Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-16
BY WILL r. KENNEDY.

Legislation providing for reloca-
tion and enlargement of the United
states botanic Garden established
I0s years agO), which win permit
NOT only developing this interesting
and valuable agency Of Congress on
an extensive scale and make possible
a, long.desired treatment OF the Mall
with an Improved setting for the
Grant Memorial and o general clean
ing up Of the disreputable area Just
west Of the Capitol. but which VIII
also be q first step towards reclaim.
ing and upbuiIding a very large de.
caying section OF the city southwest
Of the Capitol. will be put through
early, In the next session OF Congress.
This measure was passed BY the
Senate on July j. and up to the day
of adjournment 1t WAS expected thar
the House would also act favorably
upon IL, but in the closing hours the
House leadership decided to defer &C.
ton until December. with the asSur-
ai1ce that IT. would then be given
privileged consideration.
Briefly, It is proposed to remove the
Botanic Garden from the site II now
occupies at the very entrance to the
Mall. just west Of the Capitol Grounds,
south across Maryland avenue, ana
to place the main portion Of the new
garden on the two squares between
Maryland avenue. First, Second and
Canal streets.
Main Building Unsafe.
/. The main conservatory Of the DO.
taric Garden was declared unsafe
three or four years ago and must be
replaced. It blocks the Mall Vista
from the Capitol. This conservatory
and the famous Bartholdi Fountain In
the center OF the Botanic Garden are
obstructing the proposed treatment OF
the area. about the Grant Memorial,
which ia the most imposing sta.tuary
group In this city famous for it,
equestrian statues.
Those who are pushing the Mall
and Capital development plans are
urging that the earliest possible
action be taken to relocate the Botanic
Garden. District offlcials. city plan.
ners and civic leaders are confident
that tie proposed Botanic Garden Inn
proyements will give impetus to q
concerted and well.directed EFFORT TO
instiil new life and start the erection
in that large area directly south OF
the proposed site for the garden.
City planners Of national and inter
national experience point out that
that entire section Of the District has
run down and deprecated rapidly,
under the very shadow Of the Capitol
Building and directly before the eyes
OF Congress. They point out that
there q no similar area anywhere IN
this country that has the same Oppor.
itunity and prospect Of early and con-
siderable increase In land values and
general Improvement. = Both Federal
ana District Ofi1cials are eager to co.
operate with private capital In build.
ing up that area.
Plan New Conservatory.
Il ID planned to erect new. thor.
ouglliy up-to.date conservatory on the
ate bounded by Maryland avenue,
FIRST ana second and y streets. which
Ii now occupied bys ~ sOline station,
d small apartment house ., bakery, 9
colored church and some score Of
small, rundown dwellings. This con.
servatOrys would house n plant iiaai'
visit0rs from all parts of the country
as well as to scientists. One sec.
ton would bA devoted to medicinal
plants and another to economic
plants which the H0tanic Garden now
has no opportunity to dieplay.
on the triangular lot just south 81
the new conservatory site would be
nlaced the Barth0ldi Fountain. Eena.
tor Willis 81 Ohio ana 0tilAr tflATnbAfG
Of Congress are aversA to allowing
this historic fountain, which Il one
OF the GOYefnment'e most Interesting
bits of outdoor art, to be moved until