Evening star., 1939-12-04
Downright Statement of Needs
Urged by Parks Probers
Problems Have Not Been Presented
Completely at Budget Hearings, Ickes Told

in favor Of a Federal lump sum,
which District officials contend is
inadequate. Although the park in
vestigators do not make this recita-
ton of facts in their report, they
do emphasize that the District tax
payers now are contributing seven
ninths of the cost of maintenance.
protection and operation of the park
system. The same ratio applies, OF
course, to land acquisitions.
The report observes that at the
end of 1898 the park system con-
tanned 703 reservations, with a total
Of 5,79s acres. Included was the
Mount Vernon Memorial highway.
Later statistics, as of June 80. 1899,
placed the total acreage within the
District at 6,027 and the number
Of reservations at 722. The princi-
pal acquisition In the District was
80 acres Of the Chesapeake & Ohio
Canal right Of way.
!. In pointing out the increases in
sereage, however, park officials 60
back to June, 1892. Then there
sHas . total Of 5,048 acres in $50
eeservations.
The maintenance funds today
are actually 10 per cent less than
in 1882 and the park areas have in
creased about IS per cent" an OFF,
cial explained. That situation is
bad enough, but they claimed new
improvements call for a lot more
attention during the first two or
three years and consequently eat
into the maintenance funds.
Two Other Cities Cited.
There is that matter, too, of the
81 ,o00,0 Secretary Ickes gave the
parks out of P. w. A. funds several
years ago, but that amount was ex-
pended on improvements and not
on maintenance. Nor are c. c. C..
workers in the District used in the
general maintenance program.
While making no definite recon-
mendation on the amounts Congress
should appropriate for operation Of
the park system, the report points
out that Washington spends $1,089,-
600 on its system, while Milwaukee
and Minneapolis, in comparative
population and park acreage brack-
cts with the Capital, spends slightly
over $780, 900. The two cities were
chosen for comparative purposes be-
cause their park systems are known
for the excellence of their admins
tration and condition of properties.
The estimates used were based on
1888 figures.
Milwaukee, with 1862 acres, COM
pared with Washington's then acre
age of 5,79e, spent $685. 1903. Min
neapolis, with 1924 acres, spent
$607 600. From their statements
were removed the cost for operating
refectories and golf courses, since
those are not included In the annual
charges of National Capital Parks.
No figures were included on capital
outlay for new developments or
participation in w. P. A. and G.
c. G. programs.
There are some factors in National
Capital Parks, however, that are not
common to cities of similar popula-
ton and park acreage, the investi-
gators pointed out.
Special and Costly Problem.
The unusual number of small
reservations, circles, squares, rec
tangles and triangles in Washington
create q special and costly prob
lem. National Capital Parks serves
as q standby service to the White
House for emergency repairs, ma
jor operations on grounds and police
details for functions. It further
does the bookkeeping for the White
House and grounds operations and
also operates the necessary green
houses for servicing the White
House.
Overintensive use of existing park
areas In the District Is another fac
tor operating against costs here.
The greater number Of monu-
mental buildings, statues and memo
rials, not common to any other park
district. all require defined main
tenance and definite repair prob
lens. In other words. the report
points out, the necessity Of MAIN
tanning an ofnc:al front" adds to
the cost Of operations.
The discussion Of finances even
tually brought the two investigators
to consideration Of the $4,000 salary
proposed for an experienced super
intendent. .:aThe salary proposed is
necessary to secure . qualified man."
they said.
Secretary Ickes recently approved
. request for q civil service exam
ination as the means Of qualifying
. new superintendent and In the
new budget estimates on which
hearings are now being conducted,
recommended that the basic salary
b IeclasliQsd g pay Se 500. That u