The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-01-15
Looks More Favorable
for Getting Rid of
Great EyeSore.
District Commissioners
Viii Report on Cost
of Project.
Report of Hearings Be-
fore Committee Given
Out.

eonEress has al last become interest
cd in The project 20 reclaim Jhe Ana
costa flats. that region which has FOR
long time been described by the ply
sicians of the city as one ot the great
est disease breeders iu the District. and
has been regarded by all lovers or the
National Capital as one OF the greatest
eytsores in the HeighbOrhood OF Wash
ington.
50 apparent is the opportunity Ia have
Congress take steps 10 remove the
swamps known as the AnacOsua flats.
that the District Commissioners. AT the
suggestion of Congressman, will ia the
near future compile "a report 10 Con-
Eress, giving the estimated cost Of such
an Improvement.
IN the hearings given by The District
subcommittee OF the House Committee
ON Appropriations. made public TODAY.
there appears a collOquy between Com
missioner Macfarland and Representa-
lives Gardner or Michigan and Burleson
Of Texas in connection with the prep
aration Of the District appropriation
bin. showing that those two members
or Congress have begun 10 see The value
OF the Improvement
Discussion of Project.
portion OF the discussion 81 the
project, which would cost several mill
ion OF dollars. Is as follows:
Mr.. Gardner-speaking OF the Ana
costa flats, 1 have a good deal OF in
terest in that In way, and 1 would
Ike 10 ask whether or not You have
ever had report from competent ply
sicians as 10 their effect upon the health
Of the inhabitants of the city parIicu-
larry from that section-I mean an Of
fcial report?
Mr. Macfarland-The Medical Society
OF the District of Columbia has made
such reports. and physicians have over
ana over again made such public state
ments in writing Z suppose it Is Just
as well ascaFIaiued "a any one OIher
senerdl fact that We know.
Mr. Gardner-lJ strikes me that the
report OF medical commission would
be almost as important as the report
OF the legal commission. one would be
oa the title 20 the land, and the other
as 10 the health OF the city.
SIR. Mactarland-So far as j know.
that has been the unanimous opinion
OF our physicians here 10 has been
stated over and over again in the meet
lngs Of the Medical Society. and OF the
Board OF Trade, and other citizens or
EHnlZauons OF which physicians are
members, and in incidental ways BY
many physicians / do not think IL has
all ever been gathered up, however, In
one specific report
Mr. Gardner-In that case il is not as
effective as "a specific report would be.
mcfarland FavOrs Report.
AR MaCfarland-I shall be- very glad
indeed 10 have an official report OF that
kind made, and shah submit il. on the
score of the appearance of that neg
lected region there is an argument which
Is very strong 10 my mind. IL is a
most UnsighIly entrance 20 the National
Capital
Mr.. Burleson-whaJ do you estimate
IL would COstT
Mr.. Macfarland-We have no Official
ngures except an estimate OF Si,SOo01o.
which is based upon estimates by the
engineers under the chief OF engineers,
and upon estimates made by the senate
Park Commission which took that up
Ia connection with the park system or
The District
Commissioner Macfarland submitted a
statement from Health Ohncer Wood
ward, which SAYS;
"Omitung from consideration the
value OF the reclaimed land and the
increased revenue 20 be derived from
the increase I'm the taxes upon the land,
the value OF which viii Ice Increased by
the Improvement, there are TWO reasons
why the AnacusJiz flats should he re-
claimed. First. 10 improve public
health; second. 10 abate "a foul, pestifer-
Gus nuisance
Improvement Ia public health from
the reclamation of the Anacostia Hats
may be expected through two channels
one the diminished prevalence OF ma
lallal Infection. the other the Increased
physical stamina ut persons living la the
vicinity. Unfortunately The extent OF
the Improvement that may be- expected
through either channel cannot br rsti-
mated from any figures now avail