Evening star., 1928-02-19

A IIER months OF working up the
n necessary machinery for de-
Il capital of the world out Of Of
three political suhdiviSions--th,
District Of Columbia, Maryland and
Nireir;s-and after arrangements had
been made for cooperation for the
Improvement between officials of the
Federal Government. the District o.
Columbia. Maryland and Virginia. the
c.rcctor c: tho budget has reported
that TIE Federal Governments part
can;1o; be carried out because it is in
conflict With the Presidents economy
program,
Particularly, hc has ruled against the
biz which would authorize an cxpcndi-
i3re q 100000 4 wear III those parts
ni the tWo States which have come to
BE- known aS their metropolitan dis
t-ictS. tak.ne Ii the counties Of Mont
gancry ard Prince George in Mary
land ana Arlington County in Virginia
for the purchase Of land IL extension
OF the Capitals park system. This
would pros!Ge !0r developing this vast
territory under one broad scheme.
worked oft in cooperation between the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, tbs Maryland Capital
lark and Planning Commission and the
Nire4nia PlaIuin. Commission.
The plan, as worked OFT b. the exc
cUt;ve branches OF the three govern
r,ents was for al to lay down a big
program, ard 10 provide funds. the
Federal Government 70 match dollar
for dollar money for the purchase of
lands desirable fer park and play
ground purposes in the general metro
politan area. Delay III the provision
nF
much Of the desirable park land in the
adjoining States would fall III the path
O. advancing population increases. with
its corseoUen: building operations. II
would be lost forever as some OF the
desirable park land here has been lost
through the inability 10 purchase ii on
account Of lack of funds.
The fund provided FOR in the bill
which has been rejected by the director
O. the budget was 10 be divided equally
e2cn year between the two States to be
expended III the s0-called metropolitan
areas Oh sites for parks agreed upon BY
the executive commissions charged with
the duty CT baautifylDg the National
Capital ana us eavirons.
The MARYLAND Legislature, at its last
session. as an evidence OF good faith
an5 indicative Of its interest ii provid-
ing more beautiful capital. provided
an appropriation OF 100000 wholly
from State funds TO be spent in Mont
gon1ery and Prince George counties.
exclusively for park purposes. and to he
divided equally between these two cour-
ties. This fund is 10 be spent in CO.
operation with the Federal Park and
Planning Commission Il is in addition.
70 the large fund which IS to be pro-
vloed bv q special tax levy IN the two
counties and TO be spent By the Mary
laad-Nat!onaI Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission without regard TO the
Federal contribution
Failure O. the passage OF this leeis-
latjon means 9 delay IN the develop
C7ent .: Federal areas, IN the metro
politan districts While the Fedora,
Park and Planning Commission has
$500. 900 a year fo- the purchase of
park lands and its amended organic
act gives i the authority to extend its
operations across the District boundary
line. nevertheless this amount will be
spert wholly IN the Federal city The
reason Is that this fund comes wholly
out OF the pockets of the District Of
Columbia taxpayers The planning
commission early IN its history laid
down the policy. which 1t has strictly
adhered 70. not 10 spend any of this
money across the District borders for
the very reason that il is District tax
payers money. and il was considered
i-7eoLtable 10 take il and buv lands
tn ,tfe metropolitan area in further