Evening star., 1933-03-31
60 MAY LOSE Jobs
At ANAcOSHAPA PARK
Stoppage of Work Also Would
Mean Loss of Money,
Says Engineer.

uditlng OF work on development OF
Anacostia Park, as contemplated in the
District supply bill estimates, would
mean the discharge of some 60 en-
pioyes, according to E. A. Schmitt. en-
gneer In the Office of Maj. Joseph D.
arthur, Jr., War Department engineer
ior the washington area.
Scnmltt, who is supervising improve
ment OF Anacostia Park, upstream of
Benning road, said the stoppage of
work would mean also that the Gov
ernment would have an unproductive
capital investment on its hands. He
foresaw extensive losses through elimi-
mating this appropriation and said "the
greatest economy and benefit would re-
suit from continued progress and early
completion of Anacostia Park"
The park, for which the engineers
estimate a total cost of $4275 900, is
now 30 per cent complete and at the
recent rate of appropriations would
have been completed by 1888.
Effects of Dropping Work
Answering questions as to the effect
OF eliminating the Anacostia Park fig
ures, Schmitt said:
Elimination of the item for Anacos-
tia Park by the Budget Bureau is
- AAea61e WASh oCAfOuS COIlSSAu6lCeS IOT
the project, its related features and
the employees engaged thereon.
substantial loss in the work so far
accomplished will result from a cessa-
tion of operations, by reason of the
weathering down of levees and en-
bankments, washing out of dredging
basins and the lack of drainage may
cause an increase in mosquito breed
ing. The benefits for flood protection
for Maryland communities, provided
through the wider channel downstream
OF the District line, will be nullified by
the accumulation of shoals in the mian
AnacoStia River. With the discontin-
uance OF reclamation, the final settle
ment of fills and road foundations will
also be extended longer into the fu-
ture.
Elimination Of the $4,000 for the
widening of the Lake Kingman cul-
vert In Benning road will prolong the
existence of the dangerous bottle neck
IN Benning road, and will nullify to
large extent the benefit to traffic gained
through the improvement now under
way on this important arterial highway
Actual Loss Threatened
"The part of the culvert comprising
the eaStbound roadway and the car
tracks was constructed several years
ago, but the north roadway remains
to be built. The Highway Department
(of the District) has now under con-
tract the new full-width bridge over
the Anacostia River and the fill for the
north roadway has been placed. With
part OF the funds contained in the
1884 Senate District bill for Anacostia
Park, which failed last session, viz.
1000, the y. s. Engineer Office was
to have built the extension. This cul-
vert extension would have been COM
pleted simultaneously with the High
way Department work on Benning
bridge, permitting immediate use of
both lanes of this main highway.
Construction plant, especially de-
signed and built upstream of the Ben
ming bridge at a cost of $106, 900, to op-
crate in the upper part Of Anacostia
Park, will have to be placed out of
commission, and instead of being en-
gagged on productive work will entail an
actual loss, through its care and watch
ing, in addition to its functional de-
probation while idle.
1T will mean the 1ay-of Of some
SO to go employees who will, I expect,
have to seek employment at the 81 per
day rate, under the Presidents refor-
estation project
'Retarding the orderly progress to-
ward the completion of Anacostia Park
results in both direct and indirect loss
es and increases its ultimate cost. The
capital investment so far made remains
unproductive. In other words, the gen.
eral public draws no interest in recrea-
ton and pleasure from its expenditu 1es,
until some time further in the future.
The Anacostia Park project, with a to-
tai estimated cost of $4,275, 900, is now
30 per cent complete, and with con-
tinued appropriations would have been
completed in the ensuing four and
one-half years.
while reduction in expenses must
now be made under the budget cur
tailment, disbanding the organization
and facilities mobilized for the park
project in past years, will cause extern
sive losses. The greatest economy and
benefit will result from continued prog
ress and early completion Of Anacostia