Evening star., 1923-12-07
Weeks Transmits Report of
Army Engineers to GiI|ett,
With Recommendations.
SAYS EAST PART OF CITY
NEEDS RECREATION AREA
Declares Reclamation Is in Line
With Plan for District
Identification.

+ Urging the continuation of the
reclamation and development of Ana
costa river and flats as a park above
Benning bridge, with certain recon-
mendations as to notifications which
should be made in the interests of
economy, and stressing the impor-
tance for more recreational parks for
the eastern part of the District, Sec
retary Weeks today transmitted to
Speaker Gillett a report by the board
of engineers, required In the District
appropriation bill of last year.
The report is clear and conclusive.
says Gen. Lansing Fl. Beach, chief of
engineers. "It shows that from the
standpoints both of national and mu-
nicipal interests, it is desirable TO
continue the reclamation and develop.
ment of the river and flats as part OF
Anacostia Park between Benning
the existing project can be modined
without detriment TO the public in
terest so as to effect an estimated
saving to the project of p per cent
of the present estimated cost l con,
cur in general in the views ana
recommendations of the board.
Gen. Beach points out that 1t IS
made plain in other reports that lhe
park project is to be regarded as
separate and distinct from a develop
ment by the United States OF ma
tional arboretum botanic garden and
Il bird refuge. A large acreage with
out the park boundary-an that can
be set aside for such purposes with
out detriment to the parks recon-
mended to be so set aside. The cost,
if any. Of acquiring the lands and de-
veloping them for these purposes,
however. as for other comparable ma
tional projects elsewhere. 1t is be
lieved, should be supported by the
general government.
should Ascertain Limits.
The limits of the area that can be
withdrawn from the parks and de-
voted to the uses of the Department
of Agriculture should be authorized
and directed to be ascertained by the
board and reported to the chief Of
engineers for approval. Gen. Beach
emphasizes. He also advises Con-
gress that the area 30 found and ap-
ferred. if required by the government.
upon reimbursement of the park
project.
''It will reduce the cost OF the park
project to accomplish a partial recla-
nation of certain parts of the park
area by the District of Columbia by
dump fills. The use by the District of
Columbia of the areas that can thus
be partially reclaimed should not be
permanent. however II will be de-
sirable, therefore" Gen. Beach sus
gests, that the chief of engineers,
while prosecuting the project for park
development, grant to the District OF
Columbia. from time to time, the tenn
porary use of designated areas of the
park for the purpose of making dump
fills
The report lays stress upon the i'm
'provement of health conditions that
will result from continuing the park
project. 1t says that since the in
ception Of the reclamation of the
Anacostia river flats one of the prin-
cipal objects has been the elimina-
ton of the malarial mosquito breed
ing marshes.
about two square miles in extent.
They We're adjacent to central parts
of the city and were a constant men
ace to the health of the residents. AL
ready much benefit has resulted from
the filling in of the marshes below
Benning road. Malaria. which was
formerly a common disease at the
navy yard, Government Hospital for
the Insane, Washington barracks and
the District jail, institutions adjoin-
ing these marshes, has now almost
disappeared AS the section of Ana
costa Park above Benning road is the
only remaining mosquito breeding
marsh in the District of Columbia. the
reclamation work should be continued
to remove these insanitary Condi-
tons
Additional Parks Needed.
Regarding the need for additional
parks as the city grows, the report
says
washington is the capital of the
nation and as such special attention
must be paid to its status and future
growth. In a report made in 1921 upon
the increased water supply for the
District of Columbia Maj. Mack 7.
Tyler, Corps of Engineers. L. S. A,
after a careful investigation deter
mined that in 1880 the population
probably would be above 100000.
With such a population. practically