IPARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS iF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA r »iC«>»»taaiCii>»taaiCa>».'.aaiCn.'>»«p0»JI.T»?S>»Wl*'«>««;M£»>»';»*t' UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00024445343 This BOOK may be kept out TWO WEEKS ONLY, and is subject to a fine of FIVE CENTS a day thereafter. It is DUE on the DAY indicated below: SEP £ 7 1^74 DEC 8 1987 b^ si M\ 'JAN 3 2005 ■! \ 9 2005 1 Mil^K^ll^' ' PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS. A SERIES OF TWENTY PAPEES RELATIXG TO THE BIPROVEMENT OF THE PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; PRINTED FOR THE USE OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; EDITED AND COMPILED BY CHARLES MOORE, THE CLERK OF THAT COMMITTEE. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTTNG OFFICE, I'M) 3. Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2011 witii funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil http://www.archive.org/details/parkimprovementpOOmoor TABLE OF CO^TEISTTS. Page. Paper Xo. I. Action of the Washington Board of Trade in Relation to the Park System of the District of Columbia. By W. V. Cox 5 II. Action Toward the Establishment of an Arboretum. Corre- spondence between JMr. Albert I\I. Read, member of the com- mittee on parks and reservations, Washington Board of Trade, and Frederick V. Coville, botanist. Department of Agricul- ture 23 III. The Need of Additional Playgrounds, Parks, and Reservations, Statement of Columliia Heights Citizens' Association; state- ment of Washington Civic Center; statement of the Associated Charities and the Citi/^ens' Relief Association; statement of the North Capitol and Eckington Citizens' Association; state- ment of the Takoma Park Citizens' Association 31 IV. Fort Stevens, Wiiere Lincoln was under Fire. By William V. Cox, chairman of the historical committee, Brightwood Citi- zens' Association 47 Y. Informal Hearing Before the Subcommittee of the Committee on the District of Columbia, United States Senate, Relative to the Appointment of the Park Commission 75 VI. Notes on the Parks and their Connections. By Charles Moore. 87 VII. Notes on the Establishment of a National Park in the District of Columbia, and the Acquii'ement and Improvement of the Valley of Rock Creek for Park Purposes. By William V. Cox [ 107 VIII. Men on Horseback. A paj^er on the equestrian statuary in Washington, read before the Columbia Historical Society, by Mr. S. H. Kauffmann 151 IX. Essay on the City of Washington. Reprinted from the Wash- ington Gazette for November 19, 23, 26, and December 7, 1796. 167 X. Informal Conference of the Park Improvement Commission of the District of Columbia, Held in the Room of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia on October 21, 1901. Remarks of Hon. Henry B. F. Macfarland, president. Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia; remarks of Dr. S. P. Langley, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution 1S3 XL Extract from a jiajver (in the Commercial Value of Beauty. By Daniel IL Burnham 191 XII. Centennial Avenue. Editorials reprinted from the Evening Star 195 680091 ///'~^', 4 PAEK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS. Page. Paper No. XIII. The Making of a Plan for Washington City. A paper read before the Columbia Historical Society, by Glenn Brown, F. A. I. A 211 XIV. Abstract of Laws and Ordinances Relative to the Washing- ton Market Company 219 XV. A Paper Relating to the Trees, Shrubs, and Plants in the United States Capitol Grounds, and an Index of the Same, together with Some Observations ujion the Planting and Care of Trees in the District of Cf)lumbia. By Frederick Law Olmsted, landscape architect 223 XVI. The Eighteenth and Twentieth Century Plans for Washing- ton City. A paper read before the National Arts Club, New York, February 12, 1902, by Glenn Brown, F. A. I. A. 247 XVII. 1. The Embellishment of Washington. A paper read before the Literary Society of Washington, May 3, 1902, by Clar- ence E. Messer 263 ^ 2. Art and the Toilers. Abstract of a paper read before the convention of the American Social Science Association at Washington, by Rev. Frank Sewall 268 SECOND SERIES. Paper No. I. The Utilization of Public Reservations. Address of Presi- dent Eliot, of Harvard University, before the American Park and Outdoor Art Association, at Boston, Mass., August 5, 1902 247 II. Notes on the Antwerp Quay and on the Exhibition of Animals in Zoological Parks, by Frederick Law Olmsted, jr., landscape architect 259 III. The Embellishment of Washington, Ijy Hon. Carroll D. Wright, United States Commissioner of Labor. Reprinted from the New York Independent 267 SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS, NO. 1. ACTION OF THE WASHINGTON BOARD OF TRADE IN RELATION TO THE PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. March 28, 1901. — Printeci for the use of the committee. Washington City, March 20, 1901. Sir: In compliance with the suggestion of Mr. Charles Moore, clerk of 3'our committee, I send herewith abstracts from the ninth and tenth annual reports of the Washington Board of Trade on the development of the park sj^stem in the District of Columbia. In his annual report of 1899, President Theodore W. Noyes said: Next year's campaign of the board of trade will deal with matters of surpassing importance. Especial attention should and doubtless will be given to a determined effort to develop on broad, artistic, and practical lines the park system of the city and District. * * * The parking system of the future Washington will clearly be of wonderful attract- iveness. The attention to be given to the reservations within the present city limits will make them health-giving breathing places for the benefit of that portion of the people who must rely for fresh air and natural scenery upon parks close at hand. The thousands of trees connecting these reservations with bands of shade and making Washington a forest city will be multiplied. The reservations themselves will be adorned with all the resources of the landscape gardener's art, with flowering shrubs and plants, also with statuary and with fountains, including the exceedingly effective electric fountains for which Colonel Bingham pleads. The system of parklets of the original city will be extended to the suburbs, so that the aspirations in this direction of Eckington, Columbia Heights, and Anacostia Heights may be gratified, and no entei'prising outlying tributary of the capital may have cause to complain. The mall of the original city will be connected with the new Potomac Park and form an integral and important part of an extensive park area. The blemishes upon the appearance of the mall through disfiguring railroad tracks will not, however, be permitted by the public to be duplicated in the case of the new reservation. The latter will, in pursuance of the declaration of the law, be forever held and used as a public park, for the recreation and pleasure of the people. Both Colonel Bingham and Colonel Allen have taken a lively and intelligent interest in the subject of the development and adornment of Potomac Park. If a fraction of the proposed uses of this area is realized the public welfare will be wonderfully promoted. The park 5 6 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OP COLUMBIA. will be transformed into a thing of beauty by the landscape gardener's art; an improved and enlarged bathing beach and bathing pool will contribute to the public health; for the recreation of the peoi^le there will he provided liaseVjall diamonds, polo grounds, tennis courts, golf links, and special areas, including piles of sand for the little ones; upon water basins will be rowboats and naphtha launches; here will be laid out in ellipse shape a sidewalk, a carriage drive, a bridle path, a bicycle path and a speedway, and inclosed within the ellipse will be an area suitable for races and field sports. Tree-lined roads and bridle paths will afford attractive vistas of land and water. Continuing this system will be the future boulevard along urban Rock Creek, con- necting the river reservations with the Zoological and Rock Creek parks. Thence the proposed Fort drive, or some other great avenue across the iiorthern part of the District, will lead to Soldiers' Home and the Anacostia Park that is to be. Anacostia Park is capable of developing and doubtless will develop along the lines laid down for Potomac Park. As a natural result of the recent Supreme Court decision, the river front, not only of the Potomac Park, but of the city itself, will be developed in usefulness and attract- iveness. In place of the unsightly and discreditable conditions which now offend the eye along the Potomac front, the natural results of the uncertainty concerning title which has prevailed, will be substituted a handsome river wall of granite, broad embankments, stone piers, asphalted streets, bits of parking, fountains, shade trees, and suitable flower beds. Water street must conform in attractive appearance to Potomac Park on the oppo- site side of the channel, with its shade trees picturesquely overhanging the water. The capital's water front lends itself as readily to and is as worthy of adornment as those of London, Paris, and Berlin. With the completion of the full project of the reclamation of the Potomac Flats the railroad will cross the deepened Potomac on an elevated structure, clearing the new park fi-om railroad obstruction, as well as relieving the city from the menace of Long Bridge dam, and both by the reconstructed Long Bridge and by the Memo- rial Bridge that is to be the park system on the Maryland side of the Potomac will be connected with the great Government reservation at Arlington, rounded out by a boulevard to Mount Vernon, the survey for which was authorized by Congress in 1889, and which would assume a distinctly national and patriotic character as the roadway from the capital of the nation to the tomb of its great founder. No other labor of the centennial year is more inspiring or more promising of not- able results in increasing the attractiveness of the capital than that of developing Washington as the city of parks and the forest city by a vigorous campaign for the series of connected reservations above outlined, utilizing at every step Washington's diversified natural advantages, the urban circles and triangles, the larger reservations which furnish an emerald setting for public l)uildings, the heights to the north and west, and the beautiful rivers to the south and east, whose banks are changing, and should be quickly and thoroughly transformed from marshes and malarious wastes into beautiful landscapes with shaded driveways and with lawn surfaces, diversified by attractive lakes. There would not be, in Vienna or Budapest, or anywhere in the world, a grander rmg street or boulevard than that which should take its start on the westward grassy slopes of the Capitol grounds, sweep through the Mall and Potomac Park and up Rock Creek to the Zoo and Rock Creek National Park; thence by boulevard to the Soldiers' Home, and finally by boulevards and Anacostia Park back to the eastern sward and shade trees and impressive Dome of the Capitol. Its only rival would be the boulevard drive which should sweep from the Capitol through the Mall and Potomac Park, across a magnificent memorial bridge to Arlington, and by a national boulevard along the Potomac to Mount Vernon and the tomb of Washington. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 7 The old Washington is a series of parks, connected by broad, park-Uned and tree- lined thoroughfares, in Avhose verdure and foliage the jjublic and private buildings are framed. The park system which thus permeates the original city is to pervade in like fash- ion the new Washington, and the ancient park of the forefathers' plans lying between the Capitol and the AVhite House and touching the Potomac is to merge into a great river park system, which will include, as already suggested, both banks of the Poto- mac, the valley of Rock Greek, and the flats and heights of the Anacostia. Let us of the Washington of to-day, in building up the nation's city of the second century of its life, emulate the breadth and boldness in design and the A'igor in exe- cution which were displayed at the end of the last century and in 1800 by the founders of the capital. The board of trade's eonimittee on parks and reservations reported in November, 1899, as follows: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PARKS AND RESERVATIONS. [Henry F. Blount, chairman; Julian C. Dowi'U, Daniel Fraser, Henry B. Looker, .1. Harrison Johnson, Ward Thoron, James B. Wimer, Allen W. Mallery, William V. Cox, Charles S. Bundy, Joseph H. Cranford, William L. Bramhall, Frank H. Thomas, R. G. Rutherford, J. L. Parsons, Christian Heurich, H. Randall Webb, Charles Jacobsen, S. T. Brown.] Washinc^ton, T>. C, Xovemher 8, 1899. The President of the Washington Board of Trade: In no year iu our history, as the one which is just closing, has there been so great an advance in the appreciation of ours as a great nation, and in a like degree of Wash- ington as its capital city. Certainly there has never been a time when the citizens of the capital have been more deeply impressed with the necessity of keeping it abreast of the times in the way of public improvements, not the least of whicli are its public parks. We are pleased to be able to report progress in the improvements of the parks of the District of Columbia, especialh^ of Rock Creek Park. Work in this park was made possible under the law passed at the last session of Congress making the balance of §23,69.3.45 on account of acquiring Rock Creek Park available for its improvement. You will recall that at the January meeting of the board my committee advocated the adoption of certain resolutions, which for record's sake we will reproduce: "Whereas under the act of September 27, 1890, authorizing the establishment of a public jjark in the District .of Columbia, there w'as acquired a most picturesque tract of land lying on both sides of Rock Creek from Klingle Ford Bridge to the State line of ^Maryland, which under the law is to be perpetually dedicated and set apart as a pleasure groimd for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States; and "W^hereas the said park is inaccessible to those for whom it was created for want of proper roads and entrances: Therefore, be it '^Resolved, That the board of trade urgently requests the House of Representa- tives to accept the amendment to the bill asking appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900 (H. R. 11083), which was adopted by the Senate on .January 7, 1899, as follows : " 'For the care and improvement of Rock Creek Park, to be expended under the direction of the board of control of said park, the unexpended balance, amounting to $23,693.