Evening star., 1909-08-18
Before House Committee. !.

The executive committee of citizens an.
peared before the House District com.
mittee January 18 and urged the passage
of the Hemphill bill. There were present
Messrs Crosby 8. Eoyes. A. T. Britton.
Lemon and r. A. Richardson. COMPOSING
the entire executive committee; r. Ross
Perry. James NJ. Johnston, John Joy Ed
son. E. D. Tracey. Capt. T. w. SyInons.
Joseph Paul. w. A. Phillips. p. NJ. Du-
bant, j. ]. Darlington and others.
Mr.. Warner acted as spokesman, and
in urging the passage of the bill pre-.
sented most interesting data and con.
vincing arguments In support Of the prof.
ect: An evidence OF the renewed interest
In the measure. under the stimulus Of the
energetic action of the citizens commit.
tee, was given also in the action of a
| meeting of the citizens Of Georgetown
held January 22, 1850, asking that the
southern limits Of the proposed park be
extended to Lyons mills, il not to the
p Street bridge.
"a committee of citizens called on the
District Commissioners January "a in, the
interest OF the bill, and one result was q
proposed amendment that the District
should refund half of the cost OF the park
to the United States Treasury in annual
instailments of not less than 100000.
THE first satisfactory showing of the
work being done by the friends OF the
park was in the thoughtful and forcible
report made in the House January 26 by
Mr. Hemphill, from the District commit,
tee, recommending the passage of the
measure introduced by him on the 14th
The committee recommended an appro-
priation Of 81 500 600 for the purchase OF
the park.
In speaking Of the requirement OF the
park The Evening Star said:
Rock Creek Park is no longer a
dream. For many years 1t existed only
as a vision of rare leveliness in .hs
minds of a few men. At the gates OF
the city nature stood Offering park
endowed with a wealth of beauty that
limitless appropriations by Congress
would not have called into being. Still
those who recognized this invitation Cf
nature found it weary work to impress
a full sense Of the glorious opportunity
upon an unpoetical Congress.
From year to. year. to year. from 1855
to 1883, the project was brought before
Congress, but its friends became discour-
aged by repeated failures. There were
among congressman a few who early ap-
preciated the great desirability of reserv-
ing and defeating to the perpetual use
OF the people this stretch of creek and
valley, and such men never failed to
sreak and vote for the measure that
came before the national legislature hav-
ing such an object in view. But their
numbers were 50 small that after years OF
effort little hope was entertained that the
project would ever be carried out. 1t was
one of those bills for the general good
| which every citizen recognized as a de-
sirable thing. but which each, having no
stronger personal interest than his neigh
Dor. left to depend entirely upon it's gem
eral goodness for making its way in Con-
| gress."
Becomes Reality.
After condemnation proceedings had
| been completed and the park was d re.
ality. William v. Cox said:
Thus this most beautiful Rock Creek
valley was acquired and set apart as q
| public park or pleasure ground for the
benefit and enjoyment Of the people Of the
United States. Rock Greek. the banks
Of which Joel Barlow selected for his
home: Rock creek, the stream on which
John Quincy Adams built and In the Wild
| est nature free from toll and care, made
| a home: Rock creek. where the lamented
scientist. George Brown Goode. sought
much needed rest: Rock creek, which
| was the delight Of John Howard Payne,
| and on its banks in death he finally found
| his Home, Sweet Home.