Evening star., 1933-11-26
Proposals Are Forwarded to
Interior Department for
Improvement.
RECREATION CENTERS
AND ROADS INCLUDED
Estimates Are Sent to c. w. A.
Head-1,o00 Men Already Being
Worked for District.


is contemplated in estimates prepared
for the parks, under direction Of Park
Supt. C. Marshall Finnan and for
warded yesterday to the Interior De-
partment. This blocks out a program
until February Is and includes road
construction, recreation center develop
mentS, rehabilitation Of the older parks
in the downtown section and construc-
ton of log shelters in Rock Greek and
Glover Parks.
Mr.. Finnan's estimates went forward
yesterday to the Interior Departments
liaison officer for the Civil Works Ad-
ministration. They were to be trans
mitted later to Harry Hopkins, the civil
works administrator. At present there
are $50 workers in the parks. under the
c. w A program, with $50 additional
being worked by the Federal authori-
ties on behalf of the District in the
parks
The program sent up yesterday pro-
yides for improvement of the Takoma
recreation center by installing SWIM
ming pool and field house; for Banneker
recreation center. near Howard Uni
VerSity, for a swimming pool and neIo
house; for an under drain in west
Potomac Park; for treating the trees
and generally improving the smaller
parks in the older sections of the city;
the building of nine log cabins In ROCK
Creek Park and one in Glover Park;
the employment of 76 surveyors and
craftsmen for the various Improvement
programs; filling and grading in Turkey
Thicket Playground, and for the eXca-
walton of some 10000 cubic yards OF
earth in Rock Creek and Potomac
Parkway. between K and P streets.
This earth is needed. Mr.. Finnan eX-
planned, as fill in the Banneker Recre-
alton Center and other sections near
Rock Greek Valley.
In the National Arboretum so to 80
civil workers will be employed IN ad-
dition to the group OF Civilian Conser-
walton Corps young men that are WORK
ing there.
The general policy is not to construct
an extensive road system under the
Civil Works Administration employees
such as would be needed in the Fort
Drive connecting the old Civil War
forts and circling the National Capltal'
Mr. Finnan explained.
While these civil works projects are
being pushed men are being employed
on Public Works Administration prof.
ects in the park system, such as on
Constitution avenue, which is being
widened from Virginia avenue to the
Potomac River Similarly, the extern
sion of E street westward toward the
rear of the White House is also being
carried forward and Is expected to be
completed shortly.
Delano Seeks S55O,OO0.
Meanwhile Frederic A. Delano, chair
man of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, it was learned
last night, is drafting letter to PreSl-
dent Roosevelt to request the release
sion'S land purchasing fund lmpounded
as an economy move by Director OF the
Budget Douglas
Mr.. Delano took this action after
consulting with his colleagues and be-
ing impressed with the necessity for
pushing forward without delay the COM
missions program for park, playground
and recreation center development here.
It is considered likely that the letter
will be in President Roosevelts hands
bv the time he returns after Thanks
giving from his trip to Warm
Springs, Ga.
Retards Employment.
Park officials said yesterday that the
continued tying up of the S55O, O,0O0 1und
is retarding the employment program
here. as many workers would oe utn-
lied under the Civil Works AdmlnlStra-
ton, if various tracts, now only partiy
In Government ownership, were 1ully
owned, so that they could be improved
as a unit. :.
The $3.50, 900 has been lying idle in
the Treasury for more than SIX montns
now, when Mr., Douglas annouhttsG9, Geo
money could not be obligated. The
commission has been forced to work
only on ending land deals. 1t consio-
ers that now is the opportune time LOT
the Government to go ahead WIN us
nrogram and purchase remaining lotS, SO
that the public may benefit. Due TO IN
tervening properties, which the Govern
ment wants to secure, but Whlcn are
now in private hands, the commission
is hamstrung for lack OF funds IN ltS
Improvement program.
Virtually Frozen Asset"
At the nresent time. the park authori-
ties declared, some $4,000, 600, repre-
senting land purchases Tor parks play
grounds and recreation cenIelo az aie
Virtually a frozen asset" because tne
government, lacking the S55O.Oo ap-
T1ronriated bv Congress, which the COM
mission had intended to spend IN wen
formulated plan. is not now available.
with the Governments policy OF Gre
citing work the park officials say, there
is annie man power for the improve
rnent of these areas when they come
entirely into public ownership. Some
Sc OOO,O 900 are invested in the forC
Drive program whereby the old Clvll
war forts around Washington will be
connected with a motor highway. Be-
cause some of the tracts have not been
bought vet by the Government, the pub
lie is denied the full use of the COM
pleted project.
Time to Secure Benefits.
With the hundreds of men being put
TO work here, under the Civil Works
Administration, and young men from
two Civilian Conservation Corps camps,
one at Fort du Pont and the other at
Fort Hunt. Va, park authorities as
sert that this would be the logical time
to secure permanent benefits for Wash
ington, by expending the now idle
$500 600 fund.
Mr.. Delano is hoping to convince
President Roosevelt and Director Dou-
glas of the urgent need for releasing the
commissions land purchasing fund
without delay Nearly all of this money,
in any event, will have to be repaid into
the Federal Treasury by District tax
payers, under the terms of the Capper-
Cramton park purchase act, and SO,
the park officials say, there is no saw
ing to the Federal Government in with
holding this fund. -.---