-45, of the appropriation made by the act approved September 27, 1890, for the expenses of acquiring said park, is herel^y appropriated.' (P. 45, after line 5.) g PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. "Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the adoption of said amendment will enable the legal custodians of the park to begin to cai ry out the provisions of the law for laying out and preparing roadways and bridlepaths to be used for driving and horseback riding, respectively, and footpaths for pedestrians, and also to pre- serve from Injury or spoliation all timber, animals, or curiosities within said park and their retention in their natural condition as nearly as possible. " Resolved, That copies of these resolutions, duly attested, be sent by the proper offi- cer to House and Senate conferees on the District of Colum):)ia bill fH. R. 11803) and to the Committees on the District of Columbia of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States." These resolutions were not only adopted unanimously, but our committee made special effort to impress members of Congress with the necessity of taking favorable action on the suggested measure. The item was inserted in the District bill and became a law, and no time was lost by the board of control, composed of Gen. John M. Wilson, U. S. A., and Capt. Lansing H. Beach, U. S. A., in opening up roads and developing the park on natural lines of great beauty. It is now possible to drive along Rock Creek, as it wildly dashes over falls and rapids, from the Zoological Park on the south to the Military road, west of Brightwood. Beginning with the lower end of the park and following the improvements in detail, we have, first, the widening of a narrow drive between Klingle road and Piney Branch and bordering the creek, then a rustic arch over the mouth of Piney Branch, then a new road that was used previous to the time of the board of public works. This gives a continuous drive along the east l)ank of Rock Creek from Klin- gle road to the bridge at Pierce Mill. Just east of this drive is the new entrance to the park by way of ColumlMa avenue. A bridge 60 feet high and 300 feet long is being erected, at a cost of ?10,000, under the bridge department of the District, and about $1,000 has been spent in l^uikling an approach at the north end of the viaduct. From Pierce mill to Blagden mill site a fair road is in existence, and no improve- ments have been made under the l)oard of control, although some have been suggested. From Blagden mill site to the Military road — a region hitherto open only to good pedestrians — the most expensive and important part of the park improvement has been carried on in opening up an entirely new road and in making accessible the most rugged and wildest scenery on the creek. The road is 7,000 feet long and graded to a width of 30 feet. The feature about the road is its winding nature and even grade. Although there is a rise of 70 feet from Blagden mill site to the Military road, this elevation is climbed by such easy grades as to seem almost level. Some heavy grading and blasting have been occasioned, but this last has furnished the material for the macadam, and this road is unique in thus supplying material for its construc- tion. Its cost, including cobblestone gutters, will be something over §10,000. Where the creek joins the Military road we can still follow a fine macadam to the Daniels road. From this last point a macadam road is lieing built through the park to the Broad Branch road at a cost of $-1,000. This road is 3,000 feet long and leads part of the way through very dense shade. The scenery along Rock Creek above the Military road is so different from that immediately below, having a softer look, that in the opinion of the board of con- trol it is very desirable to extend and highly improve a di'ive along the upper pail of the creek, where there are no roads at the present time to make this section accessible. From Military road northward along the creek work of opening a dirt road to the District line is now in progress. The grading incident to such opening is comparatively small, the greatest item of expense being in macadamizing, which must be covered by future appropriations. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 9 We can not commend too highly the work done hy the otiicers in charge in con- structing along the narrow gorges and between hills covered with most beautiful trees a driveway which will be enjoyed by pleasure seekers in carriages, on horse, and on wheel, as well as pedestrians, and by citizens of the northern end of the Dis- trict who may desire to avoid streets and roads occuy)ied l)y electric cars in going to and coming from the city. The development of Rock Creek Park should be cuintinued, and our committee urges the indorsement of the estimate of $30,000 made by the District Commissioners for the coming year, so that their plans and those of the l)oaril of control can be carried out. We feel that the eastern boundary of Rock Creek Park should be changed, and that beyond the new reservoir at Brightwood to the District line Sixteenth sti'eet should be its eastern boundary. There are several small holdings between that street and the park that were not purchased originally for want of sufficient funds. These project into the park, and should be obtained, so as to avoid having the park front on uninviting back buildings that will inevitably be constructed on these pieces of ground. In this connection we desire to call attention to the following resolutions that were before the board some time ago and which ha^'e been adopted In' various citizens' associations: "ResoJved, That in order to make Rock Creek Park more accessible and to preserve its beautj' and symmetry. Sixteenth street should form the eastern boundary of said park from Blagden Mill road to the District line. "Resolved, That on account of its great natural beauty the tract vi land, about 600 feet in width, lying on either side of Piney Branch stream from its junction with Rock Creek to Columbia avenue should also l^e made a part of Rock Creek Park. "Eesolred, That the honorable the Commissioners of the District of Columl)ia Ije requested to make a preliminary survey of the, land herein mentioned and an esti- mate of its cost and prepare plats of the same, together with such bill or bills for obtaining said land b}^ gifts, purchase, or condemnation, submit to and urge the pas- sage of this measure by the Congress of the United States." We believe that a iireliminarj^ survey should be made of the land mentioned at the earliest time practicable with a view of acquiring it. A broad roadway- should con- nect Rock Creek Park with the grounds of the Soldiers' Home. We conclude this part of our report by quoting an editorial from the Evening Star of June 28. 1899: "It is the opinion of experts in landscape gardening that the area inclosed within the limits of Rock Creek Park is an exceptionally beautiful bit of territory. The gorges of the valley, the sturdy growths of forest trees on the hillsides, the waters of the creek, and the rocks all combine to form a succession of picturesque views which can not be exceeded in this portion of the country. It has long been held by the majority of citizens that the most satisfactory treatment of the park would be to per- mit as many as possible of tlie natural features to remain without change, while furnishing access into and through the park at such places as the toj^ography suggests. ' "There is little or no need of artificial gardening in the midst of such a profusion of natural beauty. In this \dew there has rather been more patience with Congress in proceeding slowlj' toward the exploitation and development of the park than would have been the case had there been need of expenditures involving elaborate construction and requiring years of labor. It has been recognized that careful study of the situation by high authorities in such matters would serve a far better purpose than hasty performances intended solely to transform the park into a semi-artificial picnic ground or flower garden. A new story published to-day shows that a move has at last been made toward the full development of the park's beauties, which ought to bring about the desired results. Commissioner Beach has undertaken, as executive oflicer of the park, to expend the money granted by Congress at the last 10 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. session to open np such thoroughfares as will permit the public to appreciate in a measure the beautiful possibilities of this reservation. These roads, following what seems to be the natural courses, will doubtless fit well into any scheme of landscape work which may later be undertaken after expert consideration. They will enable members of Congress to inspect the park and so to legislate intelligently upon its needs. They will grant a larger degree of public use, and will thus enable the peo- ple to judge as to the rare value of this investment. It is, of course, to be expected that in all the projects connected with this park due consideration will be accorded to its peculiar character as a natural landscape and that the most skillful assistance will l)e invoked in the preparation of the ultimate plans for its development. When properly opened to the public use and preserved from disfiguring constructions or destructions this park will soon become renowned as one of the finest reservations attached to an J' city in the world." This committee again invites your attention to the needs of a park in Georgetown, and again urges that the Boyce tract, "Clifton," and "Normanstone" be purchased. These grounds, comprising about 70 acres, should form a park and be connected with driveways and made a part of a system of parks west of Rock Creek. Another matter that we desire to call attention to is the conspicuous absence of parks and reservations directly north of the city. It is the hope of this committee that favora) )le action will be had on the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted T)y the committee with a view of saving what is possible of grounds and trees on and near Fourteenth street: ' ^ Tiesolred , As the sense of this committee that Congress should make provision so far as practicable in the so-called misfit subdivisions north of the city for parks and reservations to correspond in number and area with those in the city proper." Your committee is of the opinion that the time has arrived for the adoption of some uniform plan for the acquiring, developing, caring for, and systematically improving the parks in the District of Columbia. The chairman of the Senate Committee for the District has in course of ])reparation a bill for the creation of a park commission, whose duty it shall be to look into the wants of the entire District in the matter of the location of new parks as well as the improvement of those already existing. AYe are in most hearty sympathy with the spirit of C(j1. Theodore A. Bingham's report, in which he says: "The hard lot of the toiling masses, crowded together in cities and prevented by the struggle for life from improving their surroundings, has appealed to the growing kindliness of those more fortunate. * * * Hence the opening of the twentieth century is marked by a strong movement to introduce into crowded city life a little touch of the outside country. Yaluable properties have l)een bought in large cities and turned into parks. * * * Y^hile, however, the i:)ark lands of Washington have been kept and slightly added to during the last fifty years, Congress has not seen fit to develop by appropriation for improvements the latent possibilities of the park system in Washington. * * * Ys'ith the close of one century and the open- ing before us as the leading nation in the progress of humanity, it is not only my duty, but it also seems a fitting time, to call the particular attention of Congress to the needs of a greater liberality in developing and beautifying the parks of our capital city." We connnend the recommendations of Colonel Bingham tu your favorable consid- eration, and especially the portions wliich treat of the Potomac and Anacostia flats and the Botanic Garden. The committee connnends the effort that is being made to save old Fort Stevens, near Brightwood, and the fortification line to Rock Creek Park as a battlefield park. Here was fought, July 11 and 12, 1864, the only Ijattle that ever took place in the District of Columbia, President Lincoln being in the front at the time, encouraging the Union Army to deeds of valor. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 11 In his annual report of November, 1900, President John Joy Edson said: With a policy defined "to develop on broad, artistic, practical lines the park sj'S- tem of the District of Columbia," the committee on. parks and reservations has been constantl}' working, during the past j'ear, M'ith good progress. It submits a valuable report for the information and guidance of the board of trade. The committee, as heretofore, and in accordance with resolutions heretofore adopted, deemed it proper to imj^ress upon the board of trade " that the preservation of the parks should be the constant care of every citizen of the District who may be called to any public station, and especially should this committee (for the board of trade) see to it that these parks and reservations be not diverted to any private purpose whatever." After a full investigation into the proposition for the extension of the park system along Rock Creek Valley, it recommends the continuation of the national park sys- tem along Rock Creek from the Zoological Park south to Penns3'lvania avenue and Twenty-seventh street, and suitably improving the latter street, to make it a desir- able and pleasant driveway between the Rock Creek and Potomac parks. It also indorses the proposition to extend the park west of Rock Creek by the purchase of what is now known as the Boyce tract, leading up to U or Road streets, which would make a natural entrance to the park from West Washington. For this purpose the condemnation and purchase of 31 acres of land would be required, at a cost of about $180,000. Messrs. H. P. and Thomas E. Waggaman have generously offered to (huiate about 7 acres of Woodley Park as an entrance to the Zoological Park. Rock Creek at present, between Washington and West Washington, is allowed to be a dumping ground, and the stream is polluted by sewage. Parking, terracing, and driveways would, of course, eliminate these unhealthy and unsightly features. IMPROVEMENTS PROVIDED FOR. As a step toward effecting these improvements in the park system it is gratifying to state that there was inserted in the sundry civil bill at the last session of Congress an item providing that — "The Chief of Engineers of the United States Army is authorized to make an examination and to report to Congress on the first Monday in December, 1900, plans for the treatment of that section of the District of Columbia situated south of Pennsyl- vania avenue and north of B street southwest, and for a suitable connection l)etween the Potomac and the Zoological parks, and in making such examinations and plans he is authorized to employ a landscape architect of conspicuous ability in liis pro- fession. For services and expenses incident to said examination and report the sum of $4,000 is hereb)' appropriated." Under this appropriation plans are l^eing prepared and estimates made b}' the Chief Engineer of tlie United States Army, and will be submitted to Congress at the next session, both in respect to the Rock Creek Park and tlie treatment of the sec- tion south of Pennsylvania avenue between Third and Fifteenth streets. It is esti- mated that the cost of purchasing the ground south of the Avenue would be $5,929,997. The improvements made in Rock Creek Park, with the limited means at the dis- posal of tlie Engineer Commissioner, have been judiciously made, securing a beauti- ful driveway from the Military road along Rock Creek to the District line, and another road is in process of construction. It is to be regretted that Congress has failed to make Ijetter provision for the improvement of this beautiful park to put it in a condition to be enjoyed by the public. Several times the amount appropriated last year would be nearer what is right and proper, and it is lioped that Congress will be more liberal next year. The c(jmmittee indorses the recommendation of the Commissioners of $50,000. 