Evening star., 1914-04-08
Opposes Any Encroachment
on Potomac Reservation
by Aero Laboratory.
HIGH ARMY OFFICERS
SUPPORT SECRETARY
All Consider It Inexpedient to
Grant Permission to Smithsonian
Institution Branch.

II Secretary Garrison and the officers
of the Corps of Engineers have their
way, Potomac Park will be preserved ex-
clusively as a park and playground for
the people and protected against all en-
croachments that possibly might inter
fere- That policy is emphasized in cor
respondence between War Department
officials and Prof. Charles D. Walcott
chairman of the Langley aerodynamical
laboratory of the Smithsonian Institu-
ton. That correspondence covers a
period of several months and is exceed
ingly voluminous. Prof. Walcott and
his scientific associates consider the
new section of Potomac Park, lying east
of the Pennsylvania railroad embank-
ment as admirably adapted for use in
experiments with hydroaeroplanes and
similar flying machines.
Permission Is Denied.
They applied to the War Department
several weeks ago for permission to use
a section of the park for that purpose
and were informed that the judge advo-
cate general had given an opinion that
such permission could not be given under
the statutes governing the park. except
pE SpeCiHc act OF congress.
Thereupon the Smithsonian authorities
decided TO appeal direct to Congress for
authority to use the park for the pro-
posed experiments. A resolution was
drafted embodying that idea and a copy
was sent to Secretary Garrison with a
view to getting his Endorsement
Following the usual routine, Prof Wal
cott,s letter was referred to Gen King
man. chief of engineers. and to Col
Harts. in charge of public buildings and
grounds. for their views on the subject
Both officers reported adversely on the
proposition.
Col. Burr's Statement.
Col Edward Burr. representing the
chief of engineers, said:
Congress has adopted a special policy
for Potomac Park and it is the opinion
of this office that recommendations look
ing to the alteration of the policy should
not be made except far the soundest of
reasons. 1t is manifest from the report
of the officer in charge of public build
ings and grounds that the action pro-
posed in favor of the Smithsonian Insti--
tuition would. II concurred In. constitute
troublesome precedent which would re-
suit in an unsa atisfactory confusion of
policies and jurisdiction. There exists
at all times a temptation to encroach
purposes for which they have been estab-
lished and it is believed that the author
tiles responsible for their integrity should
firmly resist ali encroachments upon
them
Garrison's Attitude.
After full consideration of the sub
ject, Secretary Garrison decided that it
would be inexpedient To permit the use
of Potomac Park for aeronauical ex-
periments. His views are expressed in a
letter forwarded to Prof. Walcott today,
in which he said:
Il very carefully considered the pro-
posed resolution TO authorize the Secre-
tary of War to grant the temporary use
of Potomac Park east of the railway en-
bankment for aeronautical experiments
under the Smithsonian Institution, with
view to determining whether this de-
partment could recommend its approval,
and ] am led to conclude that the de-
partment cannot approve the use of any
of the area desired by the Langley
aerodynamical laboratory for the pur-
pose of experimentation in aeronautics.
The department is fully sensible of the
advantage derived by the military serv-
ice from the work in aeronautics done
by the Langley aerodynamfcal laboratory,
and l have endeavored to find a way to
give my dppTONdl ~ Tie IopOSeu iuctdS-
ure, desiring as / do to further the in
vestigation of problems in every way
possible, but two considerations compel
me to be in opposition to the proposal
to permit the use of Potomac Park east
of the railway embankment for aero
nautical experiments.
Two Reasons Given.
First This use would be repugnant
to the use of this area for park pur-
poses to which use it is now dedicated
and in process of being improved there
for
The second and most formidable
reason against the establishment of this
laboratory is the danger that would
attend the use of flying machines on
the property proposed to be used for
the aerodynamical laboratory, which
property is now partially and will be
completely surrounded by q roadway.
which Will be used by hundreds Of
vehicles every fair day. The traffic of
pleasure vehicles and horseback riders
will be very great on this road, and its
location is such that the users of the
road would be subject to imminent
danger of injury or death in case of
accident to an aeroplane in rising or in
landing.
These considerations ! regret to say,
compel me to conclude that l cannot
give my approva! to the above-men-
fioped -eSol1Iion