Evening star., 1938-03-20

Legislation to unity WaShingtOn's
recreational program and make 1t pay
larger dividends to the taxpayers is
being urged by the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, which
has spent s4.5o0,oOO for 300 acres of
land under the 1880 recreational plan
Thomas S. Settle, commission secre-
tary. pointed out yesterday that while
S2,500,000 has been spent to improve
the recreation areas. there is still no
co-ordinated program of development
which has the sanction of Congress
At its recent meeting the commission
Endorsed in principle the bill intro
duced by Chairman King of the Dis
trict Committee to create a recreation
board in Washington to unity recrea-
tional projects. Mr. Settle contends
the bill will give Washington residents
one-third more for the money spent
The District Commissioners have not
expressed themselves on the measure,
which is pending in the committee.
Meanwhile, the Board of Education is
receiving opinions on the bill of those
most concerned in recreation in the
Capital.
Cites Program 10 Years Ago.
Mr. Settle recalled yesterday that
a dozen years ago the Districts well
fare work was scattered among many
agencies. much as the recreational
work now is. until Congress UNIFIED
the program under the Board of
Public Welfare. The city planners
would like to see ismilar action taken
in the interest OF recreation plans.
Mr.. Settle said the 1901 Mcmillan
plan for development Of the Capital
went into comprehensive detail con-
corning parks. but Fairgrounds were
practically unknown Frederic A.
Delano. chairman Of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion, came to Washington first as
resident in 1914 and has headed many
civic movements since. including the
Community Chest President Cool
idse appointed him to the Planning
Commission and he was reappointed
by Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt.
Accordingly, MI. Delano. who is now
striving for Washingtons recreational
unification. has been identified with
civic affairs here for a Quarter of a
century.
Brought About Program.
Mr.. Delanos interest in Washing
ton brought about appointment of
the Committee of One Hundred on
the Federal City, under the auspices
Of the American Civic Association,
now known as the American Plan
ming and Civic Association, and out
of this effort grew the National Park
Commission Of 1924 and the National
Capital Park and Planning Commis-
sion, which Congress established in
1926. The Planning Commission, en-
powered to buy land for parks. play
grounds and recreation centers in
1880 drew up a comprehensive plan
for development Of areas for recrea-
ton all over the city. In this work,
it was assisted by Mrs. Henry Grattan
Doyle, now president of the Board
of Education.
Under the 1880 land purchase
recreational development plan, the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission is still functioning in its
buying Of areas, the greater part of
which have already been acquired,
Mr.. Settle said. Mr.. Delanos con-
tention is that the District taxpayers
are not getting the full return on
their money invested in this land,
under the present set-up and they
cannot secure 1t under existing legis-
lation. Mr.. Settle observed.
The proposed recreational system
for the District. set up by the PLAN
ners under the 1890 program, con-
templates IS large recreation centers,
each of from to 40 acres. within
4 mile of every citizen Of the COM
munity." In addition, l25 smaller
Fairgrounds, each within q quarter