Evening star., 1929-12-12

ties with a view to promoting more
even distribution of population in fin
gers or arms stretching out from the
city and at the same time preserving
large, Wedge-Shaped areas between
these fingers i'll the from of parks, pub
lie institutions, private institutions, pri-
vate estates, golf clubs and similar open
developments.
IN planning for future parks and
open spaces, the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission made spe-
cial study of the features of the region
which we're most worth while to pre-
serve in open spaces or parks and the
withdrawal of which from urban de-
velopment would least disturb the nor
NAL or desirable growth of the city.
There was, therefore, prepared a series
of maps illustrating the physical fea-
lures of the region and the points Of
interest from the point of view of those
interested in the aborigineS, the history
of the area, the natural history and
similar features. These studies were
then compared with map showing
rough land around Washington, and
from the composite plans proposed
open-space scheme was drawn up.
Proposed parks for the washington
region are five or six in number. The
lower Potomac from Washington to
Mount Vernon and Fort Washington,
upper Potomac from washington to
and including Great Falls, the valleys
of Cabin John Creek, upper Rock
Greek, Northwest Branch and Eastern
Branch in Maryland, and the valleys
of Four Mile Run, Spout Run and Pim-
NIT Run in Virginia.
Provide for Cooperation.
"In order to set up a basis for CO.
operation between the Federal Govern
ment and the States, counties and indl-
viduals interested in the execution OF
this plan, Representative Louis G.
Cramton of Michigan has introduced
bill. House resolution 26, provldmg
S7.O00,00O from Federal funds, to be
matched in the case of the Potomac
on the basis of $3.50 as between Fed
eral Government and State, county or
private parties, and on basis of one
third by the Federal Government 10
tWo-thirds by the local authorities in
the case of parks wholly within Mary
land or Virginia.
1.-THE same bill carries authorization
of a S16,000,000 Federal advance. to be
repaid by the District in the same pro-
portion as other District funds, at the
rate of S1,000,000 a year, which IS now
the authorized annual appropriation OF
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission. This Federal ad-
vance would bear no interest, and is
therefore greatly to the advantage OF
the District taxpayers.
with the $4,000, 900 proposed under
the Cramton bill, the commission pro-
poses to acquire parks within the Dis
trict of Columbia to carry out three
principal projects: l. Fort Drive, COM
pletely encircling the city and connect
ing the sites of the Civil War forts on
the tops of the second row OF hills; 2,
To provide a system of neighborhood
recreation centerS of from is to 20
acres apiece, spaced at intervals Of
approximately / y miles throughout the
District of Columbia: and, 3, to protect
natural valleys of unusual beauty in
the vicinity of Rock Creek and along
other streams where considerable saw
ings can be made by preservation of
the natural conditions instead of the
construction of storm water sewers"
Preservation of the sources of water
supply for Rock Creek and other
streams is considered necessary, accord
ing to Mr.. Eliot, or the streams will
dwindle away. This must be done by
purchase and preservation OF the for
eSted areas at the headWaters of the
streams, he pointed out. The act set
ting up the Park and Planning Com
mission mentions this specifically as
one of the purposes of the commission.
Mrs. Lockwood, as president of the
Garden Club of America, declared be-
fore the afternoon meeting that the
organization was hoping not only to
preserve what was left in the form of
natural park beauties, but to urge the
| planting of trees and shrubs and above
all, work for the extension of parks.
In praising Mrs. Noyes, the president
said, Through her we have been well
represented in Washington" The ma
tional officers were keenly interested,