Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-31
URGES EARLY ACTION
Surveyor Hazen Suggests Leg
isIation for Park System.
GIVES VOICE TO WARNING
Believes Creation Of Subdivisions
Will Interfere With Plans.
CONDEMNATION OF STREETS
Thoroughfares In Barry Farm Tract
Owned by Property Holders.
Surveys Needed.
GIVES VOICE TO WARNING
CONDEMNATION OF STREETS

Urging that the Commissioners seno
70 Congress proposed legislation Tor tne
construction Of a park system within tne
District OF Columbia. NJ. c. Hazen. Dis
trict surveyor. gives warning that unless
something Is done quickly many SUD
divisions will be made and improvements
placed thereon so that the ideas In GER
tain features OF the great proposed park
system will be entirely frustrated. Inc
warning is embodied in report of the
years work of the surveyors ONCE sent
to the Commissioners today.
This Is a matter of great impor-
lance to every citizen Of the District.
Mr.. Hazen says. land question in
volving the expenditure Of large
amount OF money. subdivisions are be-
ing constantly made, and streets are
condemned and opened through tracts
Of land desirable for parks. This
should not be so.
Authority to Purchase.
Authority was given during the last
session OF Congress for the purchase
OF two large tracts OF land in the
northwest section for park purposes.
one at Meridian Hill. fronting on 18th
street. OF about ten acres, and the other
of about sixteen acres on Georgetown
Heights.
There is much necessity for a bill
similar TO the one that was introduced
authorizing the appointment of park
commission. so that there may be
systematic and uniform ARRANGEMENT
of parks throughout the District,
rather than a disconnected system as Is
now being followed.
Streets to Be Condemned.
As forecasted in The Star several
months ago Mr.. Hazen will ask that all
Of the streets in the Barry farm subdi-
vision be condemned. The report says:
These streets as now recorded are
owned by the property owners. The Dis
trict has declined to make any improve
ments in the way of sewer and water In
this subdivision. This creates q very
the health Of the residents OF this Sec
ton. This condition is growing worse as
the population increases.
1T Is believed that the condemnation
Of these streets will be no hardship on
the property owners. as the land taken
will only be that which Is used by the
public and upon which the owners pay
taxes"
Recommends Immediate Survey.
Mr.. Hazen urges that there should be
no delay in the project to survey the
shore line OF the Anacostia river, owing
TO the fact that the high water mark is
receding. II the matter is left too long.
M Hasen predicts legal troubles without
end. and a corresponding delay in the
final development OF the park along the
AnacoGtia river will result. He said:
During the last session of Congress
authority was given under public act No.
40. approved May 10. 1910. authorizing
the Commissioners to condemn and &C
quire fee simple and absolute title. in
Guiding all riparian rights. to a strip OF
land for public highway and for park
purposes along the Anacostia river from
Monroe street to Giesboro point.
There would seem to be no more i'm
portant legislation than the provision for
the continuation Of this road on each
side OF the Anacostia river from the
northeriy city limits on the west and
Monroe street on the east to the District
line.
United States Holds Title.
M. Hugh r. Taggart, special counsel
on the ownership and riparian rights
along the Anacostia river. in his report
to the Commissioners holds that the
United States owns to the high-water
line along the shore OF the Anacostia
river It Is therefore very important
that these lines be accurately deter
mined by an official survey.
This high-water line Is recedihg rap
idly Where IL was once water II Is now
left dry, and should. under Mr.. Tag
carts opinion, belong TO the Uniteo
states, but as filling and accretion Is
going on along the bank of this stream
very rapidly, thereby shifting the water
line and celebrating the original shore
line. IL allows owners or adjacent prop
erty TO include new areas In their hold
ings."