Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-15

transition stage. What were once we'll
kept front yards have degenerated
until this portion of Massachusetts
avenue has in part become blight
ed district" The Fine Arts Commits.
sion suggests that the National Capt.
tai Park and Planning Commission
make a study Of Massachusetts ave-
nue. from the Union Station to Four.
teenth street with a view to accom-
modating an increase of traffic and at
the same time making attractive the
main thorouhgfare of Washington
the only avenue that will extend un-
broken throughout the entire District.
Such a study, when completed,
would serve as standard for the
treatment of New Jersey avenue,
both north and south of the Capitol,
and of the streets and avenues in
Southwest and Southeast Washington,
where almost slun districts prevail,
and yet where the trees are magnif1-
Gently developed. Southeast Washing
ton within a mile Of the Capitol is
in a deplorable condition. simply for
want Of systematic treatment.
There should be no slums in the
National Capital" the Commission of
Fine Arts insists.
This commission also puts on rec
ord. that it has noticed with grave
concern the glaringly inadequate ap-
preparations made for the planting
and care of trees"
The superintendent of trees and
parking estimates that $400. 900 is
needed for the propagation and plant
ing of trees in Washington, whereas
the appropriations are less than
100000. AS result Of these made
quats appropriations empty tree
spaces prevail even around the most
significant parks. Thus around La
fayette Square there are on the north
east. five, and on the west side three.
Among the most magnificent elns in
the city are those in andaaround La.
fayette Square, and yet NO provision
is being made to replace the trees
that have disappeared through storm
and stress. Trees do not last forever
and they do not grow overnight.
Immediate steps should be taken
to replace the elms that have been
lost to Lafayette Square," the Com
mission of Fine Arts demands.
Take Time to Grow.
"In the newly developed district of
the Northeast it will be fifteen years
before the trees attain any appreciate
size and as a result that whole area
when seen from the hills about Wash
ingtor looks like tented field. Pro.
vision should be made for an adequate
aboretun to supply trees 10 to Is
years old for planting in the streets
Of Washington. Moreover, the soil
in the tree spaces should be carefully
prepared so as to compensate as much
as possible for the lack of moisture
due to paving Of the streets. Paris
and Boston provide iron gratings to
admit moisture and prevent the sloven-
~ appearance of uncared for tree
spaces such as prevail in Washington.
ut is common practice nowadays to
plant trees from s to IL inches in di.
anneter. Such trees must be grown
specially for the City of Washington.
because no nursery in the country
could supply the trees necessary for
the replanting Of trees Of proper size
on Connecticut avenue alone, where
simply saplings have been planted.
When streets are to be widened. the
appropriation should be sufficient to
cover the replanting of fair-sized
trees. This is quite as important as
provision for resetting curbs.''
None Is More Deserving.
The Commission Of Fine Arts of7.
cially notified the City Planning Com.
mission that it believes there is no
project in the planning Of the District
OF Columbia which deserves more thor.
ough, adequate and comprehensive
study than the planting and care of
trees" When arrangements were be.
ing made for the new Federal build
lngs IN the triangle south Of Pennsyl.
vanla avenue to the Mall, under the
$50 100000 program already started
the Commission of Fine Arts called
attention to the need for we'll planted
and well developed courts. 1t is with
a view to experimenting those sugges-
lions that the commission now urges
upon the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission the immediate
study of the tree problem in connec.
ton with street widening.