Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23
Maryland's Park Amendments.


The proof of the pudding will be
IN the Senate's attitude toward the
proposed amendments to the Cramton
park bill, sought by oflcials Of the
Maryland Park Commission and ap-
proved by the bills author. But Mr..
Cramton's ready acquiescence to the
nature Of the changes desired by Mary
landers augurs well for Senate agree
ment when the bill is considered in the
upper chamber Mr.. Cramton has
spent several years preparing and
championing his park bill. If he agrees
to changes. it can be taken for granted
that they are destined to improve and
not impair its fine purposes.
The nature of the changes is dis
ellEsed' in detail elsewhere in today's
Star. Generally speaking, they would
authorize the Federal Government to
appropriate for the use of the Maryland
authorities sum approximating $4,-
100000 for the acquisition of land
needed to extend the Districts park
system into adjacent Maryland. The
land purchased would be decided upon
by the Maryland Park Commission,
with the advice Of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission. OF
the money thus advanced $500, 900
would be considered as the Govern
ment's one-third contribution to Mary
land park development. The remaining
two-thirds, or 100000, would con-
stitute loan from the Federal Treas.
Jury to be repaid without interest over
q period Of eight ,ears. The bill now
providee that the money shall be re-
paid in five years. The proposed
amepdment would extend the time
three years.
AS the bill now reads, title to these
lands would be vested in the United
States, although Maryland is charged
with the responsibility Of developing
and maintaining the parks. The Mary
Ianders want the bill amended so that
the title. win be vested in the State
of Maryland.
Z = Maryland's Legislature has already
appropriated 100000 for the acquisi-
ton OF land BY its Park Commission
and b expected to authorize ! bond
issue, to be refunded by "a seven-cent
park tax in the metropolitan, area, to
pay for additional acquisition Of land.
The amendments are designed gen.
orally 70 hasten park development out
side the District. The question Of title
to the land should not prove bother
some. The Governments contribution
Is based on the theory Of protecting
the headwaters of streams running into
the District as much as it Is based on
the desire TO extend the National Cap
tails park system. Maryland, charged
With the responsibility Of maintaining
these park lands and supplying two
thirds Of the purchase price, rightly
should possess title. Such questions as
policing and jurisdiction would thus be
settled definitely in advance.
Maryland authorities expect to obtain
some Of the land by dedication. Under
the Cramton bill az it is now written,
the division between the United States
and Maryland would apply only to
money actually spent in purchasing
land. The amendments sought, how
ever, would give Maryland a credit as
q share Of its contribution, for the value
Of lands dedicated but not bought. This
would naturally permit the use by
Maryland Of the full one-third Gov
eminent contribution, based on value Of
land acquired, instead Of restricting the
sum to one-third of the money actually
spent by Maryland on land acquisition.
AS the desire Of the Federal Govern
nnent is the acquisition Of the land-no
matter how acquired-the proposed
amendment seems fair enough and will
give the Maryland commission more
funds for expenditure than it otherwise
would expect.
The amendments sought would not
apply to the land included in the
George washington Memorial Parkway
-on both sides Of the Potomac from
Great Falls to Mount Vernon. That
viii remain purely Federal develop
.nent, though the States are expected
70 assist in carving IL ont