The Washington times., 1913-01-25

tract proposed to be acquired extenos
about 1000 feet along Rock Creek
and northwest about 1000 feet along
Massachusetts, avenue, with width
of 500 to 1000 feet
The tracts included in the proposed
addition have been owned by Two
or three estates, which up to the
present time have not developed the
property. Recently, however, IN
continuation of the rapid develop
OF land has been purchased by
syndicate, and arrangements are
being made to lay off the land into
lots and blocks for the purpose OF
building. This tract includes about
. lightweight acres of the land this
bill proposes to purchase Tor park
purposes, and unless the land Is &C;
Quired by the Government II Will
undoubtedly be built upon within
short time. All Of this section will
probably develop rapidly during the
next year or two and the value Do
greatly enchanced.
Considered Price Reasonable.
In determining on the part of these
tracts to be used for park purposes.
1t was endeavored to leave what was
most suitable for building purposes
and take for park purposes such
part as was best adapted to sucn
Use. The area Of the land proposed
for the park Is about 100 acres, and
the price is about s4,2oO per acre,
which is considered to be reasonable.
In view of all the circumstances.
Options are left on 1t so that It
can be acquired at such figures as
to bring II within the amount ap-
propriated In the bill.
1t is further provided In the bill
that a small piece Of property be-
longing to the United States lying
south of Massachusetts avenue may
be exchanged for an equal amount
OF land lying to the north. The
Naval Observatory grounds are To-
Gated in this vicinity. The original
grounds of the observatory contain
about 20 acres, irregular In shape.
The opening of Massachusetts, ave-
nue. and Observatory circle, in ac-
cordance with the authorized system
Of highway extension, leaves two
strips of the original tract-one on
the north Of Massachusetts, avenue,
south side Of the avenue, lying In the
angle between Massachusetts, avenue
and Observatory circle, containing
about seven-tenths Of an acre. This
latter Is proposed to be exchanged.
IT Is Of little value to the observa-
tory or to TIE United States on ac-
count of being separated from the
remainder Of the holdings of the
observatory by streets, so that II
would seem desirable to exchange
1t, as proposed in the bill, for an
equal amount of land that can be
used. The IA acres to the north can
be used as a part of park or such
other use as the United States may
desire.
Benton Street Superhuous.
The bill further provides that a
short section of a projected street
called Benton street shall be aban-
doned as a highway. This is pri-
vate property, and the provision
means simply that the system of
street extension Is changed to that
extent. 1t can he seen from the
small map that this street will be
superfuous IL the land Is acquired
for park purposes.
The bill further provides that the
landowners surrounding the proposed
park shall dedicate 30 feet for q
street and establish a building line
Of Is feet, and that the United States
shall do the same along the park
boundary. This will give a street
practically 80 feet wide around the
park. which is eminently desirable.
Minor Amendments Necessary.
In order to more fully carry out
the intention. a few minor amend
ments are necessary to. be made in
Insert In line IA, page 1. before
the word which" the words "and
the location Of proposed new
streets"
Insert after the word there
from" in line Il, page 3, the fol-
Of a proposed new stre1s of
Insert in line is. page 8. after
the word Zine" the following:
"Following the center line of a
OF proposed newsstreet"
Strike out the words. "as 30 feet
IN width" line !. PAGE 8, and also
in line 2. page 8. Also insert after.
the word for in line 2. page Q,
the word herein"
Recommended Bills Passage.
The Commissioners recommend
the passage of this bill as being q
measure of public benefit. The land
is located within easy access of a
large population. 1t is eminently
suited to park purposes on account
of the hiliy character and the
magnificent trees, which could not
grown in many years. II Is TO-DAY,
although private property. used by
many persons as a park. and with
the rapid increase of population
will certainly prove of the great
est value. The Commissioners fur
tker believe that. IL not purchased
before being subdivided and devel-
oped. its cost would be greatly in
creased. and. besides. many Of the
will ha M dnNrn ond 40
beauty impaired Very respect
fully,
HENRY B. F. MCFARLAND.
President board of Commissioners,
District of Columbia.
Hon. J. Fl. Gallinger. Chairman
Committee on the District OF Co.
lumbia, United States Serate.
Wanted Land on Meridian Hill.
March 80 1906.
Senator: The Commissioners of
the District "f Columbia have the
honor to submit the following on
Senate bill $3.50. Fifty-ninth Con-
gress. first session: ITO acquire
certain grounds in Hall & Elvan's
subdivision Of Meridian Hill for a
Government reservation which
you referred to them for report
touching the merits of the pill and
the propriety Of its passage:
A plat is inclosed. showing in
blue the land proposed to be con-
demned.
The object Of the bill is to ac-
ouire for Government reservation
tracts OF land aggreeating about
10 acres in extent lying between
Euclid street, Columbia avenue.
or Fifteenth street w street or
Florida avenue. and Sixteenth
street extended. in Hall & Ell
vans subdivision of Meridian
Hill. The reservation is SIM
liar in nature to the small resei-
vations or parks now existing
throughout the city OF Washington,
I'll I..Ll L..