12 PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. One of the mo.st important roads leading to Rock Creek from the east is an avenue 120 feet wide. This avenue is a valuable and splendid donation made by Mr. Thomas Blagden, Avho, I am proud to say, is a member of the board of trade. NORTH OF FLORIDA AVEXUE. No steps have been taken or provisions made for providing parks for that portion of the city north of Florida avenue, which is so rapidly being built up. It is highly important, if parks are ever to be provided, to do it now before the ground becomes so valuable as to render it impracticable. FORT STEVENS RESERVATION. The committee recommended the establishment of a battlefield park at Fort Stevens, which is located near the national cemetery on Brightwood avenue. Here the capital was successfully defended on July 11 and 12, 1864, against capture by General Early's army, and here stood Abraham Lincoln under fire during that important battle. The Union Veteran Union has taken a patriotic interest in the proposition and has earnestly given it its indorsement. The first time that this idea was advanced, in respect to Fort Stevens, was as far back as 1867, and it was felt that earnest effort should now be made to accomplish the purchase of ground necessary without further delay. Other historical battlefields and forts of the civil war in the District of Columbia could be similarly utilized to great advantage in the way of securing beautiful national parks, not only to be enjoyed by the people, but instructive in history. Consider- able interest, the committee reports, has been aroused by the proposition for adojit- ing a uniform system of naming and labeling the trees and plants about the city, which was brought to the attention of the board of trade, and resolutions were adopted indorsing such a course. The committee feels encouraged from conferences with the honorable Secretary of Agriculture that he will have the trees in the Depart- ment grounds j^roperly marked at an early date, and hope is also expressed that the District Commissioners and officers in charge of the public grounds will follresent and took part in the discussion. At the request of Senator iMc^NIillan, chairman of the Senate District Committee, estimates were obtained, showing the quantity and value of ground required for extending the Rock Creek Park system as far south as Road street, includ- ing Boyce tract, the natural beginning of the system in Georgetown. Maps were prepared by Capt. H. B. Looker, surveyor of the District, showing the proposed lines of the extension. The ground required for the park north of U street was as follows: Judson heirs, 13 acres; Barnard heirs, 5 acres; J. W. Thompson, 10 acres; C. C. Glover, 3 acres; total, 31 acres. In addition to this, Messrs. H. P. and T. E. Waggaman offered to donate about 300,000 feet of ground north of Woodley road as an entrance to Zoological Park. Mr. C. C. Glover, the early champion of Rock Creek Park, offered his holdings at what they actually cost him some years ago. The total cost of the 31 acres was esti- mated at about $180,000. A i)etition signed by 750 leading citizens and also one signed by most of the physicians of the District, obtained V)y Col. W. L. Bramhall, were left with the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia. The proposition contained in these petitions was to prevent the bank of Rock Creek within the city from being made a dumping ground and to prevent the pollu- tion of the stream, by connecting all lateral sewers with the trunk sewer, taking the gromid for a park, improving it by terraces and driveways. 14 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. CONXECTION BETWEEN POTOMAC AND ZOOLOGICAL PARKS. By the united and cooperative efforts of this committee and the national capital centennial committee, Senator James McMillan, chairman of the Senate District Committee, was able to obtain recognition for at least the principle for which we contended, by the insertion of the following item in the sundry civil act: "The Chief of Engineers of the United States Army is authorized to make an examination, and to report to Congress on the first Monday in December, 1900, plans for the treatment of that section of the District of Columbia situated south of Pennsylvania avenue and north of B street southwest, and for a suitable connection between the Potomac and the Zoological parks, and in making such examinations and plans he is authorized to employ a landscape architect of conspicuous ability in his profession; for services and expenses incident to said examination and report, the sum of $4,000 is hereby appropriated." The committee desires to publicly express its thanks to Senator McMillan, and to Mr. Charles Moore, the efficient secretary of the Senate District Committee, for the interest they have manifested in the suggestions made before that committee. We also desire to express our grateful appreciation to the citizens' committee on the national capital centennial for the untiring efforts of its members in getting legisla- tion to unite the disjointed jmrks, the Mall, Potomac, Zoological, and Rock Creek parks, into one comprehensive scheme. As a part of the general system, the committee took every occasion to point out the necessity of the Government's taking the property on the south side of Pennsyl- vania avenue, between the Treasury and the Capitol, and Ijetween the avenue and the Mall, on which to erect future public ])uildings, the valuation of ground and imi^rovements thereon being estimated by the District Commissioners at $5,929,997. The work of preparing the plans connecting Potomac Park and Zoological Park, it is understood, is in progress, in connection with the treatment of the south side of the Avenue, and this committee feels that Gen. John 'SI. Wilson, the Chief of En- gineers, and Col. T. A. Bingham, superintendent of public buildings and grounds, will submit plans to Congress, on the lines approved by the chairman of the Senate District Committee, which will be satisfactory to the citizens of the District and of the United States. ROCK CREEK PARK. At a meeting of the board of trade March 28 last the following resolution was adoYAed: "Resolved, That the board of trade respectfully and earnestly urges the Senate Appropriations Committee to insert the itejn of $30,000 for care and improvement of Rock Creek Park, estimated for by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia and which was not reported by the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives. ' ' Fifteen thou&and dollars, one-half of the amount asked, was appropriated by Con- gress, and with it Captain Beach, District Engineer Commissioner, has continued the work of grading, regulating, and macadamizing the driveway along Rock Creek, as mentioned in our last report. This driveway has been extended from IMilitary road along the creek to the District line, and a new road is being constructed to reach the higher level road near Broad Branch. This will be a great advantage to the public, now leai'ning to drive in Rock Creek Park. One of the most important roads leading to Rock Creek Park from the east will be Blagden avenue, which extends along the valley south of the present Blagden Mill road in a northeasterly direction for a distance of nearly a mile. This avenue, which is 120 feet wide, was donated to the District by Mr. Thomas Blagden, one of our public-spirited citizens, and when open it will have a grade of about 2 per cent, and PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 15 will make it possible to abandon the old and dangerous Argyle Will road. The open- ing of Sixteenth street, proceedings for which have already been instituted by the Commissioners, will be of incalculable advantage in developing Rock Creek Park. The committee commends the action of the Commissioners and the board of control for securing legislation for the exchange of ground near the Brightwood reservoir, giving an increased park frontage on Sixteenth street. The opening of Genesee street from Brightwood avenue to Piney Branch road, in connection with Illinois avenue and Blagden avenue, will make a most desirable driveway from Rock Creek Park to the Soldiers' Home grounds. The committee recommends that the estimates of the District Commissioners for $50,000 to be expended during the coming year in Rock Creek Park toward making it accessible to the public, for whom it was created, be indorsed by the board of trade. PARK NORTH OF FLORIDA AVENUE. Attention is again called to the fact that there are no parks in ihat beautiful por- tion of new Washington north of Florida avenue, for which an effort should be made by all the citizens, especially for that part of the District, before all the indigenous trees are leveled and the available ground is disposed of for building sites. FORT STEVENS PARK. (PlatNo. 1.) The committee is pleased to note the interest being shown all over the country in the establishment of a battlefield park at Fort Stevens, to which reference was made in the report of last year. The Associated Survivors of the Sixth Army Corps have indorsed the plan, as have other military organizations. A recent indorsement was that of the Union Veterans' Union, representing over 100,000 soldiers of the civil war, in the following resolution: "Whereas memorial exercises held at Battle-Ground National Cemetery on May 30, and the raising of the American flag at old Fort Stevens on 'Flag Day,' June 14, 1900, by the daughter of the Sixth Army Corps (Mrs. Rosa Wright Smith), has tended to call attention to the fact that it was the gallant action of the Union forces on this field on July 11 and 12, 1864, that saved the caj^ital of our country from cap- ture by the enemy; and "Whereas it was on the parapet of Fort Stevens that Abraham Lincoln, the mar- tyred President, stood under fire and sustained by his presence the efforts of the Union troops: Therefore, be it ^'Resolved, That the Union Veterans' Union petition the Congress of the United States to appropriate a sufficient sum of money to purchase Fort Stevens and mark the only battlefield in the District of Columbia, as it has patriotically done elsewhere. '^Resolved further, Thata copy of these resolutions, duly authenticated, be forwarded to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives, and that the members of the Union Veterans' Union, individually, urge their Senators and Representatives to support any patriotic measure looking to the acquiring and marking of this historic fort." The Evening Star of October 3, 1900, editorially indorsed this resolution as follows: "The action of the Union Veterans' Union in indorsing the proposition that the Government secure control of the site of old Fort Stevens ought to be of material aid in fostering this enterprise. At that jjoint was fought an engagement of historic note during the civil war. There fell the onh' men who lost their lives defending the city from immediate assault. Of all the defenses that encircled Washington during the rebellion. Fort Stevens bears a peculiar significance on this account. Its preservation would be directly in line, too, Avith the scheme to surround the city with a driveway which will include all the military sites, thus affording opportunity to the tourist for an historical tour of the environs. With Fort Stevens preserved as 16 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. a nucleus for this boulevard or drive, it would be the easier to secure favorable action 'by Congress toward the consummation of the jjlans prepared and earnestly advocated by Engineer Commissioner Powell during his term of office. ' ' The acquiring of Fort Stevens for a park was mentioned as far back as in 1867, and the committee feels that the time has come for a united effort to secure this historic site. Other portions of ground on which still stand the grim reminders of the civil war will then likely also be obtained, and by connecting one with the other and with the Soldiers' Home grounds and Anacostia Park, in connection with the Mall, Potomac, Zoological, Rock Creek parks, and Arlington, Washington will be surrounded by a system of the most beautiful natural parks in the world; and marking the only battle- field of the civil war in the District of Columbia and the point where the gallant Joshua Barney and his brave men opposed the British on August 24, 1814, would be of great historic interest to all Americans. ANACOSTIA PARK. The subject of the improvement of Anacostia River and the reclamation of the health-destroying marshes has been before Congress for many years. Numerous surveys have been made, but as the expense is considerable, it has thus far failed to take hold of this important improvement seriously. It is hoped that this matter will receive the attention it deserves, and that this uninviting river with its mias- matic swamps, whose baneful influence is so seriously felt by a large portion of the citizens of Washington, troops at the barracks, employees at the navy-yard, inmates of St. Elizabeth's Asylum, and those in other public institutions located in that region, will be improved as reported on by Lieut. Col. C. J. Allen, U. S. A., and recommended by General Wilson in 1898. naming; and labeling trees and plants. Through the efforts of Mr. Albert M. Read, a member of the committee, consider- able interest has lieen aroused in the proposition of adopting some uniform system of naming and labeling the trees and plants throughout the city. This matter was brought to the attention of the board of trade in the following resolutions: "Whereas the honorable Secretary of Agriculture has, in his annual report, called the attention of Congress to the importance to the Department of Agriculture of an arboretum, in which can be brought together for study all the trees that Avill grow in the climate of Washington, and suggested that the area known as the 'Mall' be set aside for that purpose: Therefore, be it "Eesolved, That, recognizing the great benefits that would accrue to the scientific and educational interests of our country and its capital by the i^lanting of such an arboretum as is contemplated, the board of trade, in public meeting assembled, approves the project. "Be it further resolved, That the committee on parks and reservations of this board is hereby instructed to earnestly cooperate with the Department of Agriculture in securing the establishment of this important public improvement in such park or parks in the District of Columbia as may be decided upon as most suitable for the purpose. ' ' Considerable correspondence has been had with the Hon. James Wilson, Secre- tary of Agriculture, and Mr. F. Y. Coville, botanist of the Department, and there is little doubt but that the Secretary will have the trees in the Department grounds marked within a short time. There is also great hope that the District Commissioners and the officer in charge of public buildings and grounds will place suitable marks designating the trees in the different squares. PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 17 On December 14 of la.st year the board of trade unanimously adopted the following resolutions: Whereas it has long been manifest that a comprehensive and symmetric i:)lan of treatment for the parks and reservations, pubhc-building sites, and bridges of the District could no longer be deferred without detriment to the original designs of President Washington and his associates; and Whereas at the dawn of the new century it has been clearly demonstrated that love of country included love for the country's capital; and Whereas we believe that no sentiment is more ardent or more universal than that of pride in the "permanent seat of the Government" of the United States: Therefore, Resolved, That the Washington Board of Trade earnestly recommend to both Houses of Congress that an appropriate legislative act be passed at the earliest practicable date to authorize the President to appoint a commission of three or five building and landscape architects, each eminent and experienced in his profession, whose duty it shall be to devise and report to Congress suitable and adequate plans for the development of the capital city, in subordination to the plan of its founders, and yet sufficientl}' expanded in dimensions to typify a century's growth of the Republic. I also make a part of this communication Senate bill No. 6065, intro- duced by Mr. Proctor at the last session of Congress, to mark the only battlefield in the District of Columbia. A BILL to establish a national military park at the battlefield of Fort Steve-^s, in the District of Columbia. