Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-30
Commissioners Favor the Ex-
tension of Park Place.
REGARDED AS IMPORTANT
Thoroughfare on Western Boundary
of Soldiers Home Grounds.
OPENS UP MUCH PROPERTY
Opposition to Bills Providing for the
Extension Of Harvard and
Oak Streets.

The District Commissioners today took
action on plans for the extension of sew
eral streets in the District They recon-
mended to Congress adverse action on
bills providing for the extension of Har-
ward street from its present eastern term
mus eastwardly to 9Th street, and for the
extension of Oak street northwest. They
also submitted to Chairman Smith of the
House District committee the draft of a
bill providing for the extension of Park
along the west side of the Soldiers Home
grounds.
Lapse of Enactment.
Regarding the extension of Park place
the Commissioners say in their letter:
The proposed bill is a reenactment of
an act of Congress, approved March 1.
1907. This act authorized the extension
of Park place northwest, and directed that
condemnation proceedings should be in
stituted within ninety days after its pas
sage. Owing to the large number Of street
extension bills passed during that year
and the legal work involved in presenting
them to the court, the necessary steps to
institute these proceedings were not taken
within the ninety days, and by a decision
of the courts 1t has been held that such
IL
is therefore necessary to reenact 1t in
order that the street may be extended.
Park Place Extension.
1.-The proposed extension will provide a
highway forty feet wide on the west side
Of the Soldiers Home grounds from the
Rock Creek Church road to the Wash
ington city reservoir. and will be of ad-
vantage to the property in the locality,
as it will provide a thoroughfare upon
which buildings may be erected facing
the Soldiers Home grounds. 1t will also
be a benefit to these grounds. in that
houses will front the grounds instead OF
being constructed SO that the rear portion
overlooks the grounds. which condition
would be both unsightly and objection
able.
1.-THE portion of the highway already
dedicated is about LOO feet in length,
and the proposed extension would be 1890
feet. The area of the extension is about
$1,000 square feet. The estimated value
$4,000. and there have been recently
erected in the line Of the highway two
houses, estimated to be worth about
$4,000. These would have to be moved or
torn down to provide for the highway.
THE Commissioners regard the extern
sion of this street as an important public
measure, and would request early and
favorable action on the BILL
Extensions Opposed.
In recommending adverse action on the
bill for the extension Of Oak street the
Commissioners say I'm letter to Chair
man Smith:
"In report to you under date of Janu-
airy 16. 1908. the Commissioners recon-
mended the extension of this street. Since
that report was made an extension of
street called Meridian place. lying just
south of the proposed. extension of Oak
street, has been dedicated and this street.
for all practical purposes, would take
the place of the proposed extension of
Oak street. A map is inclosed, showing
the conditions. the proposed extension Of
Oak street being shown in red
The Commissioners do not believe there
is any present necessity for the proposed
extension of Harvard street according
to the letter sent to Chairman Smith. 1t
is also pointed out there Is pending before
Congress a bill for the extension of CO.
lumbia road, and if that Is passed it will
provide ample mems OF access to the new
reservoir and to the eastward.