Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-19
ARB0RETUM BILL GETS
RIGHT OF WAY IN HOUSE;
SENATE MEASURE UP

SIVH II WGHSOIlE VI
Continued from First Page)
stances brought to me the honor OF
introducing the bill now before you
fortunate not by reason of any per
sonal or sectional consideration, but
because the proposal intends impor.
tant benefit to all parts Of the coun-
try and SO to the common welfare.
Thirty Own Land.
This bill contemplates the pur.
chase Of a. tract of land about miles
northeast of the Capitol, which
through many years has been brought
to the attention of Congress at nearly
every session, as one that 1t was de
sirable TO acquire for the benefit OF
the public. 1t was through a long
period discussed in connection with
the Botanic Garden, and inasmuch as
that institution is under the charge
of the committee on the Library, OF
which / am a member, ! have pre-
sumed that the introduction of this
bill was intrusted to me as such.
There is no other significance in the
fact that my name was attached to it.
THE tract of land in question is
known as Mount Hamilton. 1t COM
prises a ridge bearing that name,
which is, perhaps a half mile beyond
the end of Maryland avenue along the
BladenSburg road that leads to Balti-
more East of it is another elevation
known as Hickey Hill, and between
are old farm lands. This tract
reaches to the marshes of the Ana
costa River, which are already owned
by the Government, some 400 acres
in extent, now being drained by the
Army engineers. and to become part
of the park system. The Mount Ham,
iltOn tract, when it's purchase was
first suggested, comprised about 400
acres, but part of it has already been
taken over for building purposes and
is no longer available for the use here
in mind. 1t IS probable that some
where between 800 and $50 acres could
now be secured. This is in the hands
Of about 30 owners. but those who
own the larger part of it have, with
real public spirit, resisted the offers
of spectators in order that it might
come into the hands Of the Govern
ment and at a price much below that
which the spectators would give.
The larger owners inform us that
their duty to others will compel them
to accept these offers If we do not act
before the close Of the present session.
Many Varieties Of Soil.
Originally it was suggested that
the Botanic Garden should be moved
to this location, but the possibility of
that has been avoided by deciding
to keep the garden close to its present
site. Now 1t is asked for by the De-
partment of Agriculture as the loca-
ton for an arboretum, which Is a
tract for the cultivation and study Of
trees, shrubs, everything with a woody
fiber. The most important arboretum
In the country chances to adjoin my
own district, although not within. its
Arnold Arboretum. which
which contains $50 acres. Those in
charge of it would like to have so
acres more, for they inform me that
300 acres Is about the right size to
handle to the best advantage.
"This tract will meet that condition
perfectly.
Furthermore, there are more than
80 varieties of soil in the tract, max
ing possible the cultivation Of many
varieties of trees and shrubs. 1t Is
rolling ground-upland and field land.
1t is tract so beautiful in itself that
1t would sometime later In the season
pass a delightful hour or two should
he go there and stroll among it's trees
and over it's fields. About $50 acres
are now woodland: not the scrub-p pine
growth-very little of that-but larg-
er trees Of great variety, mostly hard
wood growth, with some Of them ap-
preaching the size of the trees in an
untouched forest. So we have there
an admirable groundwork for an ar
boretum, probably as good as could
be found anywhere in the vicinity of
Washington. The Department of Agri-
culture desires that this Open-air
workshop shall be within easy reach
of the department building. 1t has
communicated through the Secretary
of Agriculture the statement that
there should be no delay in the acqul.
use.
Besides the benefit that would be
brought to the District by the orna
mental nature of the institution. and
perhaps more important in passing
upon the wisdom Of the appropriation
should be considered the practical
benefit.
Little Need for Buildings.
In reply to an inquiry from Repre-
sentative Kindred of New York as to
how much would be paid for the LAND
and how much for development of the
aboretum, Mr.. Luce said:
1T will require the whole $500 O0(
for the purchase of the land. The
latest value placed on the tract is ir
excess of that, but it is hoped that al
the land which the department i'm
portantly needs can be acquired fol
the 100000. And / may add that ar
arboretum requires but little expendi
ture in the way of buildings. The Ar
mold arboretum has only modest ad
ministration building and a small con
servatory, smaller than will be found
on many private estates. Little none,
will be needed for buildings, and com
paratively little will be required 10
administer such an institution"
Values Declared Rising.
Representative Almon, Democrat. OIL
Alabama, called attention that the re
port states: About 400 acres Of tbe
proposed site is already owned by the
Government. 1t consists of marsh
land about to be drained by Army en-
gineers. The Mount Hamilton anf
Hickey Hill area, 408 acres, priyafeI,
owned, was reported by the assesso,
in January. 1926. to be valued at $343:
04S, distributed among 80 owners. -.
Mr.. Luce supplemented this by saw
ing that the assessment made in 1872,
was $254,520; that the value is rising
would dictate its immediate purchas,
o. 80 BE-