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rejjresentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That for the purpose of preserving and suitably marking for historical and professional military study the only battlefield in the District of Columbia, known as Fort Stevens, where the advance line of Confederate troops, mider General Jubal A. Early, met the improvised Union forces — then the sole defense of Washington — under General A. ]\IcD. McCook, and stoutly resisted until they could not longer contend favorably with the enemy's line, thits rendering it neces- sary that they should be "ordered to fall back slowly, fighting until they reached the rifle pits," where they met a detachment of the Veteran Sixth Army Corps, com- manded by General H. G. Wright, whose timely arrival on this battlefield, on the memorable day of July eleventh, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, saved, at a cost of many noble lives, the national capital from capture; and to render historic and patriotic the location where Abraham Lincoln, then President of the United States, stood and witnessed said battle, the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed to acquire, under the provision of the act approved February twenty-second, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, entitled "An act to establish and protect national cemeteries," or under the act approved August first, eighteen hundred and eighty- eight, entitled "An act to authorize condemnation of land for sites of pul^lic build- ings, and for other purposes," all that parcel of land situated near Brightwood, in the District of Columbia, and particularly described as follows: Beginning at the point A, on the plat hereto attached, at the junction of the west line of Brightwood avenue and the north line of the public school lot immediately north of Brightwood; thence northerly with the west side of Brightwood avenue, four hundred and forty feet, more or less, to the easterly projection of the center line of that street of the highway-extension plan, running east and west, and whose east- ward projection runs next north of old Fort Stevens parapet; thence with the east- ern projection of said center line aforesaid, and with the said center line itself, due west nine hundred feet, more or less, to a point three hundred and twenty feet west p 1—03 2 18 PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. of the west line of Thirteenth street extended; thence due south seven hundred and ninety feet, more or less, to the north line of the Rock Creek Ford road; thence along the north line of said road southeasterly one hundred feet; thence due north sixty-eight feet, more or less, to the center of the second street of the highway-exten- sion plans lying south of the first-mentioned street of said plans; thence with the center line of said street and from the point sixty-eight feet, more or less, from Eock Creek Ford road southeasterly two hundred and sixty-five feet, more or less, to inter- sect the center line of the due east and west portion of said last-mentioned street; thence with said center line due east two hundred and thirty feet, more or less, to the west side of the old Piney Branch road; thence with the west side of said road northerly four hundred feet, more or less, to the projection of the north line of the public school property aforementioned; thence with said north line southeasterly two hundred and forty feet, more or less, to the beginning, containing fourteen acres, more or less, and being the same parcel colored green and inclosed Ijy the lines A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, A, on plat hereto attached, together with that square of the high- waj'^-extension plans lying east of Brightwood avenue, and being the fourth square east of said avenue and bounded on the south by the second of the east and west streets of said i^lans north of the junction of roads at Brightwood, containing five acres, more or less, and also together with that block of the highway-extension plans inclosing old Fort Totten, containing four and one-half acres, more or less; all three parcels above described being selected on such topograi:)hical plan as to include the most important strategic points in the chain of defenses on the north of Washington, extending from Fort Reno on the west to Fort Totten on the east, this line being in actual use during the engagement of July eleventh and twelfth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, the total area of the three parcels being twenty-three and one-half acres, more or less, and npon the report of the Attorney-General of the United States that a perfect title has been secured under the provisions of the aforesaid acts, the said lands and roads are hereby declared to be a national park, to be known as the Fort Stevens Lincoln National Park. Sec. 2. That the said Fort Stevens Lincoln National Park shall be under the con- trol of the Secretary of War, and it shall be his duty, immediately after the passage of this act, to notify the Attorney-General of the purpose of the United States to acquire title to the lands and roads described in the previous section of this act under the prov'^'ions of the aforesaid acts; and the said Secretary, upon receiving notice from the Attorney-General of the LTnited States that perfect titles have been secured to the said lands and roads, shall at once proceed to establish and substantially mark the boundaries of the said park. Sec. 3. That the affairs of the Fort Stevens Lincoln National Park shall, subject to the supervision and direction of the Secretary of War, be in charge of three commis- sioners, one of whom shall have been an officer of the Army on duty in the War Department at the time of the battle, and the other two shall be officers ^\■ho shall have actually participated in the battle of Fort Stevens, all three to l^e appointed by the Secretary of War; and, in addition, there shall be detailed by the Secretary of War from among those officers best acquainted with the details of the battle of Fort Stevens one who shall act as secretary of the commission. The said commissioners and secretary shall have an office in the War Department building, and while on actual duty shall be paid such compensation out of the appropriation provided in this act as the Secretary of AVar shall deem reasonable and just. Sec. 4. That it shall be the duty of the commissioners named in the preceding section, under the direction of the Secretary of War, to superintend the opening of such roads as may be necessary to the purposes of the park and the repair of the roads of the same, and to ascertain and definitely mark the lines of battle of all troops engaged in the battle of Fort Stevens and points of historic interest connected with the fortification or defenses of the national capital during the civil war, so fai PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 19 as the same shall fall within the lines of the park as defined in the previous section of this act, or so far as said lines of battle or points of historic interest may be located upon any park, reservation, street or public highway, or other land now belonging to, or hereafter to be acquired by, the United States or the District of Columbia and situated within the District of Columbia; and, for the purpose of assisting the said commissioners in their duty and in ascertaining these lines and points of historic interest, the Secretary of War shall have authority to employ, at such compensation as he ma}' deem reasonable and just, to be paid out of the appropriation made by this act, some person recognized as well informed in regard to the details of the battle of Fort Stevens, and who shall have actually participated in said battle, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War, from and after the passage of this act, through the commissioners and their assistant in historical work, and under the pro- visions of the aforesaid acts regulating the condemnation of land for pu1)lic uses, to proceed with the preliminary work of establishing the park and its approaches as the same are defined in this act, and the expenses thus incurred shall be paid out of the appropriation provided by this act. Sec. 5. That it shall be the duty of the conmiissioners, acting under the direction of the Secretary of War, to ascertain and substantially mark the locations of the reg- ular troops, both infantry, cavalry, and artillery, within the boundaries of the park, and also the location where President Lincoln stood during the battle, and to erect monuments upon these positions as Congress may provide in the necessary appropri- ations; and the Secretary of War in the same way may ascertain and mark the lines of battle within the boundaries of the park and erect plain and substantial historical tablets at such points in the vicinity of the park and its approaches as he may deem fitting and necessary to clearly designate the positions and movements which, although without the limits of the j^ark, were directly connected with the battle of Fort Stevens. Sec. 6. That it shall be lawful for the authorities of any State having troops engaged in the battle of Fort Stevens to enter upon the lands and approaches of the Fort Stevens Lincoln National Park for the purpose of ascertaining and marking the lines of battle of troops engaged therein: Provided, That before any such lines are perma- nently designated the positions of the lines and the projiosed methods of marking them, by monuments, tablets, or otherwise, shall be submitted to the Secretary of War and shall first receive the written approval of the Secretary, which approval shall be based upon formal written reports, which must be made to him in each case by the commissioners of the park. Sec. 7. That the Secretary of War, subject to the approval of the President of the United States, shall have the power to make and shall make all needed regulations for the care of the park and for the establishment and marking of the lines of battle and other historical features of the park. Sec. 8. That if any person shall willfully destroy, nmtilate, deface, injure, or remove any monument, columns, statues, memorial structures, or work of art that shall be erected or placed upon the grounds of the park by lawful authority, or shall willfully destroy or remove any fence, railing, inclosure, or other work for the protection or ornament of said park, or any portion thereof, or shall willfully destroy, cut down, hack, bark, break down, or otherwise injure any tree, bush, or shrubbery that may be growing upon said joark, or shall cut down, fell, or remove any timber, battle relic, tree, or trees growing or being upon such park, except by permission of the Secretary of War, or shall willfully remove or destroy any breastwork, earthwork, walls, or other defenses or shelter, or any part thereof, constructed by the troops formerly engaged in the battle of Fort Stevens, or the approa(;hes to the park under the authority of the Secretary of War, any person so offending or found guilty thereof by the police court of the District of Columbia shall, for each and every such offense, forfeit and pay a fine, in the discretion of the judge, in accordance with the aggrava- 20 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. tion of the offense, of not less than five nor more than fifty dollars, one half to the use of the park and the other half to the informer, to be enforced and recovered before said court in like manner aa other offenses committed against the United States. Sec. 9. That to enable the Secretary of War to begin to carry out the purpose of this act, including the condemnation and purchase of the necessary land, marking the boundaries of the park, opening or repairing necessary roads, making maps and surveys, and the pay and expenses of the commissioners and their assistants, the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars, or such portion thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise approi^riated, and disbursements under this act shall require the approval of the Secretary of War, and he shall make annual report of the same to Congress. The United States or the District of Columbia already have holdings covering one-half of the Federal line between Fort Reno and Fort Totten, to wit: (1) Fort Reno, now a reservoir; (2) a school lot near Connecticut avenue extended, in which the old earthworks still stand; (3) Rock Creek Park, containing Fort De Russy, Battery Kingsbury, a couple of batteries near the creek, and several hundred yards of rifle pits, all in good preservation; (4) Battle-Ground National Cemetery, near Brightwood, where are buried 40 Union soldiers killed in battle at and near the site of the cemetery, as follows: ROLL OF HONOR. The following c-omrades, killed in action on July 11 and 12, 1864, are buried in Battle-Ground Cemetery: Regiment. Sergt. Thomas Richardson Sergt. Alfred C. Starbird I Elijah S. Hufletin VTwenty-flf th New York Cavalry. Jeremiah Maloney William Tray J E. C. Barrett | Fortieth New York Infantry. E. S. Bavett 1 John Davidson Mathew J. De Grafif ^Forty-third New York Infantry. G. W. Farrar Mark Stoneham j Wm. H. Gillette Forty-ninth New York Infantry. Corpl. A. Matott ] Corpl. William Ruhle : Andrew J. Dowen i [-Seventy -seventh New York Infantry. Andrew Manning Alvarado Mowrey John Bentley Harvey I". B. Chandler Daniel L. Hogeboon Alanson Mosier John Renia Lioit. William Laughlin Andrew Ashbaugh Philip Bowen John Ellis George Garvin H. INIcIntire William Holtzman Sergt. Gei irge Marciuet Bernard Horrle Charles Seahiiuse Frederick Waltlier Sergt. John M. Richards John Dolan Patrick Lovett John Pockett Corpl. George VV. Gorton Russell L. Stevens C. S. Christ ^One hundred and twenty-second New York Infantry. Isixty-first Pennsylvania Infantry. Ninetv-third Pennsvlvania Infantry. Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry. One hundred and thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry. Second Massachusetts Cavalry. Thirty-seventh Massachusetts" Infantry. Seventh Maine Infaulry. First Rhode Island Cavalry. Third Vermont Infantry. Second United States Artillery. