Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06

charge OF Potomac river improvements.
Appropriations have already been made
and work is now in progress for dredging
and retaining the fats along that por-
ton of the Anacostia river from the Po-
tomac river to the navy-yard or Ana
costa bridge. 1t is assumed that this lat
ter Improvement will be continued to the
Pennsylvania Avenue bridge. which is the
head Of navigation on this stream, under
appropriations for rivers and harbors
and the estimate above referred to Ia for
continuing the Improvement Of this river
and the flats above that point. II Is be-
Heved that the work above the -Penneyi-
vania Avenue bridge can be done more
economically II il is done in conjunction
with the work now being done under the
direction Of the chief of engineers on the
lower part of the river.
Harbcr Front.
The total amount received from rentals
or wharf property in the District of CO.
iumhia under the charge OF the Commits
sloners was Sl6a41.35. divided as follows:
Potomac river front slA s7s N
anacoStia river front .. 5n3 IN
James Creek canal. 1 56S *
The actual water frontage in the Dis
trict or Columbia devoted to commerce IL
anout mii's. The total available water
lrontaee practicable OF commercial devel-
opnent is about Is miles, including
,he frontage set apart for parks and pur-
poses OF the United States government,
amounting TO about miles.
Inc most important wharf property UNI
der lease Is that along the Washington
,hahnei slightly less than a mile in
ZEN, ,aS th' me longest term lease expiring in
i i'Io. mis- frontage is in much need OF
Improvement.
inc frontage along the Anacostia river
Is largely undeveloped owing TO the un-
certainty regarding the own, rship oe
apu.tlnS land and riparian rights In
Hes.isauons are now in progress TO deter
mine the rights OF the United states To
this frontage "
Inc Jam Creek canal which formerly
extended from q street to the Anarostia
I ,, mas been filled to about n street.
from street to = stree the banks OF
the canal are under lease From D str.e,
10 the Anacostia river the canal extends
On one side along the grounds OF the War
SoIiege and Engineer School. II has been
susSssted 10 the Commissioners that ie
might be advisable to filI this canal .n-
tireiy and build over II a street or houl.
tdId ieaulng from South Capitol street 70
the Anacostia river, and this matter ix
now under consideration
Inc wharves along the G>or~.town
channel of the Potomac river are rn6sr
private control, with the exception Of fhs
Ioot or streets. A steam railroad has re-
eenuy oeen extended along Water street.
h ~ Is DeIeved that this frontage will
become much more commercially valuable
oy reason OF this improvement
Inc commissioners again call attention
10 .neir report on the improvement of tho
wafer front. which was forwarded to Con-
gress May %. 1903, and printed as Senste
Document No. $40. Sixtieth Congress first
session. No appropriation has been made
as recommended In this report for the i'm
proVement OF the harbor front but II is
the intention Of the Commissioners at an
early date to make definite recommenAa.
ton along this line.
Legislation was enacted at the last Con.
gress authorizing the Secretary OF the In
terror to acquire for a public park the
land included between Euclid street, 18th
street. W street. and 10th street extended,
In that portion Of the District formerly
known as Meridian Hill, this tract con-
tanning about $4,000 square feet. In the
same law the Commissioners were directed
TO ACQUIRE Tor a park tract Of land
known as Montrose, in Georgetown
Heights. containing about 10 acres. No
appropriations for these parks were made
The Commissioners believe that addi-
tonai parks and parkways should be ac-
CURED in the District Of Columbia. and
they recommended legislation last year to
authorize the appointment of a commits
sion to look into this matter, with the
object OF securing information and esti-
mates mates I upon which approximations for
for this purpose. however. failed Of en-
actment and 1t is the intention Of the
commissioners to again request the pas
sage Of such legislation. They believe
that the present time is not too soon to
prepare plans and surveys for locating
such parks In accordance with some def
mite system whereby their acquisition can
be extended over period Of years. Land
idly developed. and unless these parks
are selected In the near future the cost Of
obtaining them later will be almost pre-
hibitive
Rock Greek Park.
The appropriation for the care and
maintenance Of the park during the year
was $4,000. and authority was granted
the board OF control of Rock Creek Park.
consisting Of the Commissioners and tho
chief Of engineers. U. 8. A.. to purchase
small parcel of land. a little less than
1 acre in extent adjoining the northern
boundary of the park. for sum not to
exceed 500.
Owing to the difficulty encountered in
securing good title to the small parcel
Of land above referred to, II was found
impracticable TO acquire II. The appro.
priation was therefore entirely spent in
paths and grounds. but little new work
being undertaken during the year.
contract was let for q stone and con-
crete arch, 16-foot span, over q stream
crossing Beach driveway above the up
per ford, at a cost of $685.
For the fiscal year 1912 the sum Of $780,
600 will be asked for the care and I'M.
provement of the park. With the add
tional amount 1t is proposed to build q
road into the park from Sixteenth street
extended. near Kennedy street. and to oil
a part Of the roads in the park whore
sprinkling is difficult. 1t Is also intended.
when funds permit. to extend the system
of macadamized roads, to build shelters.
and to gradually open to general use the
portion of the park above the Military
road. A proposition was submitted to
the board of control last year by the Cap
ital Traction Company to extend q spur
from their Fourteenth street line along
give street railway access to the park.
This proposition was submitted at tho
suggestion of the board Of control. and
Congress was requested to authorize itS
The authority. however.
was not granted. The Commissioners
believe that some means should be adopt.
ed to make this large park moro acces-
sible to the general public. BY the con-
struction Of roadways and bride paths
ready access can be obtained to all parts
Of the park by that portion OF the public
which uses horses and vehicles. Tho
greater portion of the public, however,
does not make such use OF the reServA-
ton as Is desirable on account OF tnadeS
quate facilities for getting to It.
Water System Extended;