Evening star., 1919-02-24
EN[ARGES THE AREA.
FOR GARDEN WORK.
War Secretary Authorizes
Use of Additional Land in
East Potomac Park.
REPORT BY COL. RIDLEY

On the reconme ndation of Col
Clarence S. Ridley, the engineer Of
ficer In charge Of public buildings and
grounds, the Secretary OF War has
the use of additional land
in East Potomac Park for gardening
purposes during the coming season.
In presenting the matter 10 the War
Depart tment. Col. Ridley stated that
various applications have been re-
ceived for such use; that there is a
considerable portion of the park
which has not been developed, and
which would be available for culti-
walton this year; that it is believed
to be very beneficial to the soil to
have 1t cultivated for time before
sowing in grass. and that it would be
to the interest OF the United States to
permit gardening, thus giving neces-
sary cultivation without cost to the
United States.
Agent for D. C. Designated.
The Department Of Agriculture has
designated one Of its employees TO act
as an agent for the District Of CO.
lunbia In the matter of gardens and
to supervise their operation. Such
land in east Potomac Park as is avail
able for cultivation Will be allotted
in corporation with such agent, who
will assign small plots OF ground to
Individuals who have no land of their
ov n for cultivation.
In 1917 about sixty-five acres of that
park was cultivated by the Boy Scouts
under permission from the officer in
charge. and last year about thirty
acres were used for war gardens under
permits granted BY him. May 25, 1913,
an additional area, which was being
developed as golf course, was turned
over to the Boy Scouts for gardening
purposes, in accordance with the di-
rection Of the Secretary OF War.
Indorsed by Gen. Black.
In submitting the matter to the war
Department Gen. Black. chief of engi-
neers, indorsed the proposition OF Col.
Ridley in the following words:
1T would seem that the use of the
land in question for gardening. Is in
accordance with the wishes OF Con-
gress and OF the Secretary Of War,
and 1t is believed that the proposal to
Cooperate with the agent designated
by tho Department of Agriculture is
wise one. This Department will thus
be reliey cd OF the work incident to the
selection of the proper persons to
wnOm the privileges 8houiQ De grant
ed, as the gardens will be allotted and
supervised in accordance with the
plan which has been adopted by the
Department OF Agriculture for the
production OF individual gardening
and increasing the production of food.
Quotes Revised Statute.
Section 222 of the Revised Statutes
of the District of Colubia provides
that no public reservation in the city
of Washington shall be occupied by
any private person or for any private
purpose whatever However, under
date of December 13, 1904, in connec-
ton with an application by the Phila-
delphia, Baltimore and Washington
Railroad Company for permission to
temporarily place sidetracks upon
United States reservation No. ia, the
Judge advocate general held that as
the occupation appeared to be neces-
sary in the handling of materials for
public buildings authorized by Con-
gr4ss. 1t could be regarded as for a
public purpose and as not forbidden
by the statute In question. In this
case. 1t is thought that the public
benefits resulting from the cultivation
and development OF the land and
from increased food production are
suficient to warrant considering the
use proposed as Of a public nature,
and therefore not prohibited by Sec
ton 22z. referred to above.