The Washington herald., 1910-02-13

but Is likely 10 become enormously Vdlu-
able in a few years Ii Is also urged that
now is the proper time TO condemn the
squares south of Pennsylvania avenue
10 the Mall, particularly between Twelfth
and Fourteenth streets. and attention is
invited TO the fact that the recent con-
demnation between Fourteenth and Fiji
tenth streets was inside of the estimates,
so that it seems fairly determinate as to
the cost Of this work at the present time
and also that the land viii increase IN
value during the next few years"
This was the summing-up Of an inter-
esting report submitted at the Chamber
Of Commerce at its last meeting by the
committee on parks, highways. ami
bridges on the park system of Washing
ton. The report was submitted by w p.
Richards. vice-chairman, and attracted
much favorable comment
Summarizes Park Documents.
Mr.. Richards gave a summary of public
effort toward the creation. Improvement.
and enlargement of the park system in
Washington, of which the following is a
part:
Rock Creek Park was purchased in
1891, but no Improvements were begun
until six years afterwards and the park
is still inaccessible through the greater
portion OF its area
"In 1892, Mai Charles F. Powell. then
Engineer Commissioner, advocated a plan
for a chain Of parks through the suburb
an parts of the District. reaching entirely
around the city, the idea being suggested
by the parks Of Chicago and Boston,
which are connected by wide drives or
avenues.
In 1901 q book was edited by W. V
Cox containing matter relative 10 the pro
posed celebration of the centennial OF
the National Capital, including a plan
for the development Of the Mall by
Samuel Parsons. jr.. which showed a
proposed connection by way Of Twenty
third street between Potomac Park and
the Rock Creek valley.
Park Commission Plans.
IN 1902 the Senate Committee of the
District published an elaborate report on
a system of park Improvement, generally
referred 10 as The report Of the park
commission" This report was prepared
with much care and study by experts on
the subject and treated SO that its recon-
mendauons should appeal to all persons
having an interest In the beauty and
atuactiveness Of the city of Washington.
This report recommended a formal
treatment Of the Mall and te purchase
and development into parks and public
building sites the squares south of Penn
sylvania avenue, between First and Fiji
tenth streets northwest. II also en-
bodied a scheme Of parks outside the city
limits connected with suitable winding
drives. It suggested the development Of
the water front with drives along the
Potomac, and a connection up the Rock
Greek valley of Potomac Park with
Geological and Rock Creek parks.
BY a report Of the Commissioners
made in 1908, in answer to an act of Con-
gress. an elaborate plan was submitted
for the treatment Of the Rock Creek val
ley, so that the cost Of this project is
fairly well determined.
Plan should BE Supported.
This committee is of the opinion that
the plans OF the park commission should
receive strong support; that the squares
south of Pennsylvania avenue should be
condemned for park purposes and for
sites Of public buildings as soon as pos
sible; that the project Of an open valley
connection between Potomac Park and
Rock Creek Park Is necessary to a proper
development Of the park system; that
Rock Creek Park should be enlarged and
made useful I'm all its parts by means Of
lines should be so extended as 20 make
each portion easily accessible to pedes-
TRANS.
THE project Of running a line Of motor
busses through the park was urged by
the Washington papers some months ago
and received favorable comment, but so
far nothing has been done to carry It
out and the ordinary person cannot az
ford a carriage or an automobile but
must depend upon natures means Of To-
comotion to carry him through the beauti-
full scenery of the park. The easiest plan
that suggests itself would be the extern
sion of the car lines II would not do TO
run them through the park itself, but if
they merely touched the edges il would
answer every purpose. One would not OBJ
ject 10 wandering through the park, IL
he knew for a certainty that he could get
a car at almost any point along its out
skirts.
should BE Made Accessible.
Something ought 10 be done TO bring
this beautiful park within the reach Of
every one. As it is now, one must either
own or hire an automobile or carriage to
make himself familiar with IT, It should
be possible for any one to pay a visit
there and return for 10 cents. When this
is done it will provide an unceasing
source Of pleasure TO the inhabitants Of
the city, besides inducing a love for the
beauties Of nature. When cheap and
ready means of access has been provided.
Fairgrounds. tracks. and other acces-
series Of sport and enjoyment will natur-
ally follow.
Then. too, Rock Creek Park would be
brought 10 the heart Of the city by its
extension down the valley 10 Potomac
Park. which connects with the Mall and
the White House grounds, thus affording
a continuous park drive from Fifteenth
street 10 the north end Of Rock Creek
Park"
What II Has to DO with Trade.
In answer to the question Of what parks
have to do with the commerce Of a city.
Mr.. Richards said:
"All cities owe their existence and size
20 the value and extent Of their CO n
merce, and this trade or exchange de-
Ponds upon the character Of the people
inhabiting the country Of which the
city is part, but also on the situa-
ton of the city in n geographical sense.
Thus the growth of Baltimore is de-
termlned by its favorable situation near
en- ennrr,,ntts hnt.- CHM ,h-o,. - u