Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-23
ADDITION TO PARK
Wetmore Bill for Enlarging
Rock Creek Before Senate.
NEED URGED IN REPORT
Part Of Land to Be Used for New
Botanic Garden.
BETTER ENTRANCE TO zoo
Bill Authorizes Expenditure of
$4,000, ooo-District's Share to
Be Repaid the Treasury.
NEED URGED IN REPORT
BETTER ENTRANCE TO ZOO


on public buildings and grounds to the
Wetmore bill for the purchase Of the val
ley Of Rock creek ~ an addition to tho
park system Of the National Capital was
yesterday reported to the Senate.
Senator Wetmore will take advantage Of
the first opportunity to have the Senate
act on the measure. and he anticipates its
passage without opposition. The Rhode
Island senator hopes to get 1t through be-
fore the present session adjourns.
Several urgent reasons for the purchase
OF the land are set forth In the committee
report made by Mr.. Wetmore. He points
out that 1t will prevent the further pollu-
ton OF Rock creek. will afford proper
facilities for the Botanic Garden in place
Of the present absurdly inadequate ia
cilities. and 10 important in connecting
Potomac and Rock Creek parks
New Botanic Garden.
The bill proposes that the land shall be
acquired by commission to be composed
of the Secretary OF the Treasury. the Sec
rotary Of War and the Secretary Of Ag.i-
culture: and authorizes an expenditure Of
$2.3OO.OOO as the purchase price. A por-
ton OF the land to be acquired is to be
set apart for the Botanic Garden. One
half OF the remaining portion Of the land
is to be paid for. half out OF the federal
Treasury and half out Of the District reve-
nues. the Districts half to be reimbursed
to the Treasury in eight equal annual in
stallments with interest OF per cent on
the deferred payments.
In the District appropriation act for
the fiscal year of 1908" the report says,
Congress provided for the preparation
OF plans and estimates for the treat
ment Of tho valley Of Rock creek from
Massachusetts avenue to the mouth OF
the creek.
Approved by Commissioners.
1.-THE Commissioners of the District of
Columbia reported pursuant to this direc-
ton OF Congress on the SOth OF April.
1905, and the present bill Is SO framed
as to include the land necessary to carry
out the recommendations Of that report.
The years which have passed since Con-
gress directed the preparation Of tho re-
port have strongly emphasized the con-
siderations which led Congress to make
that direction.
1T has become apparent that the pub
lie health requires immediate treatment
of the lower valley OF Rock creek to pre-
vent its obstruction and pollution. which
has already gone to the point OF serious
danger, the valley belng used by Tue
rapidly increasing adjacent population
as q general dumping place for refuse
of all kinds.
tine development OF Potomac Park
has made more apparent the Importance
to the proper development Of Washington
that the Mail ana the Potomac Fark
Oh CrQAk
Park by suitable avenues Of commune
cation.
Absurdly Inadequate.
1.-THE development Of tho botanic
gardens In other cities, both In tits
country and abroad, II showing that the
present site of the government Botanic
Garden at the foot OF Capitol Hill Is
absurdly inadequate, and that unless the
maintenance of such a garden Is to be
abandoned entirely suitable provision
for its accommodation should be made.
Congress and Its various committees
years indicated the existence of an UNI
derstanding that sucl q change In the
Botanic Garden must necessarily be
made.
be met by the bill now reported.
1.-The report Of the District Commits
sioners in 1908, above cited. included sew
eral different methods OF treatment of
the valley OF Rock creek between the two
existing parks, but the present bill does
not undertake to determine as between
these different methods. It simply relates
to the acquisition Of the land which will
be necessary for any method Of treat
ment
1.-THE amount fixed In the bill Is based
upon a tabulation Of the assessed value
of the land included in the lines Of the
land to be acquired. To that has been
added an amount equal to the average
excess over assessed valuation for which
tie government was able to obtain the
land for the Senate and House Office
buildings, the new city post of1ce site
and the new site for the departmental
buildings on 18th street"