Evening star., 1939-11-27
Capper Defends
Acquisition Of
Park Lands
Fuvors Careful
Study Of Report
Criticizing Policy

The land-acquisition program OF
the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, sharply criti-
cized in the Wagner-Sauers report
recommending many changes In
policies governing Washington's
park system and it's facilities was
defended today by Senator Arthur
Capper, Republican, of Kansas as
"a benefit to the District"
Senator Capper, who is former
chairman and ranking minority
member of the Senate District Com
mittee, also Is one of the authors
OF the Capper-Cramton Act, under
which all park lands are acquired
In the District.
The park report, which no doubt
will be used to form a basis for
remedial legislation in some re-
spects, pointed out that land pur-
chases were outstripping park de-
velopment even to the point at
which the improved areas, compris-
ing about so per cent of present
holdings, are suffering from ade-
quate appropriation and attention.
Increasing Value Factor.
1.-The report apparently did not go
into one important reason for the
need of acquiring land in advance of
development" Senator Capper COM
mented. "One must bear in mind
the increasing value of property
available for park use. It is often
necessary to get hold of desirable
tracts before private developers
break in and send the prices up"
Senator Capper said he had "a
good deal of faith in the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion and in Mr.. Delano, its chair
man, in particular. He thought
1t would be necessary to go into this
phase OF the report very carefully,
as it was subject of vital impor-
tance. Mr.. Delano is an able and
high-class man and, more than any
one else perhaps, has suggested the
policies Of the land program he
said. u. c. Nichols of Kansas City,
another member of the commission,
is also very experienced in such
matters and has done more than
any one else to develop the parks in
his city"
Senator Capper said he was salts
ned the intentions of the Capper-
Cramton Act had been carried out
very satisfactorily" and he was not
disposed to criticize that phase of
the report until he had time to
find out on what premises the au-
thors based their findings.
Senator King Favors Study.
Senator William H. King, chair
man of the Senate District Com
nlittee, felt that some general
changes in park policies were neces-
sary and said the report would re-
ceive careful consideration if pre-
sented to the committee He was
unwilling at this time to discuss
details of the 50-page document.
The reorganization of National
Capital Park Offices as recommend
ed in the report would place all
supervised Fairgrounds under con-
troll of recreation commission. AS
now constituted they are managed
under committee of the Board of
Education and by the three District
Commissioners. Other recreation
facilities, such as golf courses, ten
mis- courts, picnic grounds, ETC.,
would be placed directly under con-
troll of National Capital Parks in a
unified policy
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle of the
Board of Education commented on
this aspect of the report 'unoffi-
cially" in the absence of board
action.
II have long felt that a recrea-
ton commission would give a more
comprehensive and effective pro-
gram of recreation" she said. But
she pointed out that such a change
would require an organic act if a
recreation commission is to be Gre
ated, similar to the organic act Gre
ating the Board of Education.
"As far as recreational facilities
are concerned she added, I'VE have
always tried to find way to provide
for them more adequately The
present combination seems to be
working out satisfactorily as far as
I can see."
Two factors are essential in
recreation commission as proposed
In the report, she pointed out
First, q complete understanding
that the primary function of the
schools is education and that use
of the schools for recreation is ad-
mirable and to be encouraged, must
be secondary to the use of the
schools for school activities"