The Washington times., 1919-05-10
RURAL BEAUTY
Of ROADS TO
Be RETAINED
Fine Arts Commission Wants
Suburban Highways to Fol-
low Natural Topography.
ny BILL PRICE.

ny BILL PRICE.
The Fine Arts Commission. TO
which Congress intrusted advisory
duties relative to the Identification
of Washington, persists in the view
that the permanent system OF high
WAYS for the District OF Columbia
should be modified as far as possible
If suburban sections are to conform
in beauty and economic value to the
oldest part Of Washington, admitted
by engineers Of the world to be the
most beautifully arranged and laid
of plot IN this country.
This beauty Of old Washington Is
largely due, in the opinion of artists
and engineers, to the many wide ave
nues fntersecting the streets running
north and south, the shade trees and
foliage contributing.
Criticize CommIsSion's Plan.
The criticism OF the Fine Arts Com
mission is that the tendency Of the
existing highway plan and OF officials
who have its execution in charge is to
tear down the hills and fill up the
valleys, thereby destroying the charm
Of large portions OF the District and
creating a monotonoUs development
in the shape Of blocks of houses in
stead Of isolated residences.
The contention is that to the ut
most limits the highway plans should
be r6afranged so that suburban high
ways will conform TO the topography
Of the ground, thus obviating much
excavation and filling at great cost
to the city and to property owners.
The old roadways have attained
greater charm now than at any
previous time in the minds OF the
artists and architests who compose
the commission. It is especially de-
Eirable. officials OF the commission
hold. that the country roads be re-
tanned as park entrances and as pub
lie thoroughfares upon which homes
may be built. The old roads, en-
gineers have found, were well placed,
following the topography of the
ground, and, as a Eule. keeping -close
10 streams. lending additional beauty.
Makes Topography study,
ThG present highway plans follow
straight lines too closely and at
:heavy cost for excavations AMI fills.
Winding roadways would make Of
the suburban District OF Columbia
an area worth looking at, il is held.
J. G. Langdon. the expert attached
10 the commission under Col. c. 5.
Ridley, in charge OF public buildings
and grounds. secretary and executive
officer Of the Fine Arts Commission,
has for years studied the topography
Of the District and is constantly en-
Gagged in making plans for the future
Identification of Washington. Piece
by piece plans are authorized by
congress. Mr.. Lang6on is recognized
as an expert in city planning, land
scape work, and park development.
Sefore coming TO Washington he did
valuabie work for the city OF Chi
ago. where parks and Fairgrounds
ere 50 closely plotted that no child
has to walk more than half mile
10 reach a playground or a mile TO
get into a park.
Mr.. Langdon often grieves over the
failure Of the District highway plan
10 take into consideration, in artistic
and economical manner, the topog-
7-aphy Of suburban Washington. BY
direction Of the Fine Arts Commission
hO has in the past addressed num-
~ Of communications to the District
commissioners end the chief OF engi-
-,eers Of the army. the latter mem
ser OF the Federal Highway Commits
sion along with the Secretary OF War
md the Secretary OF the Interior
These communications have borne
nc extensive fruit.
Colonel Rutz's Views.
Colonel Kutz, Engineer Commission
~ OF the District discussing the high
lay plan with The Times, admitted
hat it is not so perfect as il should
he. but said that the machinery for
lettering the existing plans is de-
cidedIy cumbersome and difficult
Four minor notifications or the plans
re now in contemplation by Colonel
i,utZ's office. in each case IL is neces-
sry to advertise the proposed changes
hat hearings may be held to obtain
ne attitude Of property owners and
others. After these hearings. tho
commissioners may order changes to
b made, but before the orders become
dnal they must be submitted TO tho
Federal Highways Commission. the
membership OF which has already been
-Fated This commiss generally ap-
proves. but has on a number Of occa-
lions disspproved.
Colonel Kutz's office invites he
submission Of definite suggestions for
rhanges in the highway plans for any
part OF the District. and Will, IL the
suggestions are considered good. hold
hearings. with a view 10 action. Tho
opinions of the Fine Arts Commission.
. is stated, are or a general nature
and at no time have been submitted
N SPECIFIC form.
Acquisitions 20 Rock Greek.
Mr.. Langdon has in the last lev
years conducted the negotiations ~
which ssventy-hve parcels of lana
have been added TO Rock Creek Park.
These, in every instance. have been
scquird below the assessed vaIutIons.
Among the Parcels obtained arc acre
age properties on Kaiorsma Heights
between Connecticut and Massachu-
setts avenues. from tho DreXler es-
tate; from the Massachusetts Avenue
syndicate. lands that will connect re
parkway with Rock Creek drive: from
he estate Of John G. BUllitt, back Of
sheridan circle, in the bottom of the
valley, and the Baker estate, south Of
p street