Evening star., 1932-04-02
PLEA FOR PARKS
VOICED BY GRANT
At FILM SHOWING
Capital Not 0versupplied,
Says Director, Citing Bene.
fits and Statistics.
FUNDS NECESSARY
TO MEET PROGRAM
Transplanting Of Trees and Colum-
bia and Analostan Island
Plans Explained.

Contending that Washington Is not
| oversupplied with parks, in view of its
growing population, Lieut.. Col u S
| Grant, Sd, director of public buildings
and public parks, in a brief address
preparatory to the premiere showing
of the new motion picture illustrating
the parks of the National Capital. held
in the New National Museum. Tenth
street and Constitution avenue, last
night pleaded for caution in cutting
appropriations for these character
building agencies"
The film, made by the Department
Of Agriculture, for the ONCE of Public
Buildings and Public Parks, graphically
illustrates the scenic beauty of Wash
ington's parks and their social value
An audience, representative. OF a num-
Der of civic groups, witnessed the show
ing of the picture, held in the mu-
seum's auditorium. Following the film.
the visitors viewed the Bicentennial ex-
hibit of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and related
groups, depicting the growth of the
city and its projected expansion.
Col. Grant prefaced his brief ad-
dress by saying that in this Bicenten-
nial year the City of Washington is
the growing legacy left to his people
by the Father of His Country, adding
that I'VE in the National Capital must
make George Washington's thoughts
and wishes come true"
Mall Plan Definite.
The director told his audience that
there is a very definite plan for de-
velopment of the Mall, under the genius
of Frederick Law Olmsted, notable
Brookline. Mass, landscape architect,
who is a member Of the National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commission.
Mr. Olmsted's father likewise con-
tributed materially to the development
of the National Capital, Col. Grant as
serted.
1T is not so much difficulty to find
capable architects and landscape archi-
tects. as to find funds to carry out our
plans properly" said the colonel. Don't
imagine that the plan is incomplete.
It is that the funds are not available,
so that we can take the next step,
quickly"
Likewise for the Lincoln Memorial
and the eastern approach to the Airing
ington Memorial Bridge, he said, there
are adequate plans. He explained that
in that region the trees were planted
closer together than they need be orig
inally, so that now there is available a
large number of trees of proper size
that are being transplanted to positions
originally mapped out for them.
Col Grant then turned his attention
to development of Columbia Island and
said that there the plans will change
from the rather formal treatment of
West Potomac Park to a more nat
uralistic scheme. The officials hope to
he Dnncnualf
Analostan Island, keeping it in its
present natural state, with the public
being admitted, after it has been fur
nished with roads and paths.
Columbia Island Plan.
Columbia Island is to be transition
from the natural features of Analostan
Island to the more formal treatment of
the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
and West Potomac Park" he asserted.
Col. Grant recalled that the engineers
consider it dangerous to tamper with
the foundations of the Washington
Monument, which rests upon bed Of
gravel and blue clay and any disturbing
of its equilibrium might cause a danger
GUS slipping. The plan for the develop
ment of the Washington Monument is
illustrated in the exhibit, he asserted
In the smaller parks Of the city. his
Office is striving to avoid monotony and
Standardization. through the planting
of a variety of trees, the colonel asserted
Tackling the contention that Wash
ington is an example of overpark de-
velopment, Col. Grant said that this
city does not possess more parks, pro-
portionately, than do other advanced
cities. The authorities say that there
ctn hn o6 l 10
and when Washington is fully developed
and populated, he said, the ratio here
would be about half an acre to each 100
persons. Here, he said, the costs of
parks is not only low per acre, but like
wise low when considered on per
capita basis.
Traffic Value Shown.
Col Grant pointed to the traffic value
of the Rock Creek and Potomac Park
way which WillSprovide an automobile
artery free from cross streets, between
Connecticut avenue and Constitution
avenue. The proposed Fort Drive, link
ing up the historic Civil War forts sur
rounding the city, with a spacious mo-
torway, he asserted, will likewise prove
a valuable traffic aid.
1t is waste of taxpayers money to
build park roads for trucks, Col. Grant
informed his audience, as in Washing
ton, about 80 or 80 per cent Of the
motor vehicles are of the passenger
type. He recalled the social value of
the parks and cited statistics from his
annual report to illustrate the large
numbers Of persons engaged In a
variety Of sports, to say nothing OF the
crowds Of spectators that watch them.
Another value of the parks, Col
Grant pointed out, was their use in
hot Summer nights, so that the pop
ulace might sleep with some comfort.
On sultry nights, they contain from
1000 to 10000 persons. depending on
conditions.
In these days of unemployment and
distress, the parks are playing their
part" he asserted. Let us hesitate
before we cut out the character
building agencies, too, in these days of
retrenchment."
He cited the value of the parks of
Washington as antidotes for crime
conditions and asserted that they offer
innocent, healthy facilities for recre-
alton.
Frederic A. Delano, president of the
American Civic Association, introduced
Col. Grant to the audience. Last eve
ning's arrangements were under au-
spices of the Washington Chapter.
American Institute of Architects; Dis
trict of Columbia section, American So
ciety of Civil Engineers; Parks and Res
ervations Committee, Washington Board
of Trade; Women's City Club Commit
tee on National Capital, Garden Club of
America, and Committee of 100 on the
Federal City, American Civic Associa-
ton.
TRUCK VICTIM IDENTIFIED