Evening star., 1924-12-01
S3,5l6,OO0 asked by Engineers
For Continuing Conduit Work

the river" and submits an estimate
of $3.50, 600 for the work.
Referring to the completion of the
Francis Scott Key Bridge and its
transfer to the jurisdiction of the
District Commissioners, he states the
effect of the Improvement" as
The former congestion Of vehicular
traffic over the old bridge has been
eliminated and a large increase in
the number of vehicles passing be-
ween Rosslyn. Va, and Georgetown.
y. G., has been noted. This is due
TO expediting passenger traffic and
to raising the former restrictions on
the loads of commercial vehicles. In
this way the District of Columbia
has profted by the easy and direct
means of communication with the
railroad yards in Rosslyn. Va. Dur
ing periods of ceremonies in the Dis
trict of Columbia the bridge has fa-
cilitated the movement of traffic to
Arlington and other points of ma
tional interest in Virginia. Since the
opening of the bridge. land values in
Rosslyn, Va, have increased to a
large extent and an increase in com
mercial activities has also been
noted"
Gen. Taylor gives detailed review
Of operations on the various Federal
projects in the District, including the
Fairgrounds and the bathing beach.
during the past year and the plans
for the improvements of the various
parks, etc. Twenty-three small spaces
were added to the park system and
the area of one triangle was increased
in size by transfer from the Dis
trict Commissioners. The total area
added was 4279 acres One small
reservation, containing LIS square
feet, was transferred to the District
Commissioners. The changes men
park spaces containing 1875 acres
and gave on June so. 1924. a total
of sos parks and park spaces with
a total area of 2.S14.s4 acres, exclu-
sive OF the Tidal Basin in West Poto-
mac Park, which covers an area of
110 acres; of the total of sos parks
and park spaces 37l are improved
and 135 unimoroved.
Wooden Barrack Buildings.
Many of the wooden barrack build
ings erected by the War Department
on East Potomac Park in 1918 are
still standing, says Gen. Taylor "a
detriment to the appearance OF the
park and an obstacle to the improve
ment of the area they occupy" He
added: They are on the Washington
Channel side of the park, almost bor-
dering the driveway, and in plain and
unpleasant view from the hundreds
of automobiles which use this road
daily The buildings are used for
storage purposes by the General Sup
ply Committee, which in addition has
on the open ground in the rear a num-
ber Of unsightly piles OF old iron
and miscellaneous junk. During the
fiscal year % of the buildings which
had been vacated by the committee
were, by authority of the Public
Buildings Commission, which has
jurisdiction over the disposition of
the structures, turned over to the
QuartermaSter General of the Army
for demolition and salvage"
Regarding plans for the improve
ment of Rock Creek Park, Gen. Tay-
lor says:
THE purpose is to preserve the
natural beauty of the park while
making II more available for the use
of the public for riding, driving and
walking. For this purpose the area
Of the park is divided into use areas
and growth areas. depending on To-
cation and character Of soil and pres
ent growth. These areas are to be
developed in a natural way by en-
couraging the growth of the best
trees and plants and protecting them
from fire and disease. Depending on
the use to be made of the various
portions of the park, paths and roads
are to be constructed Provision Is
made for bringing people in the fu-