Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28
Park Commission Plans.


ington discussed by the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission in its
annual report are Of peculiar Importance
to the local taxpayers. They concern
the extent Of appropriations out OF the
funds already authorized under the
Capper-C ramton park law; the necessity
for more funds in lump sum for i'm
mediate acquisition Of school and library
sites, and the desirability for the for
mutation Of definite policy in connec-
ton with financing development Of park
roads and parkways, such as the Rock
Creek Potomac Parkway and the pro-
posed Fort Drive.
AS regards the first of these-appro-
priations under the Capper-Cramton
law-the commission points out that
land values are increasing enormously
in sections Of the city where park sites
should be acquired, and that while 1t
might require five years to spend the
sixteen millions authorized, the land is
likely to cost on the average fully rs
per cent more than the assessed value
Of the properties at the beginning Of
the period" The commission therefore
asks that money be made available
as soon as negotiations for purchase can
be arranged, and reports that it can
spend four or i've millions in the next
fiscal year. The whole point Of the
Capper- Cramton law was to provide a
large sum that could be spent now,
thereby preventing the increased ex-
penditures to be occasioned by delay
while the value Of land increased. Now
that the money has been authorized,
the purpose Of the law will be defeated
unless appropriations are made as fast
as the money can be spent. Nothing Is
to be saved by failure to appropriate
generously, and much will be lost. Hav-
ing been indebted to the amount Of
the sixteen millions authorized in the
bill, the local taxpayers should receive
the benefits of economic expenditure OF
the loan.
The commission finds that in addition
TO the land TO be converted for park
and recreational center use under the
terms Of the Capper-Cramton law,
there are school sites and library
sites and recreation center sites APP
portioned to the schools and libraries
which should be acquired. Their
aggregate value Is close to $5,000,-
900. The commission suggests that the
money for purchase Of such sites should
be made available In lump sum, and
the five millions needed should be ad-
vanced without interest from the Treas
ury. The principle Is sound and the
purchase Of the sites now would save
the money represented by rising land
values in the next few years. There is
every reason to favor the loan, provided
that some definite and equitable policy
is adopted by Congress regarding the re-
spective proportions Of the obligation
to be assumed by the District and by
the Federal Government. Only with the
distinct understanding that such Treas
ury advances are not to become unfair
burdens on the District taxpayers alone,
should such proposals be accepted by
the District.
The commission notes that it has
given careful consideration to the prob
lem of developing park roads, which
calls for establishment Of definite pol
icy If the plans for these parkways are
to be carried out In q reasonable length
Of time" The commission makes no
definite Recommendation, but states that
it has ''considered the possibility" Of an
increase In the gas tax to be applied
TO the Improvement Of the park roads.
Such q use Of the proceeds Of gas tax
revenues would be In direct violation Of
all equitable principles concerning the
Joint responsibility between the District
and the Federal Government IN park
acquisition and upkeep, unless the Fed
eral Government should furnish In
creased funds Of its own comparable TO
the funds 1t would contribute II subject
to the gasoline tax. 1t Is preposterous to
assume that the commission would
recommend that the cost Of Federal
road building in these Federal parks be
shouldered, in effect, by the automobile
owners Of the District.
The important part that the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission,
Federal agency, has come to play IN
the development Of the District, together
with its problems of financing these de-
velopments, indicate the desirability Of
its devoting careful study to the equities
involved in such financing. When it be-
gins to suggest sources Of local revenue
IN addition to welding its already ex-
tensive influence as to the expenditure
Of locally derived revenue, 1t inheritS the
equally important task Of safeguarding
the rights Of those whose money is al
stake. Heretofore, 1t has been glad II
let such matters alone, properly con-
tenting itself with an outline Of fnancia
needs to accomplish certain program!
and leaving to Congress the business o.
supplying the money.
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