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 21 The plan proposed i« to acquire about 23 acres of ground, to include (1) old Fort Stevens, where Lincoln was under fire; (2) a square of wooded ground east of Brightwood avenue, where a portion of the First Ohio Batter}^ was stationed, and (3) Fort Totten, the right of the Federal line in the engagements that took place in July, 1864, when General Earl}" came so near capturing Washington. A boulevard, much like that suggested by Major Powell a few years ago, can easil}' be made on natural and proper topographical lines between the points mentioned, passing through a countr}^ the most interesting historically and beautiful beyond compare and covering the entire line of battle. This boulevard should be extended to the Anacostia River, where Joshua Barney planted his guns in 1811: and for a time held the British in check in their campaign against Washington. I respectfully suggest that it might be well to ask Mr. John Jo}^ Edson, president, and Mr. Theodore W. Noj^es, ex-president of the board of trade; the members of the board's committee on parks and reservations; Capt. Henry B. Looker, surveyor of the District; Mr. W. P. Richards, of the District engineer office, and Gen. Thomas M. Vincent, president of the Fort Stevens-Lincoln Battlefield Park Asso- ciation, to appear before your committee. In this connection I respectfully call attention to the report on the National Capital Centennial. I take this opportunity to again thank you and Dr. Moore for your great interest in the development not only of the District but of its park system commensurate with the needs of the capital of the nation. I am, sir, yours, verv respectfully W. V. Cox. Hon. James McMillan, ('Jul) Tin a 11^ etc.^ United States Senate, Wasldngton City. (Four maps inclosed.) SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS. NO. 2. ACTION TOWARD THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ARBORETUM. Makch 28, 1901. — Printed for the use of the committee. AVashington, March ^^, 1901. Hon. James McMillan, Chairman of Committee on the District of Columhia, United States Senate^ Washington, D. 6*. Dear Sir: In the fear that the matter has not suggested itsell I take the liberty of calling yowx attention and, through 3^^011, the atten- tion of the subcommittee of the committee of the Senate on the District of Columbia having under consideration the parking system of the District to a matter in connection with the parks that might, if prop- erly worked out, prove of considerable importance to the people not only of this District but of the whole countiy. I refer to the S3"stem- atic planting of the parks, when laid out, with such trees and shrubs, from all parts of the world, as will thrive in this climate, and the proper labeling of them when planted. This matter has been brought forward, as you are probabl}" aware, for the consideration of Congress a number of times in the past century, the latest effort being that of the honorable Secretary of Agriculture, who, in his annual report for 1899, pages 63 and 64, recommended the establishment of an arboretum containing useful trees, such as those producing fruits, d3^es, nuts, oils, and tans, and those useful for ornamental purposes and for shade, shelter, and fuel in arid regions, from all parts of the world, for the use of that Department on the Mall, in this city. Shortly after the publication of this report the matter was brought to my attention 1>y Mr. Frederick V. Coville, botanist of the Depart- ment of Agriculture, with a view to having the matter laid before the Washington Board of Trade for its indorsement. L hand you here- with copy of the letter of Mr. Coville, the extract from the annual report of the honorable Secretary of Agriculture, and such corre- 23 24 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. spondence between myself, ai-ting for the Washington Board of Trade, and the officials of the Department of Agriculture, a copy of the reso- lutions of the board of trade indorsing the project, and a copy of an article on the general subject, written by myself, in regard to the mat- ter, that appeared in the Evening Star of December 16, 1899, all of which I hope will not be found too voluminous for j^our perusal. The matter of labeling the trees and shrubs now in the parks and reservations has been allowed to slumber until the Department of Agriculture could see its way clear to the marking of the trees and shrubs in its own grounds with their correct common and botanical names, habitat, etc., in order that the work might be begun under proper supervision and in a scientific manner. This, I am assured, will soon be accomplished, and when done will, we are in hopes, serve as a nucleus for the greater tree garden desired, as well as an argu- ment for the extension of the work to all of our parks and reservations. Should the systematic planting of the riverside parks, the lower parts of the Arlington estate, lately turned over to the use of the Agricultural Department, and all the lands not wooded that may be taken into the park system of the District be decided upon in advance by competent authority, it would appear that with but slight changes in the parks already planted a magnificent arboretum, containing all of the trees and shrubs of the world that will grow in this climate, might be formed at comparatively small expense. This could all, I feel sure, be accomplished without sacrificing in an}" way whatever perspective, picturesqueness, or beauty, so essential to the success of any parking system. The Department of Agriculture has every facil- ity at hand for the gathering together of the necessary plants from this and foreign countries for the purpose, and the expert knowledge to plant, care for, and name them when obtained. If this matter could be taken up and decided upon in advance, the trees and shrubs could be obtained and kept in nursery ready for use as soon as the landscape architect had the grounds laid out for their reception. Yours, sincerely, Albert M. Read, Metiihr of tJtf:- Committee on Parks and Reservations^ Washington Board of Trade. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, Deceinher 9, 1S99. ]Mr. Albert M. Read, America)! Security and Trust Convpany, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: In accordance with a siiggestion made to Col. Henry F. Blount yesterday, I take pleasure in sending you a copy of Secretar}" PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 25 Wilson's annual report, which has recently been issued. On pages 63 and 64 is his statement regarding an arboretum, which, as you will note, is made chietly from an agricultural standpoint. I believe that as an educational institution an arboretum of this sort would be enormously useful. It costs little more to grow 10 trees each of 10 different kinds of maples than to grow a hundred trees of silver maple. It w^ould cost little more to have in some one place in the Mall a complete collection of hardy Japanese trees than to grow a large mass of Noi'way maples. Educationally, however, the two plans are incomparable. Mr. Blount has told me of your interest in trees, and I trust that I shall have an opportunity before long to talk over with j^ou the matter of an arbore- tum for the District of Columbia. Very truly, 3^ours, Frederick V. Covili.e, Botmvwt. PROPOSED ARBORETUM. [From Report of Secretary ol' AKrifnilture, 1S99.] One of the needs of the Department is an arV>oretum in which can be brought together for study all the trees that will grow in the climate of Washington. The need of such an esta])lishment was felt earl}' in the history of the capital and was brought forward more than fifty 3'ears ago among the various plans proposed for the use of the Smithson bequest, which was finally devoted to the founding of the present Smithsonian Institution. In the report of the building com- mittee of that institution for 1850 the following statement occurs: Mr. Downing, the well-known writer on rural architecture, at the request of the President, is now preparing a plan for converting the whole Mall, including the Smithsonian grounds, into an extended landscape garden, to be traversed in different directions by graveled walks and carriage drives and planted with specimens, properly labeled, of all the varieties of trees and shrubs which will flourish in this climate. This admirable plan, apparently from lack of financial support from Congress, was never sj^stematically prosecuted, and the plantings at first made were so neglected that the nurse trees themselves are now being rapidly broken down and destroyed by storm, disease, and decay. When the grounds of the Department of Agriculture were laid out, in 1868, Mr. William Saunders, then, as now, horticulturist of the Depart- ment, established a small arboretum commensurate with the size of the grounds. An arboretum in this climate, however, requires an area of several hundred acres. The time has come when the economic needs of the Department and the education and pleasure of the people demand a rich collection of trees planted so as to secure the best etfects of landscape art, furnishing complete materials for the investigations of 26 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTKICT OF COLUMBIA. the Department of Ag-riciilture, and so managed as to ho. a perennial means of botanical education. We are now engaged in introducing useful trees from all parts of the world, such as those producing fruits, dyes, inits, oils, and tans, those useful for ornamental purposes, and, especially those promising shade, shelter, and fuel in the arid region. At the present time we have no central place in which to plant and maintain a series of these trees for study and propagation. The impor- tations must be sent out as fast as they are received, Ayithout any opportunity for our investigators to make any observations on their behavior under cultivation, and in the case of small and valualile importations subjecting the whole stock to the possibilit}" of total loss. In view of these conditions, I wish to bring to the attention of Con- gress the importance of placing at the disposal of this Department an area of suitable size and situation for a comprehensive arboretum. In order to give a specific basis for consideration of this project, I sugg'est that the area known as the Mall be set aside for this purpose. December 13, 1899. Mr. Frederick K. Coville, Botanist, Department of Agricidtiire . Mt Dear Mr. Coville: Your favor of the 9th instant, together with a copy of Secretar}^ Wilson's annual report, referred to therein, reached me in due course of mail. I have read with a great deal of interest the recommendation of Secretary Wilson in regard to the establishment of an arboretum on the Mall, as well as what you saj^ in regard to the educational value of such an institution. I think I can safely assure you that the committee on parks and reservations of the board of trade of this city will do everything in its power to forward the proposed improvement of the Mall. I think it goes without say- ing that every citizen of the District would, if rightly approached, aid the subject. Is it not, however, true that you have in existence at the present time in the tract of land embraced in what is called the Mall as good, if not a better, variety of trees, especiall}" of a deciduous character, than many of the arboreta of sister cities, lacking only one element, that of a tongue to make them known to the people 'i Please allow me to suggest that the very best argument to the Congress of the-United States in favor of the thing that Secretary Wilson wishes to bring- about would be the labeling of such trees and shrubs as are already planted and in fine growing condition in the Department grounds or elsewhere in the Mall if the Secretary has sufficient authority therefor. This, with the force he has in hand, should cost but a small sum, and would, I think, place the Department in ti strong position before the Congressional committees. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 27 In case the matter gets into legislation, as I have no doubt it will if we all work together for that end, would it not be better to provide that the projected arboretum be extended to the reclaimed flats of the Potomac, or at least its planting be given directly to j^our Department? I should be ver}^ glad to call on you at the Department at any time 3^ou may designate oi' to have you call upon me at my office at your pleasure, when we can talk over the matter and arrange plan of cam- paign, if, after conference, it is thought desirable. Yours, trulj% Albert M. Read, General Manager. January 24, 1900. Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture., Washington., I). C Dear Sir: I hand you herewith a cop}^ certifying to the action of the board of trade, at its regular meeting on the 19th instant, on your recommendation to Congress for the establishment of an arhoretum, in which can be brought together for stud}" all the trees that will grow in the climate of Washington. You will see by the resolution that the board of trade is heartilj^ in accord with 3^our recommendation, and that it has instructed its com- mittee on parks and reservations to earnestly cooperate with your Department in the establishment of this important public improve- ment. In carrying out this direction of the board the committee on parks and reservations has turned the matter over to me, as a sub- committee, to And out your wishes in regard to the matter and to make such arrangements for the furtherance of the project as will be agreeable to you. I have therefore the honor to hold myself in readi- ness, at an}" time or place that you may suggest, to take this matter up with a representative or representatives of your Department, to the end that we may speedily arrive at some conclusion as to what is desired and how best to attain the object sought. Hoping, therefore, that the matter may be given your immediate consideration, I am. Your obedient servant, Albert M. Read, Meagher of tkmimittee on Parks and Reservations^ Washington Board of Trade. [Adopted iit a meeting of the Washington Board of Trade, held January 19, 1900.] Whereas the honorable Secretary of Agriculture has, in his annual report, called the attention of Congress to the importance to the Department of Agriculture of an arboretum, in which can be brought together for study all the trees that will grow 28 PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OP COLUMBIA. in the climate of Washington, and suggested that the area known as the " Mall" be set aside for that jjurpose: Therefore, be it Resolved, That recognizing the great benefits that would accrue to the scientific and educational interests of our country and its capital by the planting o^ such an arboretum as is contemplated, the board of trade, in public meeting assembled, approves the project. Be. it further resolved, That the committee on parks and reservations of this board is hereby instructed to earnestly cooperate with the Department of Agriculture in securing the establishment of this important public improvement in such park or parks in the District of Columbia as may be decided upon as most suitable for that purpose. United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary, Washington^ D. C. , January 29, 1900. Mr. Albert M. Read, WasJdngton, D. C. Dear Sir: I have your letter of the 24th, inclosing- cop}" of the board of trade's resolution on the subject of an arboretum in Wash- ington. I am pleased to note the board's interest in this matter, and suggest that you discuss details with Prof. F. V. Coville, Chief Bot- anist of this Department, to whom 3^our letter has been referred. Verj" truly, yours, James Wilson, Secretary. LETTER TO THE WASHINGTON EVENING STAR. Editor Evening Star: How many readers of your bright evening luminar\", do you suppose, are familiar with the names of the beauti- ful trees under whose grateful shade they walk to and fro to their daily vocation for one-half the year? How man}^ of our city residents, do you suppose, know the common or botanical name of the tree that so refreshingly shades their door- step from the fervent heat of the sun during our subtropical summers? Is