The Washington times., 1916-12-30
PARK LAND OFFERED
FOR SALE TO U. S.
Owners Of 229 Parcels Willing
to Sell for Rock Creek
Potomac Driveway.

Meeting drive between Rock Creek ana
Potomac Park. 20 parcels have been
offered by owners for sale to the
United States. according TO announce
ment today by the Parkway Commits
sion. .
or the parcels offered. the commits
sion has selected six for Immediate
purchase This was all the commits
sion was able to do at present on ae-
count OF the limited funds at Its dis
posaL From the evidences OF willing
ness on the part Of owners 10 sell To
the Government at reasonable figures.
Il In thought probable tho land may
all be acquired without condemnation
proceedings.
Gives Unrestrieted Route.
The Parkway Commission has APP
proved tho tentative agreement be-
tween Col w. w. Harris. It's executive
officer. and the Washington Gas Light
Company. which II believed 10 be adj
vantngeous to the United States. This
agreement furnishes q free and unre-
stricted route for the parkway over
squares two and three. which are now
occupied by the plant and machinery
OF the Tas company. and between the
main gas plant and the river. settling
for all time the long standing contro-
vsrsy as 20 the rights OF occupancy
upon these squares.
The Gas Company mas agreed q re-
ienr, all title and CLAIM to the lands
desiI ed for this crossing. and has nls"
agreed to remove apparatus and equip
ment from this area upon notice from
the commission that the land Is ro'
auirod for parkway use.
Get. Use OF wharf Ares.
In return for this concession the
company will have use, without ltle,
OF a wharf area on the river and the
discussed bed OF II street between
Twenty.rixth and Twenty.sevonth
streets northwest, where ~ passes be-
tween two units OF the gas plant
Buildings for the wharf must be ap'
proved by the engineer officer IN
charge OF public buildings and grounds
so that no unsightly structure may DC
built
Recommendation for the purchase
OF the six parcels OF land approved by
the commission marks the initial step
toward actually acquiring property
for the connecting parkway which u
one OF the most elaborate features OF
present plans for the Capitals beauti'
fication. The land for the connecting
drive way will cost q million ana
quarter. The plan OF Improvement
will be AIDED 20 this cost.
Make I.psrtsst step
In announcing It's first steps the
parkway commission. In a statement,
says:
This marks n very important step
In the work OF constructing the park
way: a step which bids fair TO be
continuous. as there u no doubt that
Congress intends TO prosecute inc
work 10 a speedy conclusion.
There 10 every reason why wash
InEtonIans should feel that the pres
ent Congress fully appreciates the
need of connecting these large pub
lie reservations In such way as TO
eliminate n iong-standing condition OF
sordidness. where once n fair stream
wendell its way"
The members OF the Rock Creek and
Potomac Parkway Commission In
charge OF the Improvement are Sec
Rotary OF the Treasury McAdoo. chair
man; Secretary OF War Baker and
secretary OF Agriculture Houston.
Col. w. w. Harris 10 executive officer.
and William J. Matin. executive clerk
OF the Treasury Department 10 sec
rotary OF the commission.