Evening star., 1912-09-19
BouIevards Not Built for Rich
Only, Aver District Heads.
ROOSEVELT TALK PUZZLES
Highway Plan Being Followed Laid
Down by Maj. LEnfant.
PUBLIC PARKS ARE DEFENDED
Nothing More Could Be Accomplish
ed in That Respect, Govern
ment Officials Declare.

What Col. Roosevelt meant when, in a
speech at Phoenix. Ariz., Tuesday. he is
reported to have said that il elected
President, he would put stop to the de-
veloping Of the boulevard system for
wealthy residents and real estate specu-
lators In Washington is puzzling Dis
trict government officials.
Washington is said to have a better
boulevard system than any city in the
world and several European capitals are
now spending millions Of dollars in an
been developed in accordance with the
plans of Maj. L'Enfant. designer of the
city. and as the municipalities growth de-
manded. Homes of the rich and poor
alike are to BIZ found on the capital
principal boulevards.
Local officials are speculating as to
whether Col. Roosevelt. in the event of
his being elected, would attempt to do
away with the present system of boule-
ward building. To carry out his threat
highway plan. which provides for the
opening of all new thoroughfares, and
there Is little or no prObab bility that Con-
greSs would give consent to such a propo-
sition.
Follow L'Enfant Plan.
The highway plan was adopted with
the object Of providing for the city
growth along the lines originally laid out
by Maj. LEnfant. and it has worked
satisfactorily. Boulevards only have been
built when there has been a demand for
them. expressed alike by the small house
holder and the rich investor. They have
been tremendous factor in the citys
growth. For example, 10th street. one
Of the principal boulevards. was extend.
ed north of Florida avenue to give access
to the region above Meridian Hill, which
already had been built up. Extensions OF
other boulevards have been made for
similar reasons. Massachusetts avenue
being extended to afford an access to
Tenleytown.
The idea Col. Roosevelt apparently has
that boulevards have been built for
wealthy suburban residents and real es-
tate spectators Is entirely erroneous,
local officials assert, as. in every instance
these thoroughfares will be found tc have
been built up extensively with small
homes.
Other Plans Of the Colonel.
In the same speech, delivered al
Phoenix, Col. Roosevelt is attributed with
the statement that in Washington he
would have Fairgrounds and parks and
do away with every tenement house.
District government officials are con-
vinced that the former President could
not accomplish more in this respect than
they have been accomplishing. Many Sec
tions of the city are now provided with
Fairgrounds, while Congress annually
is asked to provide new parks. Tenement
sections are being abolished as rapidly as
possible. this work being in charge of a
board for the condemnation of insanitary
buildings.
The Commissioners, in their next esti-
mates, will ask for new parks and play
grounds and other improvements designed
to add to the beauty and healthfulness OF
the city. They believe that a glance by
Col. Roosevelt at their estimates for the
current fiscal year should convince him
that the Commissioners policy has been
as progressive as he would have his own.