The Washington times., 1925-03-17
FORT STEVENS
MAY Be CITY
PARK
Cong. S. E. Cook Urges His
toric Brightwood Land
mark Be Preserved

Historic Fort Stevens, Bright.
wood, where President Lincoln was
under fire during as-skirmish be-
tween Union and Confederate troops
during the civil war, should be
converted into one OF the most
beautiful parks in the, National
Capital.
This is the opinion of Congress-
man Samuel T.. Cook of Indiana,
who has been actively seeking
passage OF bill designed to estab-
Iish national military park at tho
Old tort, and to acquire such lands
as may be necessary to preserve
the landmark.
Secretary Weeks, OF the War De.
partment, in a communication to
Congressman Cook, declares that
while he is extremely interested in
Americas battlefieids, he is unable
| at the present time to consider Fort
Stevens as a military park project.
IF It Is not deemed wise to estab-
fish Fort Stevens as a military
park" Congressman Cook said.
then 1t should be established as a
city park, somewhat similar in size
and beauty to Lincoln Park in the
eastern part Of the city.
City of Parks.
Washington is a city of parks,
and the sentiment in their favor is
constantly growing. The city is ex-
banding in the objection of Fort
Stevens. The latter is near@ Walter
Reed Hospital and the National
Cemetery, where sleep some of
| those who fell in the battle. There
is no other park in that section of
the city and the land is now vacant,
with the exception of a few houses
Immediately south of the fort. =
There Is a movement for a gen.
eral park system connecting all of
the forts surrounding the city.
However, 1t is apparent that much
time, perhaps many years, will be
required to accomplish such a
great object and there is danger
that while waiting for that, this
historic spot mst be entirely de.
stroyed. improvements are very
near 1t and the necessary land
should be secured before it is too
late and have it in readiness to be
linked up with the great highway
connecting all Of the forts surround
ing the city.
II do not base my position on the
size of the battle. which occurred
in front of Fort Stevens, but on the
fact that President Lincoln stood
on the works of this fort. under
fire, while the battle was going on.
That fact alone makes the place
where he stood of great historic
value and adds a human interest,
which is not found elsewhere.
Occasion Memorable.
while the battle was not a
large one, it has more than an
ordinary significance and historic
value, because it was the only mil
itary attack on the city of Wash
ington in the civil war, and &C.
CURED in the District Of Columbia
within sight Of the dome OF the
Capitol.
II believe 1t is the duty Of each
generation to preserve for future
generations as many places OF
historical interest. relating to the
country, as Is possible. They re-
fleet the glory of Ine past and are
an inspiration to the future.
"I fully realize the many import
ant questions which are presented
to Congress for consideration and
how much time is necessarily re-
uuired to enact legislation, yet |
hope it will take time enough at
the next session 20 fully consider
this question and take some steps
to properly preserve this historic
place before it's present condition
ia DESTROYED