The Washington times., 1928-12-22
Mr.. CramtOn's Park-ParkWay
Development Measure

IN an endeavor to develop "a truly comprehensive park
parkway and playground system for the National Capital
Representative Cramton Of Michigan influential member OF
the House Appropriations Committee has introduced an I'M
pcrtant and some respects valuable measure IN Inc
House.
It's passage provide the money for financing the early
purchase Of lands for beautiful parks parkways and play
grounds before prices have put them almost beyond reach
Of significance is that the bill would provide great park
areas and development along both sides Of the
the Virginia side Mt Vernon to Great Falls and on the
Maryland side Fort Washington to Great Falls vast
project long viewed with extraordinary favor BY landscape
architects and city and park planners.
Other projects Of less magnitude also provided for
including extension Of Rock Greek Park and the Anacosa
park system
cftsens Of Washington skeptica as Mr. Cramton's
friendly motives them and this city would look upon
his bill with favor they could feel sure that WILL
not eventually impose upon them the same injustice as M
CramtOns lump scheme Of Federal participation Dis
trict fiscal necessities.
The would cause the Federal Treasury advance
to District Government beginning the fiscal year 1881
for development purposes ana thereafter e mIcn @
mately be is q matter Of conjecture.
The loans would be repaid to the United States at the rate
SOOOOO0 annually without interest charges much DETER
than the proposition Of large bond issue.
The present park and planning law enacted 1924
templated annual appropriation for park and playground
purposes less than Of which the Federal Coy
ernent would contribute its share less than onefourth
The Federal contribution to be in the same proportion as
for ali other District expenses That proportion is now
s9OOOOOO annually total budget of about
It wiz be interesting to watch the fiscal trend Of Mr.
Cramtons mind in this new project
IT should be remembered that the titles to all lands for
park and playground Immediately pass e the United
states Government The District Government and the people
d the District do not even these lands fterward The
one lob Of District people pay their unfair burden OF
taes for the lands and for Federal police TO patrol parks
after they created.
IF Mr. Cramton's home Of Lapeer Mich or Detroit
or Grand Rapids for example buy lands for pubic purposes
the titles 90 to the municipalities the taxpayers VINO
nav far them the lands should be sold the proceeds
would 90 into the municipal treasures
Here the .only benefits Washington people will get VIII
h in property values because Of park de-
velopens and the pleasures that may come from parks
~ WashnrtOn though Is National City What il done
rder measure Of this kind will be for the benefit Of
The National Government and its millions Of people Inc
ronerties acquired win enrich the Federal Treasury The
could sell any Of them in future years 50
desired and put the proceeds into the Federal treasury
Not penny Of the money would go back even indirectly
to District taxpayers.
what would the people Of cities and towns in Mr. Cram
TONS district say If he attempted to do the same thing
fhereake his voters pay for lands for parks ana play
Grounds and then take the lands from them even compelling
them to pay for Improvement and maintenanceY