Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-04
ing the hscai year 1908 II estimated at $1S-
600. which ID the amount that was appro-
l~priated for the year 1907

ing the ascaf year 1908 II estimated at $1A.
600, which b the amount that was appr0-
"priated for the year 1907.
Sixteenth Street boulevard.
The Commissioners again urge the desir-
ability of legislation with the object Of pre-
serving 18th streets as q permanent resi-
dence street and the limiting to still
greater degree OF the height Of buildings
tlong that thoroughfare. The development
OF 18th street a. q great boulevard 10 de-
serving of the most careful consideration
length are extremely desirable. There
seems to be prospect Of the establish
ment of large park ON the hill north OF
Florida avenue, and Congress at its last
session provided for two small parks far
Their out. which are now being acquired.
The Commissioners again invite attention
to the desirability Of extending throughout
the District the system Of small parks
such as now exist within the city limits.
When the city Of Washington was estab-
lished parks and reservations were laid out
in the city, but beyond Florida avenue, the
old city boundary, practically no such parks
exist. With the exception OF Rock Creek
Park, bought about ten years ago, prac-
tically nothing has been done to extend
beyond Florida avenue the system applied
SO successfully In laying out the city. me
beauty of the city Of Washington, as well
as the health Of its inhabitants, depends
very largely upon these parks, and 1t would
seem extremely desirable that system or
parks should extend throughout the Dis
trict as it Is built up. Immediately out
side of Florida avenue In such localities as
Columbia Heights. Washington Heights.
kalorama Heights, Mount Pleasant. etc.,
the necessity for the establishment OF such
parks Is very apparent as these sections
are rapidly building up, SO that the amount
of vacant ground is becoming smaller each
year. Immediate action in this matter
would seem desirable.
Steps toward the establishment of a gen.
eral park system throughout the District
similar to what Is being done by almost ev-
cry large city in the United States should
be undertaken as soon as practicable, espe-
cially as to the purchase of the necessary
land. Every citizen Of the United States
must be interested in the beauty of WASH
fngton and in keeping up the high standard
set by those who originally laid out the
city.
Commissioners Would Control Parks.
The Commissioners again recommend that
the system of parks in the city of WASH
ington. exclusive of the grounds around
the White House and the government build
ings be transferred from the chief Of en-
gineers to the Commissioners. or to q board
Of control such as that which has charge
Of Rock Creek Park. and which consists OF
the chief of engineers. United States army,
and the Commissioners. The cost Of main
tanning these parks is borne. one-haH by
the citizens Of the District Of Columbia
and the other half by the United States
government; and it would seem but proper
that the Commissioners. who are response
BILE for the collection of District revenues
as well as the recommendation of their
judicious expenditure. should have the con-
troll Of estimating for and the expending Of
funds on these parks. The Commissioners.
in preparing their estimates to Congress,
have to take into consideration the amount
of the District revenues and to base their
recommendations upon the necessities of
the case and the amount of money avail.
able. In doing this they are very often
compelled to forego some necessary public
improvements by reason of the fact that
the revenues at the particular time do not
warrant such expenditure. The estimates
for parks. however. are made up under the
direction of the chief of engineers, United
States army, who has immediate knowl-
edge of the revenues Of the District and
who cannot therefore base his recommen-
dations upon the amount of money that
can be reasonably expended for park pur-
poses. If the control of the parks were
under the Commissioners. however. the
park system could be considered together
with other public improvements and the
parks given their relative share Of the
money available. Very respectfully,
HENRY B. F. MCFARLAND,
HENRY L. WEST.
JOHN BIDDLE.
Commissioners Of the District of Columbia