Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
Senate District Group to
Consider Its Enactment
at This Session.
AUTHOR AND COL. GRANT
MAKE PLEA FOR PASSAGE
Advance of $16,oOG,00o to D. c.
for Park Expenditures Pro-
vided in Measure.

The Senate District committee Is ex-
pected to decide today whether it should
try to complete the enactment at this
session of Congress of the Cramton park
bill, authorizing an advance of SIC
100000 to the District for the extension
Of the park system and providing for an
additional S7,0O0.000 for parkway de-
yelopments in nearby Maryland and
Virginia.
plea for passage of the measure
before adjournment next Monday was
made to the Senate committee this
morning by Representative Cramton.
Republican, of Michigan, and Lieut.. Col
U. S. Grand, Sd, director of the Park
and Planning Commission. Chairman
Capper of the Senate committee and
Senator Jones, Republican. of Wash
ington, indicated that they were some
what doubtful whether it was advisable
to ask the Senate to act upon a bill
involving such expenditures on such
short notice. Up to noon, however,
they had not definitely decided what
course would be followed. The bill
passed the House yesterday.
Explains Bills Purpose.
Mr.. Cramton explained to the Senate
committee that the primary purpose
of his bill is to carry out economically
the comprehensive plan of park extern
sion contemplated by the National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commission. He
said that year ago the commission
estimated that the land needed to COM
plete the park system of Washington
would cost S15,750,000 if it could be
acquired within few years.
Mr.. Cramton argued that these areas
are going up in value every year and
that attractive wooded sections are
being cut down and valleys filled in. He
explained that his bill would merely
advance S16,000,000 to the District to
buy these lands while they are avail
able, the advance to be paid back by
the District at the rate of 81 100000
a year, which is the amount the Dis
trict would spend annually for park
extension
without this bill, Mr.. Cramton said.
the District probably would have to con-
tinue to spend Sl,000000 a year in
definitely perhaps for 80 years, because
it would take that long if the land has
to be brought gradually out of normal
appropriations.
He said the bill makes no change in
fiscal relations.
In addition to the advance Of fumes
for parkways in the District, the bill
authorizes purchase of land on both
sides Of the Potomac from Mount YER
non to Great Falls for George Wash
ington Memorial Park, half the cost to
be borne by the United States and the
remainder by Maryland and Virginia. or
private parties in those States. The
third feature of the bill provides for
extension of the Anacostia and Rock
Creek Parks into Maryland, one-third
OF the cost to be borne by the United
States and two-thirds by Maryland or
private parties
Mr.. Cramton said he realized a con-
troversial measure could not be nut
through at this late stage of the ses-
sion, but that he believed this bill had
the general approval Of local organiza-
tons.
Senator Jones said he was heartily in
favor of the principle of the bill, but
would like to look over the ground first
Senator Blaine, Republican. of wis
consin, wanted to know what effect the
parkway along the upper Potomac
would have on future water-power de-
velopment. Mfr. Cramton said the bill
would not absolutely prevent Congress
from authorizing power development
in the future. but that the probable
effect of the measure would be to lessen
the likelihood of a power project being
carried out.
After referring to local sentiments to-
ward the bill, Mr.. Cranton said that
one or two of the newspapers had dis
cussed the question of fiscal relations
in connection with the bill.
THE Star" Mr. Cramton said. "has
questioned the fiscal relation, but they
have been fair enough to say 1t Is no
more involved in this bill than in am
other bill. and have emphasized the
good features