The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1910-12-06


made In all these directions, but ve1l-
ture to point out certain specific Inn
provements toward these ends which
congress in It's wisdom might adopt
Speaking generally. I think there
ought TO be more concentration OF nu-
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-
partHnent of agriculture. the botanic
garden, the grounds of the capitol and
other public grounds which are regu-
larry 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 3.1Oo.
acres. under ten different controlling
officials or bodies. This division of ju-
Large sums OF money are spent
yearly in beautifying 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-vork for which the
Office of public buildings and grounds
has been provided by congress with
special organization and equipment.
which are lacking for the grounds not
under that office. There can be no
doubt that If all work of care and i'm
provement upon the grounds belonging
to the United States in the District of
Columbia were put as far rs 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.
Con greSs at its last session provided
for two more parks. called the AIerid-
ian Hill and Montrose parks, and the
District Commissioners have also in
GUIDED in their estimates a sum to be
used for the acquisition of much need
ed park land adjoining the geological
park. known rs the IIlingle Ford
tract. The expense of these three
parks, included In the estimates of the
commissioners, aggregates 100000.
think 1t would lead to economy If 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 and eco
nomfcaIly adapted to carrying out the
public purpose In respect TO improve
ments of this kind.
To prevent encroachments 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-
hlbited except by specific authority of
congress.
The District of Columbia In Virginia.
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 ter
rltory on the other side of the Potomac
in Virginia, which was originally
granted for the District by the state
of Virginia and then was retrOceded
by act of congress in 1916.
It is very evident from conferences
that have had with the senator's and
representatives from Virginia that
there is no hope OF a regrantinS by
the state OF the land thus given back.
and am frank to say that in so far
as the tract includes the town OF Alex
andria and land remote from the Po-
tomac river there would be no partic-
ular advantage in bringing that within
national control.
But the land which lies along the
Potomac river above the railroad,
bridge and across the Potomac. in
Guiding Arlington cemetery. Fort My
er, the government experiment farm.
the village of RoSslyn and the Pail
sades of the Potomac. reaching TO
where the old District line interSects
the river, is very sparsely settled and
could be admirably utilized for ~
crehsinE the system of the pnrlls OF
Washington.
1t has been suggested to me by the
same Virginia senator's and represent
atlves that IL the government were to
acquire for government park the
land above described. which is not of
very great value, the present law Of
Virginia would itself work the creation
If federal Jurisdiction over 1t, and II
that were not complete enough the leg
stature of Virginia would in all proba-
hillty so enlarge the jurisdiction as To
enable congress to include II within rho
control of the government OF the Dis
trlct of Columbia and actually make it
Il part of Washington. 1 earnestly rec