Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-08-20
Capital Parks
Ask 100000
Budget Boost
Four-Yeur Plan for
RecreutionuI Area
Expansion Provided

Mill and add nine new officers to
the present park police force.
The parks estimates totaled
$1.127, 467. In the present appro-
priations S925,422 is provided for
this agency. The increases sought
include $128,250 for construction of
new recreational centers; $4,000
for the Pierce Mill dam and S17710
for new park police personnel.
At the same time the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission asked the Commissioners to
approve budget estimates totaling
$35O,47O. This would be an in
crease of 1920 over current appro-
priations. Of this amount $4,000
would be used to acquire for park
purposes land surrounding the
boundary stones marking the Dis
trict of Columbia Maryland bound
airy line, and the remainder would
be used for one new employee
draftsman-salary increases and
preparation of surveys and maps.
The sum of 100000 again is re-
quested by the planning body to
reimburse the Federal Government
in compliance with provisions of the
Capper-Cramton Act.
Vehicles Department Wants More.
The 1912 budget estimates of the
Department of Vehicles and Traffic,
submitted to the Commissioners late
yesterday, contain requests for in
creases totaling s54,170 to provide
for Is new employees, traffic lights at
"a additional intersections and new
mo parking" signs.
In requesting funds to begin
four-year recreational expansion
program, which contemplates total
expenditure of about 100000, the
National Capital Parks Office said it
was essential that serious considera-
ton be given to the provision OF
additional recreational facilities
that will more adequately serve
Washington.
The inadequacy of facilities for
active recreation in the National
Capital park system has been the
cause of severe criticism from the
public and the press during the past
year" the agency said. The city
has Jagged far behind other pro-
gressive municipalities, particularly
IN the provision of tennis courts and
softball diamonds.
"A large increase in population
Is inevitable due to the national de-
Tense program. A greater demand
than ever from Government workers
for recreational facilities is expected
if fitness and good morals is to be
maintained during these critical
days ahead"
80 New Tennis Courts.
The parks Office proposed to use
the suggested $128,250 approprla-
ton to build 80 new tennis courts
and 10 softball diamonds and to
develop other recreational facilities
in East Potomac Park. Anacostla
and Fort Dupont Parks and IN
BrightWood. These are so located
as to provide city-wide service. 1t
was pointed out that q tennis
courts and two softball diamonds are
to be abandoned due to the land
scaping for the National Gallery OF
Art and extension of independence
avenue.
In asking for eight additional
privates and one sergeant for the
park police force, the agency said
that "inadequate police supervision
over the last five years has resulted
in a large amount of physical
damage from abuses, vandalism and
petty thievery which cannot be pre-
vented unless additional police are
provided
It was pointed out that park police
personnel was reduced from rs to
II men five years ago, but that since
that time park areas have increased
by approximately 1874 acres. In ao-
dition, during the present fiscal year
the development of five large re-
creational areas will be completed
with C. C. C. funds, necessitating
additional police protection. In the
past few years, the agency said, the
need for more supervision often mas
forced many members of the force
to work from II to IA hours per day.
Need for New Dam.
A new dam is needed at Pierce
Mill, the parks office said, to pro-
vide the necessary head for mill
operation, to prevent overflow and
to scour silt deposits from the up
stream bed. The existing dam cam
not be modified to meet the re-
ouirements, the agency said, point
ing out that the existing arrange
ment has resulted in the destruc-
ton of an extensive area of valley
floor.
The estimates disclosed that the
park system now consists of 726
reservations, with total of 6,l3O
acres, FOG of which were added
during the last year.
In submitting estimates totaling
1891 ,270, as compared with the cur
rent appropriation Of 1887 100,
Traffic Director William A. Van
Duzer called attention to Census
Bureau figures showing that the
of Washington and the
metropolitan area has risen to
nearly 100000, and declared:
Traffic conditions have greatly
changed and it is urgent that new
studies and traffic counts be made
throughout the District to meet the
demand for new installations OF
traffic signals and necessary changes
In present installations"
Two Engineer Aides.
Among the new employees sought
bv the department are two engineer
aides, who would be paid $4,000
wear each; five traffic checkers to
add to the present force of nine, and
four additional clerks. In addition,
Mr.. Van Duzer asked for $1,000 to
hire four temporary clerks to handle
increased work in connection with
permit renewals. With
the new employees, the department
personnel would be raised to ITO.
In requesting the new engineer
aides, the traffic director called at
tention to a 1888 report by the Ma
tioual Safety Council, which showed
mat Washington had less than half