Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-31
Lower Valley of Rock Creek.

Potomac Park takes on additional sig
nificance and a world wide interest as
the site of the Lincoln memorial. That
site has received the approval OF the me
arts commission and the Lincoln me
morial commission and the sanction oil
both branches OF Congress by large
majority In due course it will he given
the approval of the President The 20
tomac Park site-with the Monument on
the east and parkland stretching De-
yond to the foot of'the Capito'; with the
deep broad river on the west AMI wide
fields to he developed into park. and the
hills. oaks and tonIos of Arlington be-
yond-is a picture that has strongly APP
pealed to the American people.
As was indicated i'm the editorial
columns of The Star when the Lincoln
memorial became a prospect. the Potomac
Park site was open to the criticism OF
isolation. The development and popu-
IariZation of Potomac Park within few
years. has diminished the force of that
criticism. but the point of 1t could be
blunted altogether by the construction
of q memorial bridge connecting Potomac
Park. one of the capitals pay places
with Arlington, one of the nationai
shrines. and by the reclamation OF the
lower valley of Rock creek and It's ap-
preparation to park purposes. thus estap-
fishing a link of greenery. drives and
walks between Rock Creek Park. the
National Geological Park and Potomac
Park. Potomac Park by the recent action
of Congress having been given status
not heretofore enjoyed. it is desirable
even essential. to its larger usefulness
that the connection between 1t and Rock
Creek Park should be made The desira-
bility and reasona bleness OF the park use
Of the lower Rock creek valley were urged
before the question of the Lincoln me-
moral site came into public discussion
and this use of the waterway ana its
banks is convincingly indicated now me
cost of this parkway connection Would
he trifiing in comparison with the cost OF
the parks it would unite. and 1t would
greatly increase the usefulness of both
parks besides being useful in itself BY
its reclamation and conversion one or
the Disbursements of the National Capital
would be eliminated.
A bill having this object as its aim les
in a pigeon hole of the House committee
on public buildings and grounds That
bill has run the gauntlet of the Senate.
having been passed by that chamber
August . 1911. The bill was introduced
in the Senate by Mr.. Wetmore. The
District appropriation act of March =
1897, called for report from the Dis
trict Commissioners on plans and esti-
mates for the treatment of the valley OF
Rock creek from Massachusetts avenue
to the mouth of the creek sentiment IN
the House of Representatives should be
favorable to the bill, and with slight ell
fort it could be reported out of its pigeon
hole and action taken on it by the House
at this session
The connection OF Potomac and ROCK
Creek parks would also be step In the
evolution of that systematic plan or capi-
tai park development which compartments
a fort drive or other great boulevard
across the northern part OF the District,
through the Soldiers Home. eastward TO
the Anacostia Park, now developing, ana
along the eastern heights dotted with
fort ruins and which overlook the rivers
and the city.