The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-06-20
PLAYGROUND PRICE
ISHELDEXORB|TANT
BY COMMISSIONERS
They Do Not Want to Pay
Fifty Thousand for Four
teenth Street Tract.

{ The Commissioners do not regard with
favor the bill for the purchase OF the
playground at Fourteenth street and
Columbia road at a cost of $4,000
In a report submitted to Congress to-
day they suggest that the bill be
amended so as to provide for the con-
domination of the property at cost not
10 exceed $4,000. and that one-fourth
of the cost be assessed against the sur
rounding property as benefits. As an
alternative, in the event that Congress
does not see fit to adopt the measure
ixhe Commissioners suggest the passage
of a bill authorizing them to obtain by
condemnation a park or playground dis
tant not more than five blocks from
Fourteenth street and Columbia road,
to contain 10000 or more square feet, at
a cost, not including the cost of con-
demnation proceedings, of $4,000.
In consideration OF the bill the Com
nissioners say they have noted the fol-
lowing facts:
Provision Made.
That at a distance Of two blocks i'm
mediately westward Congress already
has made provision for the beginning
of a new entrance to the park system
of the District. That four blocks to the
south and two blocks to the west be-
gins Meridian Hill. for the acquisition
Of which Congress has already provided,
and upon some portion of which doubt
less a playground will be established.
That a block and a half to the east
is a tract available for playground pur-
poses containing 3l1.165 square feet,
which can be acquired for IS cents a
TO the east and three blocks to the
north is a tract embracing 29,340 square
feet, suitable for playground purposes,
which can be bought for $4,000 or less.
That within 800 yards of the site is To-
Gated the Powell school and the John
son school on lots which readily can be
used for playground purposes.
That the purchase of the land in Ques-
ton is not the most important acquisi-
ton which the Commissioners could
Klingle Valley, affording an easy and
beautiful approach TO Rock Creek Park,
or from Georgetown and the entire
western section of the District will
soon be lost unless purchased or con-
demned for park use. For these rea-
sons, the Commissioners Say they are
unable at this time to recommend the
purchase.
Mcfarland Explains.
Former Commissioner Henry B. F.
Mcfarland today cleared the atmos-
phere of doubt which has been hang
ing about the Gallinger bill for the
purchase of the Mt Pleasant play
ground, and which resulted in a hurried
special meeting of the directors of the
Chamber of Commerce to decide
whether the Chamber had taken a posi-
ton on mistaken ground.
The bill, as explained by Mr.. Macfar-
land, was drawn in supposed conformity
with the provisions of the acts for the
purchase of Montrose and Meridian
Hill Parks, but the fact was overlooked
that those acts provide for the entire
purchase price being paid by the
United States, with reimbursement by
the District of one-haf Of their cost.
When the propositions to acQire
these parks were first made, he said.
the Commissioners contended that
they should he paid for entirely out
Of the revenues of the United States,
upon the ground that the proposed
parks would be just as much nation
al affairs as the Mall, which belongs
entirely to the Government. The Com
missloners, however, were unable to
succeed in this contention and Con-
Stunning one half of the burden of
original expense.
These acts carry provisos that the
District shall pay back to the United
States its share of the cost in certain
annual payments. Mr.. mcfarland
pointed out that this proviso had
been embodied in the bill to purchase
the playground, but that its trainers
had overlooked the fact that in the
first instance the entire amount was
to be paid by the United States, in
stead of one-h half as provided in the
playground bill.