Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-26
GREATER BOTANIC
GARDEN PLANNED
Hess Stresses Need for Ma
tionaI Arboretum-Will Urge
Congressional Move.

Now that legislation has passed au-
thoriZing relocation and extension OF
the Botanic Garden, three long-con-
templated and important capital de-
velopments will go forward and
fourth will be given early considera-
ton by the House, having ALREADY
passed the Senate.
A greater botanic garden, even
tually the best in the world, with
plant museum and season plant ex-
hibitions, is to be established. The
Mall, as the great central garden OF
the Washington and L'Enfant plans
for the Capital. is to be cleaned up
and squared up, bordered with impos
ing Government buildings. The long
neglected area south Of the Capito
toward the river is to be improved
Prompt and favorable action Is also
promised on the National Arboretum
proposal. now that Congress has def
nitely determined by law that the
Botanic Garden and Arboretum are ta
be distinct institutions.
Urge ArbOretum Action.
George w. Hess, director of the
Botanic Garden, Is already using all
of his influence with members Of Con
gress, to impress them with the i'm
portance Of a Federal Arhoretum to
carry out functions that the Botanic
Garden was never designed to per-
form. The Commission Of Fine Arts
and the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission are also urging
House leaders to hurry the passage of
the arboretum bill before the Mount
Hamilton site has been despoiled and
lost for arboretum purposes by the
encroachment of building operations.
Passage Of this measure soon after
Congress returns from the Christmas
holidays has been promised by House
leaders
Given a new plant, Director Hess is
ambitious to bring the Governments
collection Of plant life up to date.
He is asking Congress for one or
two large Conservatives, where in
their proper season he can arrange
free exhibitions of chrysanthemums,
lilies. Spring blooms. orchids. begonias
and a showing of plant curiosities.
Authorizes More Land.
The measure that has passed both
houses of Congress provides for ac-
quiring the land just across Mary
land avenue south from the present
site of the garden. This land is now
occupied by gasoline station, a
bakery, O colored church. and apart
IloHI HOuSe, anu d row VI
novels. BY closing Second street, the
entire stretch from First to Third
streets and between Maryland ave
nue. and b street could be used for a
large modern conservatory, which
would be just across the street from
the Mall, and convenient for all visi
tors to the Capitol. Leaders in Con-
gress and on the appropriations COM
mittee have given assurance that
funds will be provided for an adequate
conservatory that can be extended to
meet future needs. This Is expected
to be provided in the legislative ap-
preparation bill which is now being
drafted.
Senator Tess of Ohio, Representa-
tive Luce of Massachusetts,, Repre-
sentative Dickinson of Iowa, on the
legislative appropriation bill, which
carries funds tor the Botanic Garden;
Speaker Longworth, House Leader
Tilson, Minority Leader Garrett,
David Lynn, architect of the Capitol.
and Representative Fritz Lanham of
Texas, ranking minority member of
the committee on public buildings and
grounds, have all worked zealously
for furtherance of this Capital de-
velopment project. They are also
working for acquisition Of the Mount
I1dInllLOn tract LOT a national drDOfe-
tum to be administered by the De
partment of Agriculture.
For Mount Hamilton Site.
Director Hess declared yesterday
that 1t would be most regrettable if
private building operations are al
lowed to creep in on the Mount Ham
ilton tract, as is now threatened, be-
cause it would be impossible to find
as suitable site for the arboretum
elsewhere. A subdivision Is planned
for this area, and Congress Is being
asked to serve notice to prevent this.
Washington should have the ma
tional arboretum," said Mr. Hess
THE Mount Hamilton tract is most
desirable with a wide variety Of soil
and land structure ideal for such a
purpose. The Department of Agricul-
ture needs just such an open-air
plant laboratory. 1t would link in
with the agricultural experiment
farm and with the Anacostia Park
development and with the parkway
chain and boulevards drive to entirely
surround the Capital. If Congress
does not act promptly now 1t will he
extremely regrettable," said Mr.. Hess.
and he intends to impress this upon
as many members of the House as