The Washington herald., 1912-01-21
KEOKUK EXTENSION
HELD IN ABEYANCE
Lack of Funds Causes Commits
siOners to Delay the Plan of
Street Improvement.

Because OF lack Of funds and the fact
thax Endorsement has already been given
to projects for the construction of high
ways leading into Rock Creek Park from
the west, the Commissioners. upon the
recommendation of Capt. Mark Brooke,
Assistant Engineer Commissioner, yester-
day decided not to submit to Congress
the bill approved by NJ. c. Hazen, Dis
trict surveyor. providing for the extern
sion Of Keokuk street from Thirty-seventh
street 10 Rock Creek Park. The bill
proposes to extend the highway from
Tbirty-seventh street to the intersection
Of Military and Daniel roads I'm Rock
Creek Park.
The plan II executed. would AFFORD a
means OF access to tho park from the
west which is now destitute of suita-
BILE entrance. Connecticut avenue would
be directly connected with the northern
portion OF the reservation, and the peo-
pie of Chevy Chase and surrounding sec
tions would be given a convenient and
Rrea tly-Deeded entrance TO the park.
The bill for the opening of the high
way' was prepared by the Allan r. Wal
ker Real Estate Company. and was sub
mitted to the Commissioners Tor their
Endorsement The Commissioners at
once referred the matter to Surveyor
Hazen. who heartily indorsed the plan.
Mr., Hazen estimated that the cost of
land required to extend the highway
would be approximately 81, 100. This
estimate was based on the assessments
on the land The area required by the
project Is 1l.33 acres. The bill provides
that the cost be assessed against the
property benefited.
While Capt. Brooks favors the bill, he
recommended. in view OF the shortage
Of funds for improvement OF highways,
and the fact that projects for the con-
structlon Of highways into Rock Creek
Park on the west are already under con-
sideration. that the Commissioners de-
cline to urge the passage Of the bill.
prepared by the real estate company.
The Assistant Engineer Commissioner
points out, however, that II the bill is
introduced in Congress on the Initiative
Of some one else and submitted to the
Commissioners for report they should
indorse the measure The object Of the
Commissioners Is TO refrain from urging
the enactment of the bill when there
are so many other measures Of greater
Importance needing Endorsement.
The extension of Keokuk street from
Connecticut avenue TO Rock Creek Park,
reads the recommendation OF Capt.
Brooke, would make a desirable con-
htCuOn Win the MlhttTS Todo anu NOuAu
give a reader access to the reservation
from the vicinity of Chevy Chase than
now exists. The proposed improvements
to be made during the coming season
to Rock Creek Ford road will, however.
improve the entrance into the park from
the neighborhood. and TO a certain eX-
tent will relieve the immediate neces-
sity for the improvement OF Keokuk
street.
"In view Of the improvements al
ready planned by the Commissioners for
the purpose Of extending the system of
roads into the park and Of the small
amount OF funds which II is expected
will be available within the next few
years there appears TO be no need of
condemning this street at present. as fits
acquisition would simply mean another
street for tne Improvement Of which no
funds would be available