Evening star., 1939-12-04

made by two experts after a study
of the National Capital Parks.
After q study of budgetary mat
tiers pertaining to the National Cap
ital Parks and the dual response
bility existing in relation thereto,
H. S. Wagner and Charles g. Sauers,
the investigators who reported their
findings to Secretary Ickes, arrived
at two conclusions.
The real predicament" involving
the parks, they said, Is due to the
fact that the funds made available
cannot maintain and protect the
improved areas which constitute
about 90 per cent of the 6,027 park
acreage within the District. Prob
lems and prsdicaments," they be-
Meved, have not been completely
and effectively stated" before the
congressional committees At budget
hearings and these call for - down.
right statement Of the situation" IN
the belief It would improve mutual
understanding.
Secondly, they think the distribu-
ton of expense might be based on
the following theory: Cd That
the major portion of the cost of
aesthetic details be borne by the
Federal Government, and co that
the major portion Of facilities of
human use, recreational opportuni-
ties and the like. be borne by the Dis
trict of Columbia. Thus they open
the door to possible future discus
sion and consideration of the pres
ent fiscal relationship should execu-
tive officials determine to press for
an overhauling Of policies.
Disappointing to Many.
It is disappointing to many ON
cials and citizens that the park in
vestigators, given an absolutely free
rein in their study, did not make q
more downright statement" them
selves in discussing financial policy,
which has been q bone of conten-
ton since Congress departed some
years back from the established
60-40 ratio Of appropriations shared
between the District and Federal
governments. The report was re-
garded, nevertheless, as serving the
useful purpose OF spotlighting the
existing deficiencies in park main
tenance funds and calling them d.
rectly to the attention of the execu-
tive and legislative branches. For
this reason park officials believe 1t
may do some good.
Their study of the relationship of
the parks to the Federal City con-
vinced the investigators that the
interests Of the District onicials, Fed
eral onicials and Congress are iden-
tical. namely, to have fine parks as
q framework Of the Nations Capital
and for the social needs of citizens
Of the District. Because of this
identical interest,"" the report said {:
I'VE believe that there is adequate
support for the continuance of the
present policy Of joint financial re-
sponsibility for the acquisition, de-
velopment and maintenance of the
National Capital Parks. It is dis
tinctly the rule in the capitals Of
the world"
Unbalance in Program.
Whether Mr.. Wagner and Mr..
Sauers meant return to the original
principal Of the Capper-Cramton
land acquisition bill, they did not
indicate. They have not advanced
beyond the idea, they said, that the
Federal Government should contfib-
ute the bulk Of funds for the "aes-
thetic details" letting the District
concentrate on support Of the Thu.
man needs" The two are open to
rather wide Interpretation.
There is IN "unbalance" in the
present park purchase and mainte-
nance program, the report stressed
in another section, with the former
moving ahead.
The land purchases are made uu.
der the Capper- -Cramton Act; the
maintenance funds are apportioned
under the regular supply bill.
The original principal set down in
the Capper- Canton bill recognized
national interest and responsibility
for Washington's park system by
providing that park purchases should
represent contributions Of q penny
per capita from the people Of the
United States. Instead Of proceed
Ing on that principle, the bill, Is
finally enacted, provided that the
funds were to be shared on the same
basis that guided the ratio Of appro-
priations between the District and
Federal governments.
Recent years witnessed . grad
ual reduction In the amount Of the
Federal payment until finally the
~ @, a1l6 Iltie N aeendensd