The Washington times., 1925-06-19
\. !. FIGHT FOR
PARKS To MD
CAPITAL
Empire State Congressman
Expected to Help situa-
ton Here

New York members Of Congress,
aroused to the necessity OF provid-
ing public parks by q desperate
fight now being waged in that
State for immediate purchase of
rapidly dwindling possible park
sites. are expected to join with
friends of the District in fight
this winter for a full appropriation
of $1,1O0,000 for the National
Capital Park Commission.
The present appropriation of
$500, 900, 1t is stated, is insufficient
to enable purchase of necessary
park sites as rapidly as the en-.
croachments of building operations
makes advisable.
While the situarfon In and near
the District is not as serious as
that In New York, it is becoming
sufficiently grave to warrant alarm
to those interested in the develop
ment of the National Capital
So serious~-is the need for I'm
mediate purchase of park areas in
Ne " York State that the State
legislature will be called into ex-
traordinary session Monday to con-
slider immediate appropriation of
S. 100000 for park purchase, and
the floating of a 5000, 900 bond
issue to continue the work.
Al Smith Leads Fight.
Governor Al Smith is leading the
fight for parks and has called
radio to his aid in arousing public
opinion against foes of the plan.
In his fight for the parks in
New York Governor Smith has
made a number OF statements re.
garding park needs in every part
of the nation which apply with
especial force in Washington and
which Gave been called to the at,
tention of park officials here.
Parks are not a luxury they
are sound public economy. They
are a paying investment In welfare.
health and happiness" Governor
Smith says.
THE opportunity to make the
investment will not always be open.
have repeatedly called attention
to the necessity of securing ade-
Quate parks Immediately. Unless
We do this we soon will be unable
to acquire them at all. We will
reach the point soon where prices
will be prohibitiye"
1t is the duty of government to
do all in its power TO provide for
ests and parks for the pleasure
and physical betterment of the
people, Governor Smith holds.
"A robust and happy citizenship
depends upon prompt and energetic
measures TO see that adequate park
and forest reservations are pro-
Vided by the Government now be.
fore 1t is too late.
Endorsed BY ID. C. Officials.
When the State provides every
family with an opportunity for
Eealthful out-of-door recreation in
parks preserved, protected and
beautified by the State one of the
most important functions of benefi.
cent and stable government will
have been fulfilled"
These arguments. endorsed heart
fly by park officials here, are ex-
pected to be turned to account
during the fight before Congress
this winter for larger park appro-
priations for Washington.
Two years ago Congress created
| the National Capital Park Commits
sion and authorized an annual APP
preparation of not to exceed per
| cent for every inhabitant of the
continental United States for its
Use in extending the District park
and playground system. Although
the maximum authorization should
by. this time have provided 1920 :
600. only 5000 900 has been appro-
priated BY Congress- 49,.