Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-15
CANAL WILL ADD
TO PARK BEAUTIES
Glenn Brown SO Declares in
Discussing Rock Creek
Valley Treatment.
PICTURES DELIGHTS
OF IMPROVEMENTS
Would Make Mall the Center of All
Development Georgetown Citi-
zens Approve Cleanup.


Architects, and chairman OF the commit
tee Of 100 on the future development OF
Washington. at the monthly meeting OF
the Georgetown Citizens Association.
Mr.. Brown was giving an illustrated lee
ture on the proposed treatment Of Rock
Creek valley and its connection with
Potomac Park. He told his audience that
he felt 1t was the duty OF the citizens
themselves to see that the proposed i'm
prOyements were carried out, and de-
clared he deplored the fact that there
seemed to be no way by. which the dump
ing into the creek could be stopped, and
pointed out that nature will work won
ders with this land If only the dumping is
prohibited.
Approval also was given the cleanup
campaign which is now being waged all
over the city at short business session
OF the association which preceded MIR.
Browns lecture. An appropriation OF SO
was provided for, to be expended under
the direction of DIR. George w. Wood,
chairman Of the public health committee,
in the cleaning up OF Georgetown.
Describes Plans for Mall.
With the aid of maps, Mr.. Brown
showed the plan for the city's improve
ment, as outlined by George Washington;
how this plan was obliterated by later
work Of others, and Of the efforts now
being made to correct the mistakes and
to make the city beautiful conform to
the original plans as outlined by the first
President. With the Mall as a center.
he explained the plan to have an open
vista from the Capitol to the Monument
Pennsylvania station and the green
houses of the Botanic Garden. He
told Of the successful efforts made to
get the new Agricultural Department
buildings and the New National Museum
on either side Of the proposed open vista
Then he explained why the Lincoln me-
mortal was to be placed at the spot Sc
lected for 1t, in a line with the Wash
ington Monument.
Mr.. Brown carried bis audience by way OF
maps past the Lincoln memorial, up the
river to Rock creek, and then through
Rock Creek and Geological parks. then
east. through the Soldiers Home grounds
and Kendall Green to the Anacostia
making complete circle. He explained
that it was the intention Of the original
park commission to have a circle OF
parks about the city.
Discusses Treatment.
| He showed the proposed treatment Of
the Washington Monument, which, he
| said, was not completed. and spoke Of the
intention to clear away the Botanic
Garden. leaving the Grant monument
standing at the place of dignity at the
head of the Mall, INSTEAD of being sur
rounded by the unsightly iron fence and
| In the proposed Improvement of the city
! he declared that he considered that
lGrant's monument should be- first treat
ed. He asserted that the Mall was the
| important center in the proposed De2ut1
| fcation of the city.
! On the screen were shown scenes along
Rock creek, from its mouth to point
where it joins the Geological Park, and
unsightly dumping places were shown
These We're contrasted by scenes farther
lup the creek, where nature, unaided In
any way. had worked wonders.
Again returning to the Lincoln me
mortal, Mr.. Brown took his audience -uI
the river banks until I'VE come to wha
| ed banks and charming valleys-now {
| disgrace to the natiOn-bOrdered will
Iunmentionable refuse hurtful to thu
eyes and nostrils. The disgrace Of hav
open sewer has been felt for a grea
many years.
Former Investigation.
"Some twenty years ago careful in
| vestigation was made with reference
to covering this creek and thus oblit
Grating the eyesOre and keeping it as {
dumping ground for fifty years o.
more. Happily, the report of Col. Ros
sci proved that undertaking of sucf
great cost that the subject was drop
ped and the dumping kept going on. a.
it is even today"
He told of the efforts 10 get the sur
vey of the proposed park provided for
as well as provision for the condemna
| on of the land, giving large credit t,
Senator Root. Over all these years, h,
said, the dumping has been going on
No one seems to know how to stop II
he declared.
1.-The beauties which may result from
this important connecting link MI
| Brown continued. may we'll give u
pleasure in anticipation of the results
Going along the calm river to the mout
of Rock creek, nothing will be NOR
pleasing than the outlook to Analosta
Island resting under the trees.
THE canal. in my opinion need no
be stumbling block In the way, as tn
canal running through this section of tn
park will add to its picturesque efrec
and the interest of visitors. We onf
Pennsylvania avenue to Q street the dunn
will have to be moved in some cases
and retaining walls built to get drive
and walks. But even these Will be hid
den and become beautiful with fowerin
roses. wistafia bush and great trees o.
their high levels.
Tunnel Is Necessary.