it not a fact that we teach our children in the public schools a cer- tain amount of botany and then neglect to open up to them the more practical study of this science by placing before them in their daily walks the knowledge of the trees and shrul)s and tlowers so lavishl}" displayed in our streets and parks? This neglect of a very important adjunct to the education of our people was very strongly called to my attention during a recent visit to the city of New Orleans, where, observing a strange tree in the streets, I tried in vain from car con- ductor, from fire laddie sitting under its shade, and from occupants of houses on the streets which it adorned to learn its name. Worse, I think, than the ignorance of these people of the common name of this PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 29 common everyday friend was the look of astonishment that crept into their faces when the question was asked — a look that said but too plainly that the idea of a name to the tree had never even suggested itself. This, I fear, is a condition of many minds in our own community. It is the condition of mind that we so wonder at in the farmer, who, seeing birds all his life, is satisfied to think of them as birds, without taking the trouble to diflerentiate them one from the other. Is it not strange that we, who require a handle that our minds mav lay hold upon for every man, woman, and child, ever}'^ dog and horse that we love or have contact with, should remain content to designate the man}^ beautiful varieties of trees and shrubs with a general name common to all \ Does it not indicate that our minds are as a farmer's mind — with him a bird, with us a tree? A primrose by the river's brim A yellow primrose was to him, And it was nothing more. In him we wisel}^ attribute it to a lack of appreciation. Are we not, then, open to the same charge when we, through want of the proper words, are compelled to refer to flowering shrubs or trees as that bush in Iowa Circle with beautiful yellow flowers or that tree on Six- teenth street with cup-shaped blossoms \ Can we show full apprecia- tion of anything that, through our limitations of language, we are unable to converse intelligently about with our neighbors ? But there is no good reason wh}^ our trees and shrubs and flowers should be unknown to us, who own them, or to the stranger within our gates. Let us but demand of our legislators that thej" be introduced to us by neat signs, showing both the common and the botanical name, and if the demand is made rightly it will surel}^ be acceded to. The Botanic Garden does at present, in a half-hearted way, name its plants with wooden tags and stakes, and the extension of their S3^s- tem, in a whole-hearted wa}", through the Mall could be arranged with comparative!}" little cost. The Agricultural Department prints +'or the good of farmers costl}" bulletins on forestry and then neglects to give tongue to its magnificent collection of deciduous and evergreen trees. Think of that fine grove of oaks, made up of many varieties, in the west side of its grounds, growing up stately, beautiful trees, without any in the city but a few specialists able to name them. Much use to write learned dissertations on trees for the unlearned and ignore the kindergarten collection at the seat of the Government, seen of all men, where the word and the thing can be so easily brought together, ready for assimilation b}" the mind, and thus become a basic fact from which it can raise to further knowledge — further pleasures. The present condition of nameless trees and unknown plants is before long, we hope, to be replaced by a system of markings that 30 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. will put the whole cit}^ en rapport with its chiefest charm — the trees and plants that adorn its streets and parks. The committee on parks of the board of trade are taking- the matter up with vigor and are meeting- with such encouragement from the various departments in control that there appears no prospect that does not look forward toward success. Yours, truly, Albert M. Read. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS, NO. 3. THE NEED OF ADDITIONAL PLAYGROUNDS, PARKS, AND RESERVATIONS. March 27, 1901. — Printed for the use of the committee. November 23, 1901. — Reprinted with additions III, IV, and V. I. STATEMENT OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION. Washington, March 26, 1901. Gentlemen: Next in importance to the playgrounds around the public schoolhouses are the parks and reservations, the breathing plaices and resting places for the people of the city. Indeed, there is much reason to think that the j)arks hold the first place, since the little children are to get the benefits of the parks before they are old enough to attend the schools. The founders of Washington made its parking a controlling feature in their plans, and public opinion, gathering force with tlie lapse of time, has set the seal of universal approval upon it. But as the city has spread out beyond its original boundaries it is much to be regretted that a similar foresight should not have been shown in respect to park spaces and reservations in the new portions of the city. This Avas recognized 'by Congress in framing the highway extension act. Section 2 of that act i3rovided that in making maps for such extension the Commissioners were authorized " to lay out at the inter- section of the principal avenues and the streets thereof circles or otlier reservations corresponding in number and dimensions with those now existing at such intersections in the city proper." Familiar as most Washingtoniaus are with the ground plan of the city, it is proljable that only a limited few appreciate the bountiful provisions for its parks and reservations. The annual report of the superintendent of pu])lic buildings and grounds for the jqhv 1894 enables me to sa}^ that these i);irks are 301 in number, var3'ing in size from a few hundred square feet to 82 acres, and the total ai-ea coA^ered by them, is 405 acres. These are south of Florida avenue; upon the heights nortli of Florida avenue is a plateau large enough to comfortably house 200,000 31 32 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. poi3iilatioii, laid out iu streets and building lots without a single park or reservation. All the fine oak trees which nature has so lavishly supplied to that section are to be cleared away to make room for streets and buildings. This condition was during the year 1899 brought to the attention of the District Commissioners by a committee from the Columbia Heights Citizens' Association, who fortunately found those gentlemen appreciative and kindly disposed. To their active support, seconded by the board of trade, is due the incorporation of a provision in the amended bill for the highway extension act for two small parks, one at the corner of Fourteenth street and Columbia road, and the other at the corner of Whitnej^ avenue and Sheridan street. Here was a distinct and notable recognition of the needs of this sec- tion, and it gave solid ground for hope tliat both these parks might be realized. But the final repeal of all the sections of the highway act relating to the territory of which this subdivision forms a part has, of course, cari'ied along with it all hope for the enactment of these provisions relating to new parks. The instructions of Congress to the Commissioners contained in the highway act just quoted, although not necessary to fortify the posi- tions herein taken, are a significant expression of the principle that the inhabitants of Washington north of Florida avenue are justly entitled to equal park areas with those living south of that avenue. In order to ascertain by comparison what would be the equal pro- portion to be allotted to the heights north of that avenue let us take a maj) of Washington and select a mile square in any thickly settled IDortion of the city, not including any of the large parks, like the Executive, Capitol, Monument Grounds, the Mall, etc. I have taken the square mile bounded north by T street, south by H street, east by Seventh street, and west by Eighteenth street NW. Computing the area of park spaces in this tract I find it aggregates 17 acres and 24,284 square feet. This tract includes only two parks of any considerable size, to wit. Mount Vernon Square and Franklin Square, and these are by no means to be classed among the large parks. Again, taking another mile square to the eastward of the Capitol, running from F street north to G street south and from Second to Fifteenth streets, the park spaces in this tract aggregate 14 acres and 28,401 square feet. That these are not specially favored localities will appear when I state from the record that the percentage of area of reservations to the whole area of the city, exclusive of the large parks already mentioned, is officially declared to be 1.68 per cent; or, expressed in common language, these reservations, excluding the large parks, if equally distributed over the whole surface of the city, would furnish each squai-e mile lOf acres of parking. Including now the large reservations and distributing them, together with the small ones heretofore mentioned, equally over the whole 6,111 acres comprised in the city limits, and each square mile would receive 42.41 acres of park area. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 33 In this calcnlation all the new parks — Rock Creek, Potomac, and the Zoological — are exclnded. From such data alone can the merit of the claims of the people of Colnmbia Heights be determined. While it wonld he unreasonable to expect of our city fathers that they should rival the great Washington in their forecast of the future of the capital city, it surely is not too much to ask that they should note the realization of his ideals as time and labor develop them; that they should mark, for examjale, how, in spite of scant apiDropriations by Congress, the little parks, the children of his brain, have one after another in successive years stepped forth from heaps of rubbish to reenforce the claims of Washington to be accounted one of the most beautiful cities in the world. When we consider and note the ti^end of population and improve- ments toward the north and west, it is impossible to doubt that cliildren are now living who will see the center of population shifted to the north of U and west of Fourteenth street. Long before that time this j)ark question for the heights around Washington will have assumed an importance of which we little dream at this time. That the territorj^ in question, extending over a radius of a half mile from the junction of Fourteenth street and Columbia road, is soon to become densely poi:)ulated is unquestionable. The ideas of tlie first settlers in these suburbs that the}' were to be occupied by cottages set in si:)acious lawns is vanishing under the shadows of six-story apartment houses. In onl}" a few years the 40 and 50 foot streets will be diminished in apparent breadth by the encroachment of tall buildings, and then tliis lack of provision for parks will be more apparent and seem more deplorable. The repeal of the liighway act has destroyed all hope of getting small parks laid off at the intersection of streets and avenues, and now nothing remains but an effort to secure a fair equivalent in larger parks. Adequate provision for the needs of that section would require one or more parks of the size of Franklin Square, which is over 4 acres. The square at the northwest corner of Columbia road and Fourteenth street seems to be central, and peculiarly favored for tiie purpose. The oak grove at that j)oint is a remnant of the primeval forest. While it is not the only one, it is one of the largest groups of forest trees remaining on that plateau, and it represents the growth of centuries. A park of a little less than 4 acres could be made here by exteriding School street due south to Columbia road (a very desir- able thing in itself) and condemning all east of that line in square between Kenesaw avenue and Columbia road. Alternative sites might be found in the square bounded by Eleventh, Thirteenth, Dartmouth, and Whitney, or the square bounded l)y Eleventh, Thirteenth, Whitney, and Lydecker. Xeither of the two latter sites would be as large as would be desirable nor as central as p I— uy 3 34 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. the first named. They have, however, the advantage of being nnin- cumbered by any considerable buildings. Charles S. Bundy, Gilbert M. IIusted, Benj. F. Gibbs, Committee on Parks of the Columbia Heights Citizens^ Association. lions. James McMillan, Jacob II. Gallinger, and Thomas S. Martin, Subcommittee on Parks. II. statement of the washington civic center. March 23, 1901. Sir: The committee on parks and playgrounds of the Civic Center respectfully invites your attention to the desirability of having more open squares for breathing places within the city limits. This is especially desirable during the heated term in this climate, so that the babies and little children may secure the benefits of the pure oi)en air on shaded lawns. The section, for example, north of M street and between North Capitol and Twelfth streets is being rapidly built up with homes for wage-earners, and will soon be densely j)opulated, without any provision for small parks, a fact which will be painfully apparent in the course of time, and this is doubtless true of other sections. There are now many vacant squares available at a reasonal^le cost, and the fact that manj^ of our wage-earners can not afford to take their little ones to the larger and more remote parks justifies this suggestion. We are also of the opinion that similar provisions should be made for grounds and facilities for athletic exercises of the older children, since, when all the vacant lots are built up, the opportunities for healthful outdoor exercise will be very limited, and it is hoped that these suggestions may receive attention in connection with the general plan now under consideration. In conclusion, we invite attention to the lamentable insufficiency of sanitary conveniences in our parks and their total absence in our principal thoroughfares, a lack of which in a city so freely visited by strangers as the national capital compels unnecessary suffering or recourse to saloons, restaurants, and other jjublic places. Respectfully submitted. George M. Kober, CJiairvum. Emilie Young O'Brien. Elizabeth A. Hyde. Hon. James McMillan, Chairman Senate Committee- on the District of Columbia. