Evening star., 1941-09-11
|18MiIIion Asked
To Speed DC.
Recreation
Long-Term Pay Plan
Suggested; Million
Urged as Starter

The Commissioners had before
them for consideration today a re-
quest that they seek an $4,000, 900
program to expedite development Of
the Districts recreational system to
cope with rapidly growing demands
for additional recreational facilities.
The program, which would pro-
vide for the progressive development
of l56 recreational units, was pro-
posed in the 1943 budget estimates
submitted to the city heads yesterday
by the National Capital Parks Office.
1t was suggested that the District
sponsor legislation similar to the
Capper- -Cramton Act to make $l8,-
OOO, 900 available for development of
the system.
The parks Office recommended
that these funds be advanced by
the Federal Government, and sug-
gested that the fund might be
amortized without interest by the
District over a period of 80 to 40
years, thus enabling residents to
enjoy the benefits of the recreational
facilities without the necessity OF
greatly increasing the tax burden.
$1,000, 900 "Starter" Urged.
As q starter, the National Capital
Parks urgently" recommended that
$l,000,000 be included in the 1s43
District budget to begin work on the
development of 80 units Of the rec
reation system. Proposed legislation
creating q Recreation Board for the
District stin is pending before Con-
gress, and the parks office suggested
that, if the bill is passed, the ST.
600 900 appropriation would give the
new board IAN opportunity for i'm
mediate constructive action"
The agency emphasized that de-
velopment of the local recreation
system has Jagged far behind the
program for expansion of other mu-
nicipal facilities, despite a popula-
ton increase of SO per cent during
the 10-year period between 1880 and
1910. During this time, the little
that was accomplished was made
possible only by the C. C. c., w. p. A.
and other emergency labor and by
p. w. A. funds, and these services
are no longer available because OF
the defense program.
The Capper- -Cramton Act of 1880
provided for purchase of land for
parks, parkways and Fairgrounds.
These funds could be used only for
buying land, however. and approx
imately 80 per cent of the total has
been used. At first, the District was
required to repay the Federal Gov
eminent at the rate of s1,00o,000 a
year, but the act was amended later
to reduce the annual payment OF
$300n00f lllif
List Proposed Work. it
In requesting a $1,000. 900 appro-
priation for development during the
next fiscal year, the parks office
submitted proposals for work on
these units:
Anacostia, Park. $1,000; Banne-
ker Recreation, $25,000; East Po-
tomac Park, s45,000; Langston Rec
reation Center, 10000; Brightwood
Recreation Center, $4,000; McKin-
ley-Eckington Recreation Center,
s18 600: Takoma Recreation Center,
$4,000; Dunbar Center, $4,000;
Southwest Recreation Center, $50
600; Randall Recreation Center,
$4,000; Columbia Heights Recrea-
ton Center, $4,000; Francis Recre-
alton Center, $45, 900; Fort Chaplin,
$4,000; Rosedale Playground, sl0.-
600: Hillcrest Recreation Center.
$22, 900; Mid-City Playground, $40
600; Trinidad Recreation Center,
$4,000; Southeast Recreation Cen
ter, $4,000; Rose Park Playground,
$40, 900; Lincoln Playground, $26, 600:
Sherwood Playground, $4,000;
Hoover Playground, $4,000; Ray
mond Playground, $4,000; Turkey
Thicket Playground, $4,000; Vir-
ginia Avenue Playground, $4,000;
Georgetown Playground, $4,000; Ely
Place Playground, SIS, 900; Congress
Heights Playground, $21 900; North
east Recreation Center, $4,000, and
Phoebe Hearst Playground, $4,000.
The parks Office, presenting
budget calling for $2,184,895, an in
crease of $1,234.893 over last years,
also urged these items: $4,000 for
construction of dam across ROCK
Creek at Pierce Mill; $4,000 for
maintenance Of park areas acquired
during the current year, and $500
for personnel and material for
maintenance of Dumbarton Oaks,
the 27-acre park donated to the city
by Robert Woods Bliss.
More Park Police Sought.
An increase of $35 $3.50 in the salary
item for the United States Park
Police was requested to provide for
one or more sergeants and II pri-
Yates. 1t was contended the new
officers are needed because OF the
increased park areas.
The budget of the National Capt.
tai Park and Planning Commission
calls for an increase of s4,240 to pay
for an additional craftsman and the
services of per diem consultantS. The
estimates also include 100000 for
the annual repayment under the
Capper -Cramton Act.
Also submitted to the Commission
ers yesterday were the estimates Of
the Washington Zoo. Requesting an
increase of $210,350, which would
make its 1943 budget total s449, $40,
the ZOO recommended employment
of two more policemen, two keepers,
10 laborers and an assistant keeper.
Other increases would be used for
an incinerator and repairs to the
lion, reptile, antelope and bird
houses, and other structures.