The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1907-01-30
GREAT PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENT
Extension of Capitol Grounds at
Harrisburg Prime Necessity.
MUST BE NOW OR NEVER
Opportunity to Secure Proper Setting
For Splendid State House Will
Never Come Again.

Harrisburg, Jan. Is. - During the
present week bill will be introduced
in the upper house of the state legis-
lature by Senator John f. Fox TO pro
vide for the enlargement of the
grounds surrounding the new state
capitol by clearing off all the buildings
In the section lying between the pres
ent capitol grounds and the Pennsyl-
vania railroad and extending from
Walnut street on the south TO North
street on the. north.
This tract which contains about IA
acres of land. exclusive of the streets
which intersect it, will more than
double the size of the park.
More than 10000 persons, since the
capitol was dedicated in the presence
of the president of the United States
on October 4 last, have come to Har-
risburg to see it.
1t is safe to say that not one OF these
10000 men and women from all parts
of the commonwealth failed no note
that the grounds surrounding it are
inadequate for the magnificent capitol
which has cost the people of Pennsyl-
vania about S19,00O000.
Whether the capitol has cost too
much and whether the money has been
honestly and providently expended arr
questions that will be determined OH
cially during Governor Stuart's admin
istration. But whatever way those
questions are answered, the fact re-
mains that Pennsylvania has the most
beautiful, the most digniied, the most
magnificent state capitol, externally
and internally, of any state in the
Union.
The people who are acquainted
with the conditions in Harrisburg, I'M
derstand that if the new capitol is
ever to have a proper setting In
grounds commensurate with and
worthy of the building and of the great
commonwealth containing 100000
people to whom this building belongs,
now Is the time to secure it.
The territory which it is prosposed
to take is covered, generally speaking,
with poor, small, cheap buildings. II
is estimated to acquire the whole sec
ton. clear it of buildings, will cost not
more than S1,500,00O; but these condi'
tions will not continue.
The land lies adjacent to the main
tracks of the Pennsylvania railroad
and if the state does not take the
property it is inevitable that in very
short time it will be built up with
great warehouses and extensive manu-
factories.
Then the opportunity to secure it viii
be gone forever and Pennsylvania
splendid capitol will be absolutely shu
off from view from the east as Phila
delphia's $25,OO0,O0O city hall is nov
hemmed in. shut off and dwarfed b!
= great buildings.
Millions of passengers pass through
Harrisburg every year on the Pennsyl
yania railroad without leaving the carr
to walk about the city II the pro
posed extension of capitol park is mad
they can all get a splendid view o
{ the magnificent capitol as they pas
through on the train.
You readers, practically all of whom
5 will pass through the capital city som
r day, do you want to get fair, com
prehensive view of the state hous
that has cost the people $4,000, 900 a
you pass, or do you want to catch
glimpse of it through some narrow