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 35 III. STATEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES AND THE CITIZENS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION. Washington, D. C, August 19, 1001. Gentlemen: The Associated Charities and the Citizens' Relief Association, in the name of the churches, schools, societies, x^hilan- thropic organizations, and charitable individuals whom they represent, respectfully ask your commission, in formulating plans for the sys- tematic beautification of our city, to give especial consideration to its j)oorer neighborhoods. Public officials and influential people living in the finer residential portions of Washington will naturally attract your attention to those parts of the city with which they are most familiar. We trust j^ou will therefore permit us to emj)ha- size other features of the situation also, and to voice the needs of less resourceful neighborhoods which are liable to be overlooked. If our national cajjital is to be an ideal city, as the entire country must desire, it should not be behind Berlin, Paris, London, and other capital cities in the conscious effort to eliminate "slum" conditions and to improve the surroundings of its poorer as well as of its wealthier inhabitants. That municipal beautification involves con- siderations of civic ethics and of social service has been suggested since the earliest days of European cathedrals, market squares, and city halls. It has now come to be definitely ex^jressed as a working principle that nothing so ennobles and beautifies a modern city as the promotion of healthful conditions, of artistic surroundings, of educa- tional activities, and of means for recreation among the large number of citizens who are least able to obtain these communal advantages for themselves. Therefore we respectfully ask you to consider esi^ecially the eight following tox^ics. If any or all of these are either alread^^ included in your jilans or entirely beyond the scope of your inquiry, we trust 3^ou will understand that all are submitted merely as suggestions; that we would not willingly complicate or embarrass your important work in any way, but seek orAy to offer you such cooperation as may be entirely acceptable. (i) Small parks: There are small vacant areas in the southwest, southeast, and northeast sections of Washington which could be secured with comparative ease. Some already belong to the General and District governments, and are merely used for the storage of stone, sewer pipes, etc. Their use for recreation and neighborhood beauti- fication is made esj)ecially desirable by the fact that most of the houses in the detiser portions of these sections, and especially in the south- west, are small themselves, and stand in diminutive yards or have no yard space whatever. Georgetown, too, has a very i^oor section in which a park is needed, and attention should also be given to that 36' PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. portion of the northwest which extends from North Capitol to Seventh or Ninth streets. (3) Playgrounds, with sand piles, swings, gymnastic apparatus, and facilities for outdoor sports, are much more useful to a. city than are small parks alone. These j)laygrounds should have, for certain hours at least, tlie services of a trained kindergartner, gymnasium director, or other capable person who will suggest and oversee games and make the playground a means of developing good citizenship. It has been demonstrated in several cities that such plaj'grounds greatly lessen crime and the destructive mischief of boys and youths bj^ giving them an opportunity to work off their suplus energies in wholesome activities. To members of the community and to visitors these j)laygrounds, enlivened by the presence and joyous sports of children, would be more attractive, more truly beautifying to our city than bronze monuments and exclusive gardens. An ideal plan would be to combine small parks and x)laygrounds, arranging shaded walks and benches for the adults, especially for mothers and babies, with a well-equij)]3ed play yard fpr the children and young people. {3) Public scliool centers : Washington would lead in realizing an ideal which is now being advocated in many cities if our public schools could each be surrounded by such a i)ark playground as has been suggested. The schools would thus be made, appropriately, the pub- lic beautification centers of neighborhoods in which there are no monuments or public edifices to serve as central features in your designs for a beautiful cit3^ {4) Public comfort stations, or toilet rooms, such as are found on street corners or beneath street pavements and sidewalks in London, Paris, and other cities should be provided in the parks and play- grounds and also in tlie business centers of Washington. (5) Bathing beaches, or floating river bath houses, are needed in the southwest and southeast i)ortions of Washington. Under direction of 3'our commission such river frontages, with their buildings, fences, and walks would be a means of beautifying the city as well as promote ing public health and comfort. In addition to bathing beaches, or such floating river bath houses as are numerous along the River Rhine in Germany, there should be bath houses erected, for use in winter as well as summer, in the four divisions of Washington. Bathing facilities are especially needed where allej^ houses are numerous, and our colored population should be particularly considered in this, as indeed in all the suggestions of this letter. That the ijublic baths of Rome were among the important means of public beautification suggests that the erection of at least one model bath house could appropriately be urged by your commission. (6) The James Creek Canal is an open sewer, so dangerous, unwholesome, and hideous that this community has no right to inflict it upon the soutliwest portion of the city which jt now pollutes. Could PAKE SYSTEM OF THE DISTKICT OF COLUMBIA. 37 not your commission reeomjuend that this canal be covered over, and that its roof be used, together with the space of 80 or 90 feet reserved on either side as jDublic domain, as a public park or a boulevard, with grass Idiots and flower gardens in the center, upon the roof of the canal? The comprehensive plans of your commission could surely include suggestions for transforming this open-sewer nuisance into a means of public beautification. (7) The Anacostia River or "Eastern Branch" will, of course, receive your consideration. We trust your recommendation may be made to strengthen and further the work of removing unwholesome, malaria-breeding, swamp areas from its southeastern shores. The public parks, drivewaj^s, or garden areas thus created would be beau- tiful, not only in themselves, but in the consideration that their construction had removed causes of disease which yearly cripples hun- dreds of our citizens. (8) The progressive elimination of alley houses would naturally be included in any attempt to restore or fulfill the plans of Major L'Enfant. Into his design for a city of generous ^proportions, with noble residences surrounded by am^Dle spaces, there have been insin- uated an extensive system of alley houses which x^i'obably present as bad housing conditions as can be found in any city of equal size and equal density of population in this country. Thej^ constitute the saddest blot upon our national capital. All iDortions of the city are affected bj" this peculiar evil. Some of the worst alleys are located in northwest Washington, within a stone's throw of palatial mansions, magnificent churches, monuments, and the edifices of the National Government. Not only the erection of additional alley houses should be forbidden henceforth, but no reconstruction or repairs which would lengthen the existence of these places should be permitted, and the health department, the police authorities, or a special commission slioald be empowered to freely exercise the powers of condemnation and removal which are now being used in other cities to improve tenement'condi- tions. When the size of the block j)ermits, the allej^s should be made over into minor streets. An ideal remedy in the smaller blocks would be to have all inhabited alleys converted into small parks, playgi'ounds, or open spaces. Some- thing might be done toward persuading property owners or companies formed for that purpose to acquire whole blocks and convert their present alley centers into a common park playground for use by all tenants of the block. Such central sj)aces under private ownership could be made beautiful as well as healthful, convenient, exclusive areas for social recreation, and it is j)ossible that the increased values of abutting pro^Derty would compensate — at least in the better resi- dential sections — for the removal of the jDresent alley shanties. The "Riverside tenements" of Brooklyn, extending around an entire block, have thus used a central open space; have i)rovided a weeklj^ 38 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTKICT OF COLUMBIA. band concert there; also special laundry and drying rooms, bath- rooms, children's playground, grass plots, and summer houses, and have made the work financially profitable for years. Might it not be well if the city authorities were empowered to acquire one or two of the worst alleys and convert them into small public i^arks as an example which needs to spread in Washington? As for the stimulation of private enterx)rise in this direction, your commission can do much bj^ definite recommendations. It would also be helpful if stereopticon views and printed pictures could be used in showing what has been accomplished elsewhere — as at Dayton, Ohio, and Sunlight, England — by substituting floral hedges for back-yard fences and beautifying entire blocks of back yards by developing flowers, grass, foliage, and trees under the direction of a landscape gardener who plans whole blocks as units. The general secretary of our association has recently taken some 200 photographs in the poorer neighborhoods of Washington and has also collected 300 stereopticon views of poor conditions and of reme- dial, beautifying agencies in other cities. If any of this material can be made of service in j^our work, we shall gladly cooperate with you. Finally, all Americans would rejoice to see the National Capital become as nearly as possible "the city beautiful," which is the ideal nucleus of modern society. Great things have been suggested for the imf)roveuient and beautification of Washington. Your commission, centering as it now does the interest of the entire country, can do much to j)romote their consideration by the public and their ultimate realization here. These great improvements would beautify our city, while helping to make its residents more liealthy, effective, and liappj". They would impress visitors with the fact that an ideal city is mindful of all its inhabitants and all jjortions of its territory; that it is not forgetful of those among its citizens who are least able to command for themselves the neighborhood conditions essential to wholesome living. Thanking j^ou for your consideration, and again tendering any cooperation which our officers or members can acceptably render, we remain, Verj^ respectfully, yours, The Citizens' Relief Association and THE Associated Charities, Per Chas. F. Wellee, General Secretary. Mr. Daniel II. Burnham, Mr. Charles F. McKim, Mr. Augustus St. Gaudens, Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., Special Com mission on the Beautification and Improvement of the National Capital. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 39 IV. STATEMENT OF THE NORTH CAPITOL AND ECKINGTON CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION. Washington, D. C, November 2, 190i. My Dear Sir: Replying to your kind favor of tlie olst nit., I beg to quote the language of my report, recently adopted hy the North Capitol and Eckington Citizens' Association, respecting ]3arks for our section of this city — that is, the northeast : " That the land, now covered with beautiful oak trees, lying between Eckington place. Third street (when extended). R street, and New York avenue; also the southern portion of the Patterson tract, lying east of the Brentwood road, and whatever area that may not have been secured by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company of the northern part thei'eof, said tracts forming a natural park, be secured by the District and added to the proposed system of parks. * * ■" Atten- tion is called to the fact that the northwestern, southwestern, and southeastern sections of our city have been provided with handsome parks, while the northeast, within which quarter a large part of the section covered by the limits of this asso- ciation's bounds lies, is totally unprovided for " (the small square at the corner of Sixth and C streets alone excepted). " It seems to your committee that this is a specially fitting time to press the needs of our section in this regard, the land indi- cated being entirely imimproved and almost in its virgin state, and can, therefore, be purchased at a much lower price than after improvements shall have begun; that consideration would also be more likely to be given to our application at this time in view of the approaching disfigurement of the eastern portion of our section by the additional lines of railroad tracks and appurtenances, as, with the tracts mentioned adormd and even slightly improved (and bnt little outlay would be required on account of the present natural beauty of the land), these railroad approaches could be made only not less objectionable, but even quite attractive, so that the eastern section of our territory might be compensated thereby for the injury to be inflicted upon it by the additional railroad lines." I understand that your commission has recently visited all parts of our District in order to ascertain the possibilities for parking imi^rove- ments therein, and I feel convinced that it is wholl}' unnecessary to enlarge upon the merits of the claim for consideration which we pre- sent. As your commission is taking in the whole question, I am con- fident tliat our section, which is so rapidly being built up, will receive its full share of the benefits to be besto\ved through the services of the members of your important commission. Very respectfully, yours, Irwin B. Linton, Chairman Committee on Parks and Parking. Charles Moore, Esq., Parking Commission.. 40 PARK. SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. STATEMENT OF THE TAKOMA PARK CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION. Takoma Park, D. C, October 19, 1901. Gentlemen: I here inclose you a memorial of a committee of the Takoma Park Citizens' Association, which, I trust, may receive some consideration by your body. We believe if you could visit Takoma Park and see the beautiful ground, so well adapted for such a ijurpose, and note the rapidity with which the land is being occu- pied for homes, you would agree with us as to the propriety of pro- viding a small park in our vicinity. If you would think worth while to grant an audience to our committee, we should be gratified to meet you, and possibly imj^ress you with other facts bearing upon the subject. Very respectfully, M. J. Wine, Chairman Committee. The Park Commission for the District of Columbia. Whereas the District of Columbia in the vicinity of Takoma Park is being rapidly built up and improved by the establishment of homes, so that it is appar- ent the day can not be far distant when suitable parks and reservations will be necessary, not only to beautify and adorn the section, but to enable us to retain its present high standard of healthfulness and its attractive features as a place for residence; and Whereas the citizens of Takoma and vicinity, in public meeting assembled through the medium of their citizens" association, realizing the importance of making adequate provision for suitable park facilities and appreciating the action of Congress in designating a commission to take into consideration the compre- hensive park system of the District, designated the undersigned to present to you as park commissioners the necessity of providing a plat of ground for a public park in this vicinity before the section shall become too thickly populated. Therefore the committee respectfully state, that after due consideration given to this subject, we conclude to present to you a request that the plat of land bounded by Vermillion street, Sixth street, Chestniit avenue, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and fully shown upon the attached map and indicated in red should be set apart as and for a public i)ark, and we respectfully urge that you will present the same in your report to Congress, upon the work of establishing a more com- prehensive park system for the District of Columbia. Any further information with reference thereto will be cheerfully furnished. M. J. Wine. W. W. Anderson. Louis P. Shoemaker. F. J. Lung. