Evening star., 1926-02-21
CITIZENS PROPOSE
| PARK BILL CHANGE
Federation Would Place Cost
of Sites on United States
in Larger Measure.

Three amendments to the act
amending the existing National Capt.
tai Park Commission creating
National Capital Plan Commission,
tending TO place much of the burden
of expense in connection with con-
struction or purchase of park areas
on the Federal Government We're
adopted by the Federation of Citizens
Association meeting in the board
room of the District building last
night. At the same time the fedora
ton returned to the Congress Heights
Citizens Association without action
a resolution proposing a committee
inquiry into the fitness of Jesse G.
Suter. president of the federation, to
serve as it's head and as chairman
of the Citizens Advisory Council while
secretary of the Coal Merchants
Board Of Trade.
The federation deliberated more
than two hours on the amendments
10 the bill creating a National Capt.
tai Plan Commission and finally
adopted proposals offered by George
A Kicker. chairman of the city plan
ming committee. and ]. G.. Yaden of
the Petworth Association. Much of
the discussion Centered on the fitness
Of city planners Of Washington to
serve on the commission and on the
Washington representation on the
planning body.
Kicker Motion Carries.
A motion by Mr.. Kicker. amended
by Mr.. Yaden, to urge a change in
the appointed membership OF the
commission from four to six men,
bers, of whom two would be from
Washington, prevailed in the face OF
several other amendments and coun-
-er amendments.
An amendment by George r. Wales
Of the Cathedral Heights Association
providing that any plan Of the exec
utives administering the work of
the commission need not necessarily
await the commission action prevailed
over a motion offered by Mr.. Kicker,
which also urged that the duties OF
he commission need not be specified
except as regards parks and traffic.
and that it should be the duty Of each
executive official to adhere to the plan
OF the commission.
Would Share Expense.
Turning to the cost of purchasing
land for park purposes in nearby
Maryland and Virginia, the federation
adopted an amendment by Mr.. Yaden
that all expense involved in purchas
ing land and for construction of parks
shall be borne Jointly by the Federal
Government and the District or by
the Federal Government alone. Mr..
Iaden pointed out that this was done
to forestall any possibility that the
cost OF purchasing park sites in Fir-
ginia and Maryland should be borne
by the District taxpayers.
During the entire discussion on the
Washington representation on the
commission delegates pointed out that
the Capital is not alone a city ad-
jacent to Maryland and Virginia. but
Is the center of the nation and it's de-
Velopment should be national rather
than local. Mr.. Yaden said those
who favor bringing outside architects
TO work on the Washington plan al
ready had picked their men" =. L.
Dougherty of the Chevy Chase asso-
citation said it was economical to Sc
cure the services Of experts on the
commission without pay rather than
to hire men OF no greater ability at
. salary.
Pleads for Vision.
Charles \. Baker said the posi-
bility of extension of the plans is
practically limitless and pleaded with
delegates not to taken an insular
view of the proposal. 1T is d great
chance to show our patriotism" he
said
James w. Murphy of the Chevy
Chase association attacked the mis-
takes he said have already been ,nade
by Washington officials, declaring
that if some of the work done in
laying out streets and highways here
is good sample of the fitness Of
Washington architects he would pre-
Ter a Iiottentot or a Fiji Islander
David Babp urged the development
nf arl writ hin tho IoiStricf nf
iumbia before outside parks are
taken up for action.
The federation adopted a report by
". Z. Todd, chairman Of its commit
tee on highways. parks and water
ways. recommending passage OF q
resolution offered by the Conduit Road
Citizens Association providing for
acquisition of the land along the river
on 10th sides from Thirty-sixth street
10 the District line to be developed
for park purposes. The federation
held over a report on proposed
municipal stadium for a report on
It's cost now being sought by the Com
nliss4oners and the chief of Army
eng .neerS.
\ resolution indorsing efforts to i'm
prove the water front was also held
over for the city planning committee
70 investigate and report at the next
meeting. A. II. Gregory said the
liver front "as we all know is a dis
grace"
The resolution from the Congress
Heights Association proposing that
The fitness of Mr.. Suter to hold the
JOINT offices of chairman Of the
Citizens Advisory Council and presi-
dent of the federation came up late
in the evening and was hastily dis
posed of. Although its consideration
was vigorously defended by E. G..
Purdy and f. J. Newcombe of the
congress Heights Association, J. w.
Murphy, who took the chair which
Mr.. Suter vacated when the matter
rame before the federation. disposed
of it quickly, A motion that it be
referred back TO the originating body
meeting with but two dissenting
votes.
Council Measure Delayed.
\ proposal to abolish the present
Citizens Advisory Council and sub
Stitute for it a council made wholly of
members of the federation proposed
by J. w. Ayres of the West End AS
socia ton was held over to the next
meeting. \ proposal by y. F. Jenney
hat the federation join the traffic
council was referred to the fire and
police committee.
The committee on highways was