Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-10

much to be hoped that the studies of the
War Department have so far progressed
at this time that provision may be made
in the bill now under consideration foi
completing the rights of the public to
make the development. and for beginning
the work.
Zone may readily believe that a few
years hence the energy due to the fall
ing of the waters of the Potomac to sea
level at Washington from an elevation OF
several hundred feet within distance OF
twenty-five or thirty miles will be mar
messed for use in lighting our streets and
public buildings. And if the. ultimate de-
velopment of the latent powers OF the
Potomac be as complete as conditions
permit not only public lighting. but also
all local private lighting and the opera
ton of our street railways may be eco
nomicaHy provided for.
Completing the Park System.
Ten years ago. under the auspices Of a
congressional committee, there was pre-
pared by a commission, the personnel OF
which, by reason of deaths, could possibly
not be equaled in the whole country to-
day. a complete and remarkable scheme
for completing the park system of the
District of Columbia. Relatively little
progress has been made toward consum-
nation of this scheme. Some of the lands
required are already being ruined for park
purposes by grading and building ope-
rations. 1t is hoped that Congress will
proceed rapidly to acquire the lands OF
the park project. The great advances in
progress in Washington suburban prop
erty make this course extremely advisa-
BILE from business standpoint
I'VE have placed in our estimates a
number of park items. AS an example of
these. one provides for the acquisition of
Nlingle valley. a beautifully wooded ra-
vine or valley heading about mile east
of Rock creek i'm the direction of the
Tenleytown road, whence it deseends
gradually to Rock creek 1t forms nat
ural entrance to the park system. by an
easy grade, from what will not long from
nov the heart of "A residential district
The immediate acquisition of this valley
is essential to its conservation, it,
owners are DESTROYS of making it a dump
ing ground in grading operations. The
value of this ravine to future residents of
Washington is beyond all comparison
with what it can be bought for today
The owners of Klingle valley are not try
ing to unload ii on the District. They
would be well intent if the public were
to keep hands off.
menced by Congress two years ago. with
an initial appropriation for the filling of
the Anacostia flats.
"A plan for this work has been perfected
sion, which will transform the present
insanitary marshes into large and
beautiful land-and-water park, embrace
ing some LOO acres. In many respects
this will be the most attractive park of
the whole system. Its execution is de-
layed by the need of very simple and
obviously necessary act for the con-
demnation of a narrow marginal strip
embracing the land between the ten-foot
contour and the high-water mark.
Municipal Hospital Needed.
Several years ago large piece Of
ground was bought in a -healthful and at
tractive portion of the District for mu-
nicipal hospital purposes. Upon this tract
now stands the Tuberculosis Hospital.
The present general municipal hospt-
tai is located on the banks of the Ana
costa marshes, and is housed i'm num-
Der of old wooden buildings unsuited in
character and insufficient In accomm oda-
ton. No private hospitals could be in
duced to care for most of the patients
who fin dtheir way into this institution.
1t seems high time to build a proper mu-
nicipal hospital on the site bought for
the purpose. This would facilitate the
divorce of public from private charity
within the District. to the ultimate adj
vantage of all concerned. The INDECENT
sick would be better cared for. the Dis
trict and the United States would save
money and many people of the District
would devote more time to real charity
and less to lobbying for appropriations
In order that their charity may be vi.
cariously paid for.
Cleaning the Streets.
On July |, 1911. the District began the
operation of street cleaning with its. own
force and plant. Two excellent stable
and storage plants have. been construct
ed, both absolutely sanitary and fireproof
A greater area is cleaned and the stand
ard of cleanliness has been raised prac-
tically without increase of appropriations.
have had figures prepared for 1909,
two years before the new system went
into operation, for comparison with the
estimates for 1914. two years after the
Inauguration of the new system. The
results are very gratifying and may be
noted as follows:
Increase of appropriation. Is per cent.
increase of population, 90 per cent tes-
timated).
Increase of area of streets and alleys
receiving attention 43 per cent.
Decrease of area cleaned per year,
three cleanings per week. using machines,
IS per cent. ~ Z.
increase Of area Cleaned per year. six