Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-01
HOOVER APPROVES
CRAMTON MEASURE
FOR PARK BUILDING
Bill Provides Funds for I'm
mediate Development of
Civic Program.
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS
EQUAL $50, $780, 900
Federal Contribution $4,000, 900,
Remainder Loans to District,
Maryland and Virginia.

The -Capper bill, providing
for expenditure of $S3,50o,o0o to de-
velop the George Washington memorial
parkway from Mount Vernon and Fort
Washington to Great Falls, with free
bridge at Great Falls, and for the ex-
tension of Rock Creek and Anacostia
parks into Maryland, and the acQuisi-
ton of park and playground sites in the
Capital City, has been signed by the
President, it was announced last night.
Two gold pens were used by the
President in signing this bill, one OF
which will be sent to Representative
Cramton of Michigan, author Of the
bill, and the other to Horace Peaslee,
representing the American Institute OF
Architects, who co-operated in the de-
velopment program.
OF the $50, 100000 involved in the
park program, approximately $24, SOC, 600
Is to be In the form Of loans or advances
to Maryland, Virginia and the District
of Columbia, leaving 100000 as the
Federal contribution.
Treasury to Loan Funds.
For the extension of the park and
playground system within the District
there will be a loan Of sic, 100000 from
the Federal Treasury, to be repaid by
the District at the rate OF $1,00O,OO0
year without interest. 1t has been the
practice to carry 81 600, 900 year in the
District appropriation bill for park
purchases, so that these reiInbursements
will not increase the annual expendi-
ture. It will mean, however, that the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission will have funds available,
through the advancing Of the $4,000
600, to carry on the park extension
program rapidly, economically and be-
fore desirable areas are built upon.
In developing the George Washington
memorial parkway along the Potomac
the United States Is to pay half the
cost and the States of Maryland and
Virginia the other half. In extending
Rock Creek and Anacostia Parks into
Maryland, the United States will bear
one-third and the State two-thirds.
The law provides, however, that no
Federal money shall be spent on these
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission receives definite commit
mentS from Maryland and Virginia, or
responsible sources therein, for carry
ing the projects through.
The Federal appropriation toward
the George Washington memorial
parkway is $7,500,000, including the
cost Of q bridge to be built near Great
Falls. Congress previously authorized
the Great Falls Bridge Co. to construct
a bridge there, and the Cramton law
provides that after the parkway has
been established along the river the
Government may at any time acquire
this bridge at cost plus 10 per cent.
The Federal appropriation toward ex-
tending Rock Greek and AnacoStla
Parks Is to be 81 800 900. In addition to
these two sums, which represent the
Federal contribution OF 100000 To-
ward the program, the law provides
that the Government may advance to
Maryland and Virginia the full amounts
required for these projects in order to
expedite completion Of the parks. II
such advances are made they will be
repaid without interest by the States in
eight years.
Three Projects.
Summed up, the total Of $33, SOC. 900
involved in the entire park program Is
composed Of three elements, namely:
The advance of $16,o00,000 to the Dis
trict, the advance of about $4,000, 900
to the adjoining States and the Federal
appropriation of 100000 toward the
parkways along the Potomac and Ana
costa Rivers and Rock Creek.
The measure also contemplates park
extensions along Indian Creek, North
west Branch, Sligo Branch and Cabin
John Greek.
This law, which was supported BY
many national organizations interested
In the development of the Capital as
well as by local groups, will preserve the
natural scenery Of Great Falls and the
gorge It reserves to Congress the right
d Inka IN Nrhof ehANY1d he
done on the river with regard to navi-
cation, irrigation, floor control or hydro
electric power development.
Representative Cnamton obtained &C
ton on the bill in the House early in
the session and Senator Capper steered
It through the Senate two. weeks ago
with amendments which the House
agreed to. The Presidents signature
completes its enactment.