Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-26
PARK CONNECTION
PROVES PROBLEM
District Commissioners Get
Surveyor Hazen's Com
pIete Report.
CONSIDER STEPS TO TAKE
IN EXECUTING PROJECT
Links to Be Made Between poto.
mac, Geological and Rock Creek
Areas Bring Up Questions.

With the survey for the proposed con-
nection between Potomac. Geological and
Rock Creek parks completed. the District
OF Columbia Commissioners are now con-
sidering what steps. II any, they should
take in assisting In the execution Of the
big Improvement project. for which Con-
gress has authorized an expenditure Of
81 500, 600
There is nothing in the law, which is
contained in section - of the public
buildings act, approved March 4. last, to
indicate that the local government heads
are to have any part in the development
of the proposed connecting parkway, al
though II is provided that half the cost
Of the project shall be borne by the Dis
trict.
Nor is authority conferred upon any
government ofiicials or department to
take charge OF and supervise the develop
ment of the area sought to be acquired.
The appointment Of a commission to
consist of the Secretary OF the Treasury,
the Secretary of War and the Secretary
of Agriculture is authorized by the act,
but this body is directed only to arrange
for the acquisition, either by condemna-
ton, purchase or otherwise. OF the land
commission has voted to proceed by the
condemnation plan.
Looking for Light.
As the result of the failure of the law
to stipulate how the development scheme
shall be prosecuted, the Commissioners
are looking for light on such questions
as the following:
What, IL any, part should the District
government have in the undertaking?
How far may the Commissioners. with
propriety. go in making suggestions to
the commission Of cabinet officials in
OF the property?
In what government agency is super
vision Of the parkway to be lodged?
The latter question Is of particular in
for the reason that the law is silent on
the question. but because Potomac,
Geological and Rock Creek parks are un-
der separate jurisdictions.
the office of public buildings and
grounds. while the Geological and Rock
Creek parks are under the Jurisdiction,
respectively. of the Smithsonian Insti-
ton and board Of control Of Rock
AS the survey for the proposed con-
Meeting link between these parks was
made by the office Of the surveyor of
the District, in accordance with an
agreement reached between the Com
met officers. II Is believed to be not
unlikely that the District government
will be asked 10 take q further part
In the carrying out OF the scheme.
Report on Survey Made.
A complete report on the survey was
transmitted to the Commissioners yes
terday by District Surveyor Melvin
C. Hazen. 1t shows that the cost Of
the survey was about, $4,000, and Mr..
Hazen suggests that the District should
be reimbursed for this expense.
Recommendation concerning changes
which he believes should be made In
the boundary of the proposed park are
contained in the report. Among them
Is the suggestion that there should be
included in the area the ravine along
Woodley road. east OF Connecticut ave-
nue. so that an entrance might be had
from Connecticut avenue into the ex-
treme north end Of the park.
Mr.. Hazen states also that there seems
to be no necessity for the entrance from
18th and r streets. through Oak Hill
cemetery. to the park.
His report, In full, is as follows:
II have the honor to transmit here
with report and map of the survey of the
proposed connection between Rock Creek
and Geological parks and Potomac Park
along Reck creek. In accordance with
public act No. 432. approved March 4.
1913. This survey is made in accordance
with instructions from the Engineer
Commissioner received at meeting of
the commission to acquire this property
held in the Office Of the Secretary of the
Treasury in the early spring.
Survey Was Difficult.
This survey has been one of the
most difficult undertaken by the Office
In many years for the reason that 1t
includes that part of the city of Wash
tngton and Georgetown where they
border on Rock creek, and where the
records are incomplete. overlapping
each other and vacancies occurring,
and where there are many errors in
dimensions. IN other words, it Is the
ragged edge of the two cities. 1t
also includes all the land above the
city aloivg Rock creek. where there are
no recent surveys or accurate data.
II has taken one field party over five
months To. make the survey. in addi-
ton ~ craftsmen and computers.
The actual expense for salaries is
$4,000. not including transportation
and other incidental expenses. which
would easily make the cost S2,50O
This work has been done with the
regular office force and l think the
some
way for this expense from the appro-
priation. as this IS a necessary expense
incident to the acquisition of this land.
Total Acreage, 1864.
There are $50 different parcels includ-
ed within the boundaries of the proposed
park, with total acreage of 1864 acres.
This area would be added to the park
area OF the District. The total area 10
be condemned within this area would be
1851 acres. The total acreage publicly
owned. not including streets. is 59,4 acres.
There is believed TO be about acres of
accretion. The area within Rock creek
south of p street is Ca acres. The total
extreme length of the park is ~ miles,
and the perimeter Of the park Is "a
miles.
There has been no park acquisition in
the District for many years that Is as
important as this connection, nor one
that the public has been as much inter-
ested in In addition to making a mag
niicent park connection between the Poto-
mac Park and the parks to the north of
the city. II Is also a great benefit in that
il will prevent the pollution of Rock
creek. thus creating a sanitary condition
whereas now IL is a menace to the health
of the community.
Must Stop Dumping.
Action should be taken as soon as
possible to prevent the continual dump
ing OF refuse within the limits OF this
proposed park. Many thousands of loads
OF refuse have been dumped here even
since the approval of this act.
II take the liberty of calling your at
be made in the boundary of the park
and q few recommendations that would