The Washington herald., 1910-12-07

trict of Columbia were 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 Meridian
| Hill ana Monuose parks, and the Dis
/ trict Commissioners have also included
/ in theft estimates a sum 10 be used for
/ the acquisition OF much-needed park land
adjoining the Geological Park, known as
/ the Klingle Ford tract. The expense OF
these three parks. included in the esti-
mates of the Commissioners, aggregates
/ $780, coo. I think il would Lead TO econ
omy if the Improvement and care of all
/ these parks and other public grounds
above described should be transferred 10
the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds,
which has an equipment well and eco
nomically adapted TO carrying out the
public purpose in respect TO improve
ments of this kind.
ITO prevent encroachments upon the
| park area, il is recommended that the
/ erection OF any permanent structure on
| any bands in the District OF Columbia
/ belonging to the United States be pro-
hibited, except by specific authority OF
| Congress.
/ District of Columbia in Virginia.
81 have already in previous communi-
cations to Congress referred TO the i'm
portance Of acquiring for the District OF
Columbia at least a part of the territory
on the other side of the Potomac in
Virginia which was originally granted
60 ~ - h. - a.,
and then was retroceded by act OF Con-
gress in 1916. 1t is very evident from
conferences that I have had with the
Senators and Representatives from Vir-
ginia that there is no hope Of a regrant-
ing by the State of the land thus given
back: and 1 am frank to sac that in so
far as the tract includes the town of
Alexandria and land remote from the
Potomac River, there would be no par
ticular advantage in bringing that within
national control. But the land which
lies along the Potomac River above the
railroad bridge and across the Potomac,
including Arlington Cemetery, Fort Myer,
the government experiment farm, the viii
lage of Rosslyn, and the Palisades OF
the Potomac, reaching to where the old
District line intersects the river, is very
sparsely settled and could be admirably
utilized for increasing the system Of the
parks OF Washington. 1t has been sug
gested TO me by the same Virginia Sen
ators and Representatives that if the
government were to acquire fora gov
eminent park the land above described.
which is not of very great value, the
present law of Virginia would itself work
the creation Of Federal jurisdiction over
il, and if that were not complete enough.
the legislature of Virginia would, in ali
probability. so enlarge the jurisdiction
as to enable Congress TO include il within
the control of the government of the
District of Columbia and actually make
II a part of Washington. I earnestly
recommend that steps be taken TO carry
cut this plan
Public Utilities.
There are a sufficient number of cor
porations enjoying the use OF public uil-
tiles IN the District OF Columbia to justify
and require the enactment OF law pro-
viding for their supervision and regula-
ton in the public interest consistent
with the vested rights secured TO them by
their charters. A part Of these corpora
lions, to wit, the street railways, have
been put under the control of the Inter
state Commerce Commission, but that
commission recommends that the power
be taken from it. and intimates broadly
that its other and more important duties
make it impossible for it 10 give the
requisite supervision. II seems to NE
wise TO place this general power OF super
vision and regulation in the District Com
missioners. 1t is said that their present
duties are now absorbing and would pre-
vent the proper discharge by them Of
these new functions. but their present
Jurisdiction brings them so closely and
frequently in contact with these corpora
lions and makes them TO know in such
detail how the corporations are discharg-
ing their duties under the law and how
they are serving the public interest that
the Commissioners are peculiarly fitted
to do this work. and hope that Congress
viii impose it upon them by intrusting
them with powers in respect to such cor
pora;'ens similar to those of the public
utilities coc7..,.s1ion of New York City
or similar boards in Massachusetts,"
school System.
The President does not think the pres
ent control of the school system OF Wash
ington commends itself as the most eff
icient and economical and thorough in
strument for the carrying on OF public
instruction. The expenses of the schools
of Washington as compared with those of
other cities similarly situated are shown
in detail in the message. Continuing. Mr..
Taft says:
The cost of education in the District
OF Columbia is seen TO be excessive as
compared with the cost in other cities of
similar GiZa md sr -
the results are in general more salts
factory. The average cost per pupil Der