Evening star., 1928-12-18
COMMITTEE Of 100
LAUDS PARK BILL
Cramton Measure Providing
Extensive Playground Sys-
tenn Wins Favor of Group.


prehenslve park, parkway and play
ground system for the Capital, including
The George Washington Memorial Park
way on both shores of the Potomac, was
faVorably discussed informally yesterday
afternoon by the Committee of One
Hundred on the National Capital of the
American Civic Association.
The bill, with three principal parts of
Its proposed program, was read to the
committee by Miss Harlean James, sec
fetary OF the association after a brief
introduction of the matter by Frederic
A. Delano, presiding officer and chair
man of the committee. The three main
divisions of the bill would provide for
development of the George Washington
Memorial Parkway to include both
shores of the Potomac from Mount
Vernon and Fort Washington to point
above Great Falls, except within Alex
andria and the District of Columbia
extension of Rock Greek Park and the
Anacostia Park system into Maryland,
as may be agreed to by Federal and
Maryland authorities. and the appropri-'
alton of $l6,000,00O for development of
the District park. parkway and plav-
ground system. to be repaid by the Dis
trict to the United States without inter-
est at $1,000,000 annually.
General Program Favored.
No formal action was taken by the
committee, but the discussion was uni
formly favorable. Among those who dis
cussed the matter briefly were Capt.
Chester Wells of the Maryland Planning
Commission; Charles F.. ConSaul. vice
chairman OF the Committee of One
Hundred. and Maj. Carey Brown. En-
glneer of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. ~.
Speakers said they could not at the
present stage vote on approval of the
text OF the measure, as there might be
changes necessary in wording, but they
approved the general idea.
The Cramton bill outlines the finan-
cial program for his proposed develop
ment in detail. Regarding the purchase
OF lands for the George Washington
Memorial Parkway on both sides of the
Potomac, Mr.. Cramton explained. in q
statement yesterday, that outside of
| such lands as may now belong to the
United States or may be donated. the
United States, is to pay one-half the
cost OF acquiring the necessary lands,
and constructing the Fort Washington
Great Falls Highway, and the balance
between the States of Maryland and Vir-
ginia, or political subdivisions thereof,
or other responsible sources"
1t is further provided in the bill that
| the United States may advance the full
amount of the funds necessary for the
acquisition of the lands, to be reim-
| bursed to the extent of one-half the
cost without interest within not more
| than five years.
This parkway" said Mr. Cramton,
| taking control of the banks of the Po-
| tomac from Mount Vernon. where
George Washington lived, through the
| Capital which he founded, to Great
Falls, where he had his industrial
| dreams, has tremendous possibilities for
scenic enjoyment and recreation on land
| and water"
Would Extend Rock Greek Park.
Extension of Rock Greek Park and the
| AnacoStia park system into Maryland
Mr.. Cramton explained, would be made
'as may be agreed upon between the
| planning commission and Maryland au-
| thorities, one-third of the cost to be
borne by the United States and two
thirds by Maryland or private sources.
with provision for advance of the full
amount of the funds necessary for the
, acquisition Of these lands with reim-
bursement to the United States to the
| extent of two-thirds of the cost without
| interest within not more than five years.
| The contribution of the United States
/ is confined to acquisitions of the lands
| and does not include maintenance. road
| building, etc. This gives opportunity
| for development of continuous park
| system with contiguous areas in Mary
| land, protects the sources of Rock Creek
and other streams. and thereby IS Of
much Importance to the District Park
| system"
| The third phase of the bill, for suit
I Is1I Il ~ -N.rto
| parkway and playground system. pro-
| vides for appropriation of S16,OO0.0 900
'in the fiscal year 1881 and there
after as required for the expenditious
acquisition of such landsauin the Dis
| trict as are necessary and desirable for
suitable development"
Gives illustrated Lecture.
Such financing as is proposed, Mr..
Cramton declared. sis on an entirely
feasible and fair basis" Payment an
nually of the 81 .000.0 by the District
would supersede the present appropria-
ton for the work of the Park and Plan
ming Commission. AS to the Potomac
and other projects in the BILL he said,
"the door is open for necessary and
fair cooperation by Maryland and
Virginia or subdivisions thereof or by
private gifts"
Charles w. Eliot, Sd, city planner
of the Park and Planning Commission,
gave an illustrated lecture before the
committee of 100 on the proposed de-
velopment for park purposes of the Great
Falls of the Potomac. His stereopticon
pictures included views of tributary
streams of the Potomac. During his
lecture he made no mention whatever
of the proposed power project for Great
Falls, which is being opposed by the
Park and Planning Commission.