The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-04-30
WASHINGTON LETTER
[special Commencement

ISpecial correspondence
The Improvement OF this city on an
elaborate scale in some such manner
as was outlined by the report Of the
parking commission is going on, and
each year some feature or detail is
begun or added to, so that while no
general scheme of the sort has been
adopted, yet such a one is in fact
being carried out.
An illustration is found in current
legislation. Provision is made for
transferring the gorge of Piney branch
into a parkway. The new parkway
will leave Rock Greek park about
where it joins the ZOO park and will
extend east, following the gorge Of
Einey branch as far as the new bridge
over Sixteenth street.
A Picturesque Bit of Scenery.
Of course this strip of parkway, 400
feet wide, with driveways bordering
the stream on both sides, will furnish
an admirable means of communication
between Rock Greek park and such a
thoroughfare as Sixteenth street ex-
tended. There is no question about the
value of the additional means of reach
ing the great pleasure grounds of the
public. At the same time the really
significant thing about it is the fact
that congress by such legislation has
saved forever for the enjoyment of the
public a picturesque bit of scenery,
and it has been possible in this in
stance to accomplish that as well as
provide something practical.
In the plan of the parking commits
sion such a use of the deep ravine
which that section of Piney
branch passes was recommended, and
1t was further suggested that 1t be
continued east of Sixteenth street to
the ground about the proposed munic
lpal hospital building on Seventh street,
and from the latter point the widening
Of one of the streets could be made so
as to provide a continuation of the
driveway through to the grounds of the
Soldiers home.
Rock Creek Gorge.
A somewhat similar undertaking has
also been authorized in the act which
provided for securing the connecting
link in what is known as Park road
and Waterside drive. All the land for
this road, which passes along the east
side of Rock creek from Q street to
the Massachusetts avenue bridge, has
been acquired by the public except the
section through what is known as the
Lyons mill property.
In addition to the space required for
a driveway there is quite good deal
Of land that lies along the creek at the
foot of the gorge all of which is own
ed by the public, so that there will be
no encroachment on the gorge of Rock
creek between these points.
Uncle Sans Stenoeraphers.
The chief clerks of the nine execu-
tive departments in Washington have
Just completed for the first time an ac-
curate census of the stenographic
clerks employed in the various depart
ments. The report of the civil service
commission shows that during 1906
there were 2,653 persons examined for
this service, of whom 1870 were men
and 1888 women. OF these 708 men and
335 women passed, and 410 men and
81 women were appointed The usual
entrance salary was SS40 to $500. The
highest salary which stenographic
clerk can possibly attain is $1,000.
Stenographic clerks in the govern
ment service usually become so useful
that instead of taking dictation they
are employed to dictate. At present
there is a dearth of the higher grade
of these clerks. The total number in
the executive departments is 1858, rs
per cent leaving every year to obtain
some better work,
Military Shooting Range.
One of the largest military shooting
ranges in the United States Is to be To-
Gated in the vicinity of this city. Very
shortly a board Of specially detailed
army officers, headed by Colonel Heis-
ton, adjutant general, will visit Wash
ington for the purpose Of selecting a
site for this big range, where it Is pro-
posed that the regular troops and ma
tional guard organizations stationed
near this city shall be trained In the
use of the military rifle, 1t Is probable
also that within few years Washing
ton will be the place where the annual
military shooting competition will be
held.
Fixing Up the Zoo.
The zoo is now putting on its spring
and summer dress. On account of such
grooming for the crowds to be enter
tanned during the next few months the
grounds and buildings present a scene
of great activity. Many repairs are in
progress. Additions are being made to
the list of exhibits, and general awak-
ening is apparent.
All of the outside quarters for the
animals are being overhauled prepare
tory to putting the animals in them fol
the hot weather. Fresh coats of paint
are being applied in many instances
A new roof is being put on the llama
house.
Weighing the Alaska Bear.
'Why, how you have grown since
saw you last" will be remark which
the Alaskan brown bear, so well known
to visitors to the ZOO, will hear from
the crowds that will stop in front Of
his cage in few weeks. Mr., Alaskt
Brown consented to be weighed few
days ago, after much urging, and hi
tipped the scales at 970 pounds. Las
year his weight was 800 pounds.
Efforts to weigh the male polar bea
hava ca far nrovad futilo Tamntin,