The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-12-06

W EciIIouTSc Tue kdilkodO IL
seems TO me the equity of this claim is
manifest, and the only question involv-
ed is the reasonable value of the work
done I recommend the payment OF
the claim in a sum found to be just.
District Of Columbia.
The government of the District OF
Columbia is good government The
police force. while perhaps 1t might be
given or acquire more military disci-
piine in bearing and appearance. is new
ertheless an efficient body of men, free
from graft. and discharges its impor-
tant duties in this capital of the nation
effectively The parks and streets of
the city and the District are generally
kept clean and In excellent condition.
The commissioners of the Distric.
have its affairs we'll In hand and,
while not extravagant, are constantly
looking to those municipal improve
ments that are expensive, but that
must be made in a modern growing
city like Washington. While all this
is true. nevertheless the fact that
Washington is governed by congress
and that the citizens are not RESPONSE
BILE and have no direct control through
popular election in District matters
properly subjects the government TO
inquiry and criticism by its citizens,
manifested through the public press
and otherwise. such criticism should
command the careful attention Of con-
gress. Washington is the capital OF
the nation, and its maintenance as Il
great and beautiful city under nation
al control every lover OF his country
has much at heart. and 1t should pre-
sent in every way a model in respect
of economy Of expenditure. of SANTA
ton. of tenement reform, of thorough
public instruction, of the proper regu-
lation of public utilities, OF sensible
and extended charities. of the proper
care of criminals and of youth needing
reform. of healthful Fairgrounds and
opportunity for popular recreation and
If Il beautiful system Of parks. l am
glad to think that progress is being
made in all these directions, but l ven
ture to point out certain specific i'm
provements toward these ends which
congress in its wisdom might adopt.
Speaking generally, think there
ought to be more concentration of au-
thority in respect to the accomplish
ment Of some Of these purposes with
more economy Of expenditure.
Public Parks.
Attention is invited to the peculiar
situation existing in regard to the
parks Of Washington. The park sys-
tenn proper. comprising some 343 diff
ferent areas. is under the Office OF
public buildings and grounds. which.
however. has nothing to do with the
control of Rock Creek park. the ZOO
logical park, the grounds of the de-
partment Of agriculture. the botanic
garden, the grounds Of the capitol and
other public grounds which are regu-
larly open to the public and ought to
be part of the park system. Exclusive
Of the grounds Of the Soldiers home
, and of Washington barracks, the pub
! lie grounds used as parks In the Dis
trict of Columbia comprise over 3. 100
acres, under ten different controlling
| officials or bodies. This division Of jl.
| lASNAlStloA AAOol
Large sums Of money are spent
| yearly in identifying and keeping In
| good condition these parks and the
| grounds connected with government
buildings and institutions. The work
done on all of them is Of the same
general character-work for which the
Office Of public buildings and grounds
has been provided by congress with a
| special organization and equipment
which are lacking for the grounds not
| under that Office. There can be no
doubt that ii all work OF care and Inn
| provement upon the grounds belonging
! to the United States in the District OF
Columbia We're put as far as possible
under one responsible head the result
| would be not only greater efficiency
| and economy in the work itself, but
greater harmony in the development
| of the public parks and gardens of the
city.
| Congress at its last session provided
for two more parks, called the Nerd
ian Hill and Montrose parks, and the
District Commissioners have also In
cluded in their estimates a sum to be
used for the acquisition of much need.
ed park land adjoining the geological
park, known as the Klingle Ford
tract. The expense OF these three
parks, included in the estimates Of the
commissioners, aggregates 100000.
think it would lead to economy II the
improvement and care of all these
parks and other public grounds above
described should be transferred to the
office Of public buildings and grounds,
which has an equipment well ard eco
nomically adapted to carrying ont the
public purpose In respect to improve
ments of this kind.
| To prevent entertainments upon the
park area it is recommended that the
| erection of any permanent structure on
any lands in the District of Columbia
| belonging to the United States be pro-
hibited except by specific authority of
| congress.
| The District Of Columbia In virainia.
| ! have already in previous communi-
cations to congress referred to the i'm
| portance OF acquiring for the District
| Of Columbia at least part OF the ter
| ritory on the other side Of the Potomac
| in Virginia, which was originally
| granted for the District By the state
| IF into n1 ha, L. 4