Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-14

Initiating a program for spending
$1,000000 of P. w. A. funds for local
park improvements, officials OF the
National Capital Parks tomorrow
morning will send IL tree surgeons
into Rock Creek Park to work on the
tree areas there.
Frank T. Gartside, acting superin-
announced that the National Park
Service of the Interior Department
officially advised him yesterday that
this fund has been placed to the
credit of Washington'S parks in the
Treasury Department. Secretary Ickes
made the $1,000 900 ALLEGATION out of
the old $4,000, 900 public works
grant on May Is, but only yesterday
were the local authorities given word
to proceed with the spending and
putting men to work. The Treasury
Department said that the money had
been cleared the middle of last month
and that Controller General J. r.
McCarl at that time had given his
Endorsement to the program. What
has occasioned the delay since has
been somewhat of mystery. The
local park officials, holding up their
plans until receipt of the Treasury
warrant, were puzzled over the delay.
Program Is Outlined.
Hundreds of men are expected to
be put to work in the immediate
future. Mr.. GartSide said that first
on the list of the projects are the tree
surgery work, the Mall lighting, the
paving of Union Square and top SOIL
ing for the Arlington Memorial Bridge
approach and Meridian Hill Park,
preparatory to the Fall planting
schedule.
Starting out with II tree surgeons
tomorrow Mr.. Gartside anticipates
that 80 men in this profession will be
at work before the end of the week.
Ultimately, the force is to be built up
to so. They will be engaged in
aerating tree roots and feeding them
in the intensively- used picnic areas in
Rock Creek and MontroSe Parks, at
the outset. Mr.. Gartside is anxious to
have this wo.K proceed first, as ne
considers these areas are particularly
in need of treatment.
The ground in some of the picnic
areas has become literally baked, said
the park chief, through constant use,
with a consequent malnutrition for
the trees. The ground around needs
to be opened up, so that the trees can
breathe" better and artificial feeding
will be reSorted to. The tree surgeons
will be engaged in removing dead
branches, adjacent to the main roads,
that are considered dangerous in Rock
Creek Park.
Work to Be Extended.
The new tree surgery program is
designed to reach the larger parks
and the areas not covered in the pre-
vious expenditures in the city's main
smaller parks, Mr.. Gartside explained.
In about 10 days, his office will
advertise for lighting in the Mall.
The type of light has been Endorsed
by the Fine Arts Commission and the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
Plans for paving Union Square are
ready for translating into action. Bids
have already been opened and are
pending before the Bureau of Public
Roads. In about two weeks, Mr.. Cart
side expects, the job of supplying top
soil for the Arlington Memorial Bridge
approach and the Meridian Hill Park
viii be on the market. The contract
for lighting Meridian Hill Park will
be separated and will follow shortly.
Mr.. Gartside held conference yes
terday with officials Of the branch
of plans and design of the National