Evening star., 1909-02-08
WOULD ASK $3,0OO,0OO.
District Needs Money to Pur-
chase Park Lands.
CITY Is SPREADING OUT
Commissioner Macfarland Explains
the Situation.
COULD SECURE BARGAINS NOW
Local Taxpayers Entitled to See
Work of Development Complet-
ed at an Early Day.
CITY is SPREADING OUT
COULD SECURE BARGAINS NOW

In order to allow the layout of the eX-
tensions of the National capital with
parks and broad avenues along lines SIM
liar to those in LEnfants original plan
of the city. Commissioner Macfarland
said today that Congress should give the
| Commissioners lump sum appropriation
of 81, 3,OO0,OOO to he used in the purchase
of park lands that will be required by
the growth of the capital during the next
century.
A comprehensive plan for the extension
of the city. he said, has been outlined by
the Commissioners. This includes pro-
visions for parks, circles and other.
breathing spaces, such have added
much TO the beauty of that part of the
city laid out by Maj. L'Enfant. AS the
city grows, he said, the land required for
parks in the newer sections increases
rapidly in price and Sood-siZe- appropria-
tion now would enable the Commission
ers to get land for much less than it will
cost when the city lmts reach to or beyond
it,
This plan was discussed in connection
with the bills now before Congress pro-
viding for the extension of Rock Greek
Park and for the purchase of land for
Meridian Hill Park.
Wants Money and Authority.
Discussing the park projects generally.
Commissioner Macfarlard, said:
Il wish that Congress would handle this
matter in a comprehensive way, giving
| the Commissioners money and authority
| to purchase now all the park lands that
will be required for the next century. 1t
| could be done with comparatively small
amount of money, probably less than s.
GO0O0O, and If ii is not done now Will cost
many times as much in the future. The
Commissioners have been very fortunate
| in their real estate purchases, always
| getting low prices and satisfactory sites,
and we could. by competitive and judi
! cious selection. get park lands for all
! the future now at a reasonable cost. Ev-
cry year as building extends sites will be
| fewer and prices higher.
! Most certainly this bill for the ex-
i tension of Rock Greek Park ought to be
| passed at this session. | trust that the
| House will pass the bill, which has al
ready passed the Senate. 1t is absolutely
necessary to complete the park, and save
| it from the Disagreement which We al
| ready see approaching il in inconSruous
| private buildings.
/ Moreover, it is essential to the devel-
! opment of our whole park system, bring
| ing the park. it does, down to Massa
| chusettS avenue. where we have asked
| Congress to authorize the project for the
identification of the lower Rock Creek
valley connecting with Potomac Park
. conversation i have strongly advocated
| the Rock Creek Park extension.
j Another Park Project Pending.
4 The other park project, which, having
passed the Senate. is also pending in the
i House. and, therefore, in favorable po-
sition to be acted upon at this session. is
] that for Meridian Hill Park. which l have
also advocated strongly. and which l hope
I~orz 1,
i Sixteenth street, which ought to have an
i avenue name. is our great northern
boulevard. in which we are all so deeply
interested. 1t is really a part of the
Rock Creek Park, on it's eastern side. anC
ought to be developed steadily. Already
the District taxpayers have paid large
sums for that purpose. and they are en-
titled to see the work completed at ar
early day. There are other park projects
which the Commissioners have recon-
mended, but which have not passed either
House. and. therefore. have small chance
in the brief time remaining before the 4tf
i.,fN ar..l