Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-10

The Commissioners will also be urged to
recommend legislation providing for the
their present termini to the District line.
Mr., Charles w. Ray, in presenting reso-
luton on the subject, said:
1.-THE great need for these streets has for
years existed. and the extension OF 18TH
street to Piney Branch and Of 14th street
as far as it's intersection with the Piney
Branch road has already materially bene-
fitted the Brightwood section.
Fourteenth street should be extended at
least as far as the Military road at the
earliest possible date. not only to reheve
Brightwood avenue from its present con-
gested condition by reason of the enormous
ties which exist for this street for the pur.
pose of opening territory now impossible OF
development and to enable the car line to
be extended north to Br1ghtWood.
The association went on record as oppos-
ing any change in the name of Brightwood
avenue. Mr.. Jacob Xander said such would
cause great confusion, inconvenience and
possibly damage to the taxpayers.
Compact of 1878.
That Congress is not living up to tie COM
pact of 1878 made between the United
States and the District Of Columbia, so rar
as local improvements are concerned was
asserted by Mr.. Lambert. He said that un-
der existing conditions it is imposslDie Ior
the Commissioners to execute the extensix y,s
plans Of Congress which are very pfopeiy
commensurate with the needs OF tiie LAY
at the home of its government, notapiy tne
national system of street extension, tne
great Rock Creek and Zoo parks, the lesser
park system and the extension ph ,anh ara
sewers and water mains, all OF wnlcn are
necessary to meet the demands OF the
United States government In DehaiI VI INC
Greater Washington s .,re
IAN of these requisites, ne aodeo,
very properly upon a national scale OF I'M
portance far exceeding the actual neces-
stiles of the local taxpayers, and exceeoins
also their pecuniary ability 10 ma me ino-
mense cost to be incurred should, 70
greater extent than heretofore, fail upon
the United States. ~.
In baking further on the measure MT.
lambert said: THE effort of our members
should be exercised to remind Congress VI
the fact that these undertakings are ~
very great extent of federal cha[ Az
and very properly commensurate with .Ilo
needs of the nation that they are neces,
sariIy far beyond the ability of the local
taxpayers to provide, and that the apso-
lutte necessity exists, not only IN me hit
terest of the people of the Dlst1ct' ou'
of the United States as Well tnat Con
gress should legally and equitaoiy comply
with the compact made between the Cnl'eu
States and the DISTRICT OF Solu. are
1878, so far as local Improvements az
concerned by paying half of the cost, anu
further, that all extensive ana ha'ioia a AZ
dertakings such as large parks anu .ts
U
he wholly provided for by the Cmteo
States. Their extent and character clearly
indicate that these undertakings are III, M
tional and Congress has determines .ie,1
federal character by directing that the tl.le
to the land thus taken in the name OF the
United States shall be for the beneht OF
the people of the United States Inc peo-
pie of this country undounteoy yoh MIHs
and Improved as it ought to be, so ina.
it may become a credit to the nation ana
it is believed that they do not desire the
expense thereof placed upon a rev t hona
sand taxpayers who happen to reside mere.
We ought to have a loan or BOND Issue
from which large and extraordinary I'M
provements could be made, so that current
revenues could be used for current ex-
penses. ,,
Lambert's remarks.
Park Should Be Accessible.
President Shoemaker addressed the meet
ing relative to Rock Creek Park, which,
In his opinion, should be made accessible
to the people of the District by the judi
cious construction of driveways bridges,
footways bride paths and electric car
lines. The association for several years
past has urged the authorities to carry out
the spirit as well as the declared intention
of the act establishing the park by anord-
ing opportunities for healthful as well as
pleasant exercise and recreation
There is much cleared land In the park
growing up in ugly underground, consist
ing of vines, briars and Objectionable
trees" Mr.. Shoemaker said. why not con-
vert these portions into tennis, croquet, golf
and ball grounds, encouraging thereby the
youth of our community to go out into the
beautiful country and enjoy recrea ton In
the open air which they so much desire and
actually need? There also shelter from
storms should be afforded. music provided
Ito civ
furnish refreshments.
IAN admirable place in the park for the
accomplishment Of these results Is just
south and west of the new reservoir, where
almost one hundred acres Of level land,
practically speaking. can be found mostly
clear, having been under cultivation. Sew
enteenth street extended reaches this spot,
and Mr.. Thomas Blagden will dedicate the
land contained in the street free OF cost to
the government. When 1t is opened for
travel, as 1t ought to have been some years
ago, the electric car line will be extended
from the present terminus at old 10th street
and Park. thence out 18th street, thus en-
abling all of our people-men, women and
chldren-to step Immediately from the car
upon this portion Of Rock Creek Park, and
the ride will not be longer than five min
utes from Park and 18th streets in Mount
Pleasant
This part of the park was known, before
the date of acquisition, as the Crystal
Spring Tract where a large hotel was
constructed and an extensive business was
conducted during and for some years after
the civil war. Here will be found three
large, neyer-faling springs Of the purest
water, while Potomac water can be sup
piled II desired, for 1t Is Immediately avail
able from the new reservoir, adjacent
thereto Here thousands of people could go,
and would undoubtedly go, to enjoy them
selves in a healthful and pleasant manner.
Slight Expense Involved.
There is however. nothing new in this
suggestion. except to name a suitable
place and ask that 1t be carried out, par
ticularly when such slight expense is in
volved and the advantage of having secured
it is so great, for II we go to Baltimore,
iladelphia, New York, Brooklyn or any
other large city, and, indeed. even our small
cities, the extent to which their people en-
joy the parks beyond the corporate limits
is matter of public notice and favorable
comment. Why Is 1t not SO in Washing
ton? / fear it is because our people, from
a public or quasi-public standpoint are too
inert and take SO little interest, except
through the medium of citizens asso-
Citations in behalf of their general welfare
and with reference to those matters which