The Washington times., 1914-08-21
F FAVORS MOVING OF
:. BOTANIC GARDEN
z ~ ~
-ouis P. Shoemaker Indorses
Times Suggestion of Rock
Creek Park for Site.

Strong Endorsement of the views ex-
-essed edItorially by The Times on
r7e proposed movement of the Botanic
arden To Rock Creek Park, and the
Establishment of transportation facili-
IS through the park to afford the
eneral public opportunity to enjoy the
rroundipgs, was today voiced by
ouis p Shoemaker, well known in
Washington business circles.
Mr. Shoemaker points to the fact that
lis tract of land was secured at large
Npense TO the Federal Government, and
Inc taxpayers of the District. For that
reason, he asserts. it should be de-
eloped for the enjoyment of the whole
b Ddy of the city's residents. There is
Tple cleared ground. Mr.. Shoemaker
contends, for the location OF the Gar
den within the park without the de-
Q ructon of the groves, and the lay
ing of electric railways through the
J arkvay could not detract from its
heauty in proportion to the pleasure
that would be given to the thousands
Who are now precluded from frequent
Ing the park because Of a lack Of
transportation facilities.
Mr.. Shoemaker's Views.
In discussing the subject. Mr.. Shoe
maker said:
7 appreciate the recent editorial in
The Times with reference to Rock Creek
ark. This advocacy for its further
Improvement will be a potent factor
toward securing that which is most de-
sired and much needed by the people.
The Brightwood Citizens Association
has for several years passed resolutions
l. advocacy of railway facilities, not
only to, but In and through the park. We
{ at it's shame to have a great tract OF
G oout LOO acres Of land, most admir-
0ly adapted for park purposes, yet OF
s. little utility to the people
IT was DESIGNED . BY C Congress; e,s. s,,ss as
eround for the benefit of the people of
tne United States" even although the
Ia ndd owners of the District of Column
bia are required to pay half the cost,
G ID the United States took the title to
7 sderal territory as completely as the
United States Capitol grounds and pub
lie buildings Consistency, therefore,
Y ould demand that the few land owners
and tax payers Of the District of Column
tia, should be required to pay the cost
of all other Federal improvements II
haf the cost of this park is to be
cr lrge TO our people
Would Not Mar Beauty.
II has been suggested. and you men,
toned in your editorial, that some of
TIE natural beauty of the park might be
uarred by an electric road. We have
never been in sympathy with this view,
and / am gratified to notice that you
90 not entertain 1t. / am Of the opinion
" oods and over this beautiful undu-
lating territory would not only be or
great advantage to the travelling public,
bit gratifying sight to those who
u ght view II, vending its way along
the sinuous borders of Rock Creek
stream, from the urban edge of the
Capital of our nation to the boundary
of the District of Columbia, almost five
that the rural character OF this park
would not be marred, and We contend
lat the great object to be attained
ty the ownership on the part of the
G1yernment Of this tract of land, is to
i axe 1t of utility, advantage and pleas
4 = to all the people, and we now assert
that this can be done in no other way
q an by providing means of access for
f-e thousands of people without auto
I ooiles and horses, who would be glad
4 20 out there to see and admire the
BEAUTIES of nature, hear the songs of the
b IDS, and breathe the pure air of
= tsaven.
Such railroad. of course should be.
and no doubt would be. constructed with
E eat care. and under proper restric-
tons. No regret. however, should be
Entertained because of the necessity,
J maps, of removing a few trees. be-
y Att dlHlOSl the SHIlIo hOCh Nrcch
E o7untrv is covered with an abundance
G. them, and in many places trashy
/ shes and small trees have been allow
p TO grow in the park so close to-
Hrther that they can never mature. II
! !ght well be contended that one per-
& q tree Is worth half dozen imperfect.
Y en-, too, the removal of some of these
ess would open UP a beautiful land
ape and afford an opportunity to view
the distance a topography more beau
Z III than any that can be found so
ar anv large city in this country.
Nv this view is obstructed.
Many Could Be Spared.
7 am not opposed to trees. In fact,
J admire them, and like to see bushes
s owing in certain places where they
y 0uld lend beauty to the park. /, how
. er. put the utility of the park and
} nan life and property above the trees
3 4 bushes, particularly where the trees
o bushes are to be found in such
y. est numbers that they can be readily
. red.
ongress acquired this park as Icng
BEo as 1890. For more than ten or
: % elve years. not a dollar was appropri- |
o ed to improve II, not a road was made |
Z -ough IL. and II was as useless to our |