Evening star., 1933-11-15
PARK
/. POLICE IS OPPOSED
Cammerer Also Attacks Ha.
zen's Proposal to Broaden
District Control.

Determined opposition to transfer of
the United States park police force to
the municipal government. or the shift
ing of any part of the park system to
the District Building. as suggested by
Melvin C. Hazen, newly appointed Com
missioner. was voiced today by Arno B.
Cammerer, director of National Parks,
Buildings and Reservations, Interior
Department.
Mr.. Cammerer traced the relation
ship of the parks to the Capital and
pointed out that in other cities which
have sought to have the policing of
their parks done by the regular metro
politan force. this system has been
found to be undesirable and they have
gone back to a separate park police
force.
Should the Capital parks, or any
part of them. be transferred to the Dis
trict government, their status would be
changed to that of a purely local. park
system, which was not the purpose of
Congress in establishing and maintain
ing them, since the days of George
Washington, and which at time when
~
est par kauthorities of the country un-
der the Interior Department, should not
be jeopardized," said Mr.. Cammerer.
System Held Essential.
The directors statement follows in
part:
THE question Of the government Of
the parks of the National Capital is
one OF the utmost Importance not alone
to the residents of the District of Co
lumbia, but to all American citizens
who have an interest In their National
Capital.
The public parks of Washington pro-
vide the setting for most of the Gov
eminent buildings. They are essentially
an ornament to the National Capital
rather than local recreational areas
Federal funds we're used in the purchase
and improvement of a large portion
OF the park areas and taxes paid by
citizens from all parts of the Nation
contribute to their maintenance Every
American citizen, whether he be a resi-
cent OF the District of Columbia or a
Iar-removed part of the country. has
an interest and should feel an interest
IN the welfare Of the parks of the Ma
t1onal Capital, as he takes pride in their
beauty and in the excellence of the
Capital's architectural achievements
An adequate park system was an
important phase Of the plans for the
original city of Washington as designed
BY L'Enfant under the personal direc-
ton OF George Washington, IN accord
ance with the act of July 16, I79O. In
addition to the donated street areas,
President Washington purchased II
reservations, which included the Cap
itol Grounds and the White House
grounds, or Presidents Park.
Tells of Early Parks.
"Tne donated street areas were ex-
ceedingly wide. and permitted the es-
tablishment OF Lincoln Park, Farragut
Park, Dupont Circle, Thomas Circle
Scott Circle and numerous similar park
reservations. Many other park areas
have been acquired since through recla-
nation and donations"
Still other areas have been acquired
through purchase, sometimes with joint
Federal and District funds, but often
with Federal appropriations only, the
director continued Several more areas,
such as the Mount Vernon Memorial
Highway, have been acquired with
Federal funds and title vested in the
United States Government. he said.
Cites Presidents Action.
The Presidents recent action In
transferring the parks here to the In
terror Department mot only retains
them in Federal control but makes
them part of the worlds greatest park
organization" said Mr.. Cammerer, who
added that their administration, pro-
lection and development by men who
have spent their lives in the study of
park problems eliminates the neces-
sity Of two park organizations in the
National Capital and will result in more
efficient and economical administra-
ton"
Mr.. Hazen's suggestion of transfer
ring the parks o. the park police to
the District. Mr.. Cammerer declared,
would be step backward in both
economy and functioning"
1T would be duplicating an organi-
zation where such duplication should
be avoided" he said.
Some District functions, such as con-
troll over trees in the parking strips
bordering the streets, might well BE-
transferred in the interest Of economy
and efficiency to his Office, Mr.. CAM
merer added.