Evening star., 1928-12-30
Criticism Easily Removed.

Last Thursdays Star carried an in
teresting statement by Representative
Cramton of Michigan upon the bill he
has introduced for the acquisition OF
land and creation of the George Wash
ington Memorial Parkway; for addi-
tions to the park, parkway and play
ground system of Washington and for
the extension Of the Capitals park sys
tenn into adjacent Maryland. In this
statement Mr.. Cramton not only shows
commendable enthusiasm for the project
which he fathers, ar. enthusiasm readily
shared by those who are working for
proper development of the Nations
Capital, but he emphasizes the reasons
why his bill should be considered as an
emergency measure" requiring imme-
diate attention.
With his declarations that beautiful
areas in Washington and the border
States are endangered by the march Of
commercial development, and, there
fore, should be acquired Immediately,
The Star is in thorough accord. With
his statements concerning the benc-
fetal results to the Nation and to WASH
ington in properly carrying to compile
ton the park plans of the Capital and
its environs, The Star heartily agrees
And The Star sympathizes with Mr..
Cranton and joins with him in his con-
clusion that the only ground for criti-
cism of the measure lies in its financial
provisions.
But The Star believes that this criti-
cism from local taxpayers is easily
avoided, and in fairness to the unrepre-
sented citizens of the District. should be
avoided. Mr. Cramton points out that
his bill removes that inequitable pro-
vision of the original Park and Plan
ming Commission legislation which au-
thorized the use of District revenue for
the acquisition of land in Maryland and
Virginia. In the correction of this evil
the District rejoices. Mr.. Cramton
further points out that Whether these
lands (in the Districtl are bought under
terms of the present law or under the
pending bill, the payment is from Dis
trict revenues and the Federal Treasury,
the same as other expenses of the Dis
trict, whether the Federal contribution
for the particular year be on lump
sum or percentage basis" And it is this
paragraph which explains the source Of
criticism mentioned by Mr.. Cramton.
The Star contends that this criticism
is easily removable. Mr.. Cramton's
measure might remain written as it is,
and there would be no ground for criti-
cism, provided remedial steps were taken
In other legislation. These remedial
steps might lie, G) in increasing the
Federal Governments basic lump sum
payment specifically in proportion to
national or semi-national projects in
cluded in the District appropriation bill,
thus allowing for adequate and equi-
table sharing by the Federal Govern
ment in the expense of undertakings
which the Federal Government alone
plans, or CD by excluding these national
or semi-national projects from the Dis
trict bill and financing them in some
other supply bill so wording the items
thus excluded as to set forth the exact
methods of financing in relation to the
amounts of contribution by Nation and
Capital that is thought to be just.
The District does not criticize Mr..
Cramton's bill, but every year finds sd-
ditional ground for criticism of the sys-
TEN under which Mr.. Cramton's bill
would divide the cost of national or
semi ational projects between the Dis
trict and Federal Government. Change
this system completely, or revise 1t to
meet the growing needs of growing
Capital and there will be found moth
ing but praise for Mr.. Cramton's meas
ure and for the patriotic spirit that
prompts it.
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