Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-07
OBJECT To PLACING
ON DISTRICT ENTIRE
COST OF PARK SITES
Commissioners Say Pro-
visions of House Bill Are
ManifestB Unfair.
WANT US. TO PAY HALF.
AS WAS FIRST INTENDED
Measure Provides for Acquiring
Parcels to Connect Two
Great Parks.

Acquisition Of the remaining parcels
Of land needed to corapIete the con
nection between Rock Creek and Po-
tomac Parks, as authorized in 1913, al
"A cost of approximately $500 900. to be
paid out of the accumulated surplus
10 the credit of the District in the
Federal Treas surv, as provided in the
bill favorably reported to the House
yesterday by the District committee.
will not be approved by the Commis-
sloners unless the Federal Govern
ment contributes an equal share of
the necessary revenues.
Commissioners Bell and Rudolph
both pointed out today that the ap-
preparation of $1,000 900 in 1913 for
the connection project was made on Il
$3.50 proportion between the Federal
and District Governments, and that
the few remaining parcels should be
acquired on this financial arrange
ment.
Unfair to District
Il agree with Representative zihl-
man that the language of the original
act should be continued, making pay
ment for this land on a $3.50 basis.
declared Commissioner Rudolph 1T
would certainly be unfair to have the
District buy the remaining parcels out
of its surplus revenues"
Commissioner Bell explained that
under the law the 60-4O basis of tinan-
cling the District still exists and that
all appropriations are framed by the
Commissioners on this basis, even
though the Bureau of the Budget fails
to recognize it. In view of this, he
said, the Federal Government should
contribute 40 per cent of the $500 900.
if il does not continue making pay
ment for the land on the $3.50 basis, as
originally contemplated.
Wording Was Changed.
The bill originally was worded SO
that the entire cost of the project
would be paid by the Federal Gov
ernment, Commissioner Bell explained.
but this was later changed 10 that
the District would be required to pay
so per cent of the cost.
Daniel J. Donovan, District auditor.
explained that only $500, ,02s.75 re
mains in the Treasury to the credit
of the District out of the original
surplus of s5,257, ,52s.75, and that
$500, 900 had been set aside for pur-
chase of the land needed to complete
the park connections. While Poto-
mac and Rock Creek parks, as well
as the Geological Park, are entirely
under Federal jurisdiction and con
troll, Mr.. Donovan said that the Dis
trict has contributed toward their
development on the $3.50 basis.
The Commissioners and all others
concerned have repeatedly maintained
that the Federal Government should
match surplus revenues 81 for 81. as
it accumulated under the old $3.50
basis" declared Maj. Donovan. But
when Congress recognized the Dis
| trict surplus il stipulated that II
should be expended on public schools.
parks and Fairgrounds, and the Item
| of $500 900 was reserved at that time
for completion of the Potomac-Rock
| Creek Park connection"
Might Delay Project.
| Opposition to the proposal to take
| $500 900 of District surplus funds IN
| the Treasury for the purchase OF
t1173 acres of land necessary to com
plete the Rock Creek k-Potomac Park
wav would seriously retard the work
! of preparing this great connecting link
between Rock Creek and Potomac
Park for the use of the people. 1t was
pointed out today at the office OF
public buildings and public parks.
People of the District of Columbia
would obtain full advantage from the
use of this money for park purposes,
it was stated. and if they insisted
that the Federal government match
| the sum. this might serve to delay
| the completion of this parkway for
many years.
Even after the land is acquired, il
was pointed out, the Federal govern
ment will have to expend about
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