The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1907-04-03
GROUNDS FOR
The CAPITOL
Bill For the Enlargement Well on
Its Way to Final Passage.

of representatives in favor of the en-
largement of Capitol Park noted two
weeks ago, is much more pronounced
at present than 1t was then.
The Fox bill has passed the senate
by vote of 33 to Z. When 1t comes
up in the house, which 1t probably will
this week or next, 1t is believed that
whatever opposition there was will
have disappeared because the members
have come to better realize the neces-
sity of making the improvement now
and because they have learned that the
sentiment of the people of the state
generally is favorable.
Several of the leading daily papers
in Philadelphia have taken the trouble
| to inform themselves of the exact sit
uation with the result that they are all
| heartily in favor of the Fox bill.
In recent editorial article the Phila-
delphia Inquirer, the one out-and-out
Republican organ among the dailies
of Philadelphia, most heartily approved
the measure,
The Republican Philadelphia Press
on Sunday, March 10, in leading edi-
torial said, The present legislature has
a unique opportunity to carry out
great public improvement in Harris
burg through the passage of the bill
introduced by Senator Fox appropriat-
ing an adequate sum TO develop park
east of the state capitol. There should
be no hesitancy on the part of the
legislature to secure now what should
have been secured two years ago.
None Of those who are back of the park
project either connived at or stood for
the enormous expenditure on the capi-
tol; but they have in season and out
OF season insisted that the legislature
meet the situation created by the new
capitol in a progressive manner. And
the legislators should realize that such
park as is contemplated is not only
benefit to Harrisburg but to the state
at large"
In an editorial published Monday,
March II, the Democratic Philadelphia
Record said regarding the capitol ex-
tension bill; There is hardly doubt
that the house will concur in the ac-
tion of the senate. The state Is rich
and can afford to be liberal, especially
If there is money of the taxpayers al
ready on hand to cover more exigent
needs"
The Philadelphia Public Ledger, In
dependent in politics, said in an edi-
torial article published on Tuesday,
March 12; The extension of Capitol
Park, as provided in the bill, which
has already passed the senate, is so
far from extravaganza that 1t is really
measure Of economy. 1t
is sheer waste to erect capitol build
ing and have 1t encompassed by
squalor and desolation. The land be-
tween the capitol and the railroad
can still be secured at very moder-
ate cost, and its addition to the public
grounds ought not to be deferred until
its occupation by the growing industry
of Harrisburg shall make It's acquisi-
ton still more urgent and much more
expensive. Philadelphia has had many
examples of large public improvements
of this kind too long deferred, as in
the failure to reserve sufficient space
around the city hall. The legislature
will be greatly at fault If 1t refuses
the present opportunity to make
really great city of that neglected capi-
tai Of Pennsylvania. Harris
burg in its situation and surroundings
has the making Of most attractive
city. The state has done little or moth
ing for 1t, treating IL generally as a
mere railway station. The present
project is not for the benefit of the
residents alone, though 1t will be
direct help and encouragement to them
in their own civic enterprise. 1t Is
rather duty to Pennsylvania The
present legislature probably cannot re-
cover the money spent on the new
capitol. but it can do much to COM
pensate for the excessive expenditure
by providing such surroundings for
the building as will make it in the
time to come delight and pride to the
whole state"
Not few doubling legislators were
convinced Of the propriety of voting
for Senator Fox's bill by an illustrated
lecture given by J. Horace Mcfarland
in the hall of the house of representa-
tives last Wednesday night.
BY means of more than 100 lantern
slides Mr.. Mcfarland showed how the
capitol at Washington and the capitols
of various states in the Union are sur
rounded by beautiful grounds afford
ing fine views of those great struc-
lures. He also showed the squalid and
unattractive condition of the section
lying Immediately back of Pennsylva-
MAS new state capitol which 1t is pro-
posed to take and clear off
Mr. Mcfarland further showed how
the city Of Harrisburg proposes to give
for this great improvement streets Of
the city amounting to more than nine
acres of land or more than one-third
of all that it is proposed to utilize for
the enlargement of the park.
He also showed how within the last
five years Harrisburg and its citizens
have spent many million dollars to i'm.
prove the city, in building a modern
sewer system providing pure water,
many hundreds of acres of fine parks
and 40 miles of well.paved, clean
streets, of which the legislators, state
officials and employees who spend the
whole or a portion of the year here
have the same use as the citizens of