up on them The owners OF the
property had been induced to refrain from
building upon the tracts believing that the
prop erty would be acquired by the govern
ment but they were getting tired OF wait
ing ana had announced their intention of
putting up structures on the triangies If
this were done, Mr.. Atkins said 1t would be
blemsh upon the whole locality and very
much of setback to property values II
this fact was not perfectly understood by
the committee he urged the members to
visit the triangles and see for Themselves
James A. Watson of 1901 10Th street par
ucularly urged the requirement of the tri-
angle at 10th street and Park road He
lived there and he could speak from per-
sonal knowledge of the need of this pur-
chase by the government He was willing
to be taxed all due him and a little more
which he believed was the usual practice
In the District IN making benefit assess
ments. Plans had been made three years
ago. he said, to erect a structure on this
tract but public-spirited citizen had
bought it. paying 5000. or $1.66 a foot.
Since then this citizen had paid the taxes
on the property, had constructed a grano-
Hthic sidewalk around portion of 1t. but
would dispose of the property without
making cent. Mr.. Watson thought the
government would not have to pay more
than 50, 500 for the tract.
There wasn't public park within mile
of that spot, Mr.. Watson said, except one
little triangle donated by some public-spir-
tied citizen few years ago. He thought
the people on the hill were entitled to this
proposed legislation.
Addition to Rock Creek Park.
Gen. John NJ Wilson, president Of the Board
of Trade appeared before the committee to
urge briefly but emphatically the desirable
ity of making the proposed purchase Of 100
acres as an addition to Rock Creek Park.
Gen. Wilson called attention to the recon-
mendations of the Board Of Trade In con-
nection with this purchase. 1t would give
more immediate access to the park. and
could be bought at this time at 3 $40 cents
a foot an opportunity that would not occur
again.
He said that no one had the slightest
desire to make any money out of the sale.
but that there was general desire TO pro-
vide for the future grandeur of the national
capital and the comfort of its citizens.
w. G. Dodge of the East Washington
in opposition to the Rock Creek Park ex-
tension plan. Mr.. Dodge briefly reviewed