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PxVPERS.— NO. 4. FORT STEVENS, WHERE LINCOLN WAS UNDER FIRE. By William Y. Cox, Chairman of the Historical Committee, Brightivood Citizens' Association. March 28, 1901. — Printed foi- the use of the committee. When Fort Sumter was fired on, April 12, 1861, Washington was as defenseless as it was in August, ISl-l, when it was captured by the British. In two years and a half, however, the city was protected b}" a mag- nificent S3\stem of forts and batteries, 6S in number, each flanking the other and spread out around the cit}^ for the distance of 37 miles. Eighteen of these forts were located in the northern part of the Dis- trict, between the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. In addition to these forts there were, between Forts Sumner and Lincoln (the former on the Potomac, the latter on the Anacostia), 1 bat- teries of heav}" artillery and 1-4 batteries of light artillery, containing in all 643 guns, 75 mortars,^ and together forming Avhat General Barnard describes as "a connected system of fortifications by which every point at intervals of 800 to 1,000 j^ards was occupied by an inclosed field fort, every important approach or depression of ground unseen from the forts was swept b}^ a battery of field guns, and the whole connected bj^ rifle trenches, which were, in fact, lines of infantry parapet, furnishing employment for two ranks of men and aflording covered communications along the line, while the roads were open wherever necessary, so that troops and artillery could be moved rapidly from one point of the immense periphery to another, or under cover from point to point along the line. " '■^ ^Barnara, p. 18. ^In the autumn of 1862 a force of several thousand troops were employed in con- structing rifle trenches and roads, felling timlaer, building new and repairing old works, and in the spring and summer of 1863 1,500 men were employed on the fortifications. A military road was constructed from Fort Sumner to Fort Stevens in September 1862, a distance of about 5^ miles; speaking of which Prof. George C. Schaeffer said "When the defenses are swept away, the roads may remain as a lasting benefit." 41 42 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. In those days, as now, the Seventh Street Pike (Brightwood avenue) was the leading thoroughfare to and from Washington, and at a point 5 miles from the Capitol, where the cordon of defenses crossed this road, at a height of 321 feet above mean tide, a fort was built in October, 1861, and named "Massachusetts" in honor of the old Bay State. The fort being found inadequate for its important purpose, it was enlarged in 1862 and 1863, and on April 1 of that j^ear the name was changed to Fort Stevens, in memorj" of Brig. Gen. Isaac Ingalls Stevens, who had just lost his life at Chantilly, Va.^ The ramparts of Fort Stevens extended from a point about 50 feet north of the present Brightwood schoolhouse in a northern direction for the distance of about 160 feet, outside measurement, then in a gen- eral northwest direction for the distance of 1-10 feet, then northwest at a more acute angle 90 feet, then nearly west for the distance of 220 feet, then southwest about 80 feet, and then south about ll-l feet, as 3'ou now see it, with a perimeter of 1,125 feet, inside measurement. The two ends on the south were connected hj a stockade. The entrance was from this side, and a blockhouse about halfwaj^ between the entrance and the west end of the fort flanked the stockade. The fort had two magazines, one where Emor}^ Chapel now stands and the other to the west, where the depression is still visible. The house of Elizabeth Thomas, who is still alive, was torn down and the cellar enlarged for this magazine." A bombproof about 150 feet in length extended northwest and southeast parallel to the stockade and about 50 feet from it. A flagstaff stood on the top of the magazine on the east side of the fort. (Latitude 38'" 57' 47". 16; longitude 77^ 01' 23". 57.) Around the entire fort was an abatis. The fort, described as "a powerful and satisfactory work," was pro- tected by rifle trenches — those on the northwest side are still standing and in good preservation. During the war various troops camped in and around Fort Stevens, and to-day those who recall "war times" will tell you of the Seventh Massachusetts being encamped on the White farm on the west side of ^When his troops wavered under the terrific fire, General Stevens rushed forward to the leading regiment, seized the colors from the wounded bearer, and calling on the Highlanders to follow him, led them in the onslaught which hurled back the enemy. In the moment of victory he fell, his brain pierced by a bullet in the temple, the flag of Ms country in his dying grasjD. (Life of General Stevens, by Gen. Hazard Stevens. ) ^Aunt Betty says: "The soldiers camped here at this time were mostly German. I could not understand them, not even the officers, but when they began taking out my furniture and tearing down our house I understood. In the evening I was sitting under that sycamore tree — my only house — with what furniture I had left around me. I was crying, as was my 6-months-old child, which I held in my arms, when a tall, slender man dressed in black came up and said to me: 'It is hard, but you shall reap a great reward.' It was President Lincoln, and had he lived I know the claim for my losses would have been paid." PAHK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OE COLUMBIA. 43 Brightwood avenue; the Tenth Massachusetts on the Lay farm; the Thirtj^-sixth New York on the east side of Brightwood avenue, oppo- site the hotel; the Rhode Island regiment on the old Ray farm hj Piney Branch; the Maine battery was west; Battery L, First Ohio, was east of Fort Stevens, while the "Hundred Day Men," all from Ohio, were then, as now, everj^where. It may interest joix to know that among those Buckeyes who saw service at Fort Stevens in ISG-I was Governor George K. Nash, pri- vate in Companj^ K, One hundred and fiftieth Ohio National Guard. Marcus A. Hanna, second lieutenant in Company C, was stationed at Fort Bunker Hill. These gentlemen have assisted in saving the capi- tal on more than one occasion. In the hollow ground south of Fort Stevens capable of sheltering large bodies of men from curved artillery fire, were built barracks and officers' quarters, partl}^ from timber cut down in front of the fortifi- cations and from lumber in houses and fences belonging to Mr. M. G. Emery and others, which the soldiers tore down without consulting the owners. During the battle these barracks were converted into hospitals for receiving the wounded. The bricks from the chimneys and foundations from the torn-doAvn houses were used in coustructing bakiug ovens. The Emer}^ house, still standing, was used for headquarters duiing the war by General Couch, Gen. Francis A. Walker, and other officers, while the cupola was used as a signal station, and man}" were the mes- sages, it is said, that were "wigwagged" from it to the Soldiers' Home, Mount Pleasant, and even the Capitol. The armament of Fort Stevens consisted of 19 guns and 2 mortars; of these, 5 were 30-pound rifled Parrott and 10 2-1-pound, and 2 S-ipch smoothbore guns. Four of the guns were on barbette car- riages — 2 at the northeast and 2 at the northwest. A map of General Meigs, a copy of which I have, shows the relative ranges of the guns, the outer one being near the District line. At many points the earthworks have been leveled, but thirt}" -seven years ago these same old earthworks saved the nation's capital. There were many dark days in Washington during the civil war. The first 3^ears were full of disappointment. The hope of the country aroused b}'^ the transfer of Grant, the suc- cessful leader of the Western armies, to the Army of the Potomac had not been realized. Indeed, when the countr}^ was expecting io3^ful tidings from his arm}" it was startled to find Jubal Early with his tire- less veterans pounding at the gates of the unprotected capital. To me these were the darkest days of the war. Then came the first steady ray of light, and from the hills of Brightwood, for here in front of Fort Stevens on July 12, 1864, came to an end the cleverest plan conceived by that great Southern general, Robert E. Lee. Grant was engaged in "fighting it out on that line" and was crowd- 44 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ing- Lee toward Richmond. General Hunter, having defeated Jones near Staunton, was threatening Lynchburg. Lee thereupon deter- mined to follow the example of Napoleon, who made it the fashion of Europe to dash through all obstacles to the capital of the enemy, divided his army and on June 12, 1864, ordered Earl}^ to take Ewell's corps, then near Gaines's mill. Cold Harbor, northeast of Richmond, and attack Hunter in the rear, push down the Shenandoah Valley, cross the Potomac, enter Maryland and surprise Washington. Lee reasoned that this movement would induce Grant to attack him, strongly intrenched, or divide his arni}^, when he hoped to engage and destroy him. Accordingly Early started the next day, June 13, on his famous campaign. He struck Hunter, who retired^ down the Kanawha Val- ley, crossing the Potomac near Harpers Ferry, was in Maryland, and was shelling Sigel's force, as it ascended the Maryland Heights, before Grant would believe that he was not in the front opposing him. On July 8 Early moved around Sigel and on the 9th was at Freder- ick. Having exacted a tribute of $200,000, he moved out and defeated Gen. Lew Wallace at Monocacy River. So ambitious was Earlj" to capture or, as he afterwards said, threaten Washington that he did not follow up Wallace, but marched at once on the capital. On July 10 he appeared at Rockville, 10 miles from Fort Stevens, where Major Fry,~ of Lowell's cavahy,^ briskly engaged him for an hour and a half, but when Early brought his artillery to bear, retreated to within a couple of miles of Tennallytown. (Appendix A.) The rapid and successful movement of the energetic Early and the appearance of bodies of his forces in the most unexpected quarters startled the North. Instead of there being "an entire feeling of security for its safety from menace," the capital was actually threat- ened by Early's troops, Hushed with success. Indeed, there were grave reasons to believe that, with its defenses stripped of the disciplined artillery by General Grant, the capital would be captured b}^ the Southern veterans, incited by the prize and inspired by the audacity of the undertaking. The heart of the North beat quickly, for it saw that with the capital in the possession of the eneni}' grave complica- tions would follow in the recognition of the Confederate States by foreign powers longing only for a plausible pretext to begin the dip- lomatic campaign of dismemberment. As we look back at the actual condition of affairs in Washington in 1864 we find that there were barely enough artillerymen for a single ^ Hunter moved down the Kanawha and up the Ohio to Parkersburg, where he took the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad July 5. On the 10th his cavalry reoccupied Martinsburg. The slow movement was due to the low water in the Ohio and the injury done to the railroad by Imboden. The troops were compelled to mai'ch from Cherry Run. ^ Sixteenth Peiuisylvania Cavalry. ^ Second Massachusetts Cavalry. " . PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 45 relief of gunners. There was only one-fifth enough infantry available to man the parapets, and a small brigade of cavalry, most!}- unmounted. On July 10. 1864, Fort Stevens was garrisoned b}" Company K, One hundred and fiftieth Ohio National Guard, commanded by Captain Safi^ord; a portion of the Thirteenth Michigan Battery, by Captain Dupont; and convalescents from various branches of the ser^ ice, com- manded by Lieutenant Turner, numbering in all 209 men. If we may judge b}^ what General Halleck wired an ambitious ofiicer on Jul}" 11, Washington was defended by generals. He sa3^s: ""We have five times as many generals as we want, but we are greatl}" in need of privates. Anyone volunteering in that capacity will be thank- fulh' received." Gen. C. C. Augur was in command of the Department of Washing- ton, while Gen. A. McD, McCook was in command of the troops and fortifications. The latter, according to the Meigs map, had his head- quarters on July 11 and 12 at Mooreland's tavern, where Brightwood Hotel now stands. Every man in Washington was utilized for defense. Gen. M. C. Meigs called out the quartermaster employees and had his head- quarters at Fort Slocum, the first fort east of Fort Stevens. Still farther to the east was Fort Totten, where there was a 100-pound gun, which swept the section from Fort Do Russ}^ where there was another 100-pound gun, to Fort Lincoln. The Veteran Reserves and the Dis- trict A^olunteers were also called out, and all available sailors and marines were placed under the command of Admiral Goldsborough while all the men that could be spared were drawn from the forts south of the Potomac. The swiftness of Early's approach gave little time for preparations. General ]McCook, who had been ordered to command a reserve camp on Pine}" Branch Creek, proceeded, on Sunday afternoon, Jul}" 10, to make an examination of the ground. During the night, he says, the Second District Volunteers, the Ninth Regiment Veteran Reserves, and Captains Gibb's and Bradley's batteries reported to him. On Monday morning the alarming news from the front forced him to move his troops to the rifie trenches on either side of Fort Stevens. He sent out a skirmish line and took command of the fort and lines, which he had never seen before his arrival. General McCook in his report, speaking- of the defenders of Washington, said: I hazard the remark that there never was before a command so heterogeneous, yet so orderly. The hale and hearty soldier, the invalid, the convalescent, the wounded, and the quartermaster emploj-ees, side by side, each working with a singleness of purpose and willing to discharge any duty imposed upon him. There seems, however, to have been much confusion among the commanders. Charles A. Dana, Assistant Secretary of War, is author- ity for the statement that — General Halleck would not give orders except as he received them from Grant; the President would give none; and until Grant directed positively and explicitly what was to be done everything was at a standstill. 46 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. John W. Garrett, president of the Baltmiore and Ohio Railroad, seems to have been better posted as to Early's army and movements than the commanders themselves. See volume 37, War of the Rebellipn. (Book of the Ro3^al Blue, April, 1901.) When General Grant realized the gravity of the situation, and that Hunter could render no assistance, he at first thought of returning from Petersburg to Washington to take command in person. On reflection, however, he decided to send back the Sixth Corps, com- manded by Gen. Horatio G. Wright, "an excellent officer," as he says, and well known to many of us, and whose death we have recenth^ been called to mourn. The Twenty-fifth New York Cavalry, the headquarters guard of General Grant, which left Citypoint, Va. , July 7, seems to have been the first regiment to reach Washington from the James, and went into camp about midnight of the lOth of Jul}^ near Fort Stevens. The same day the First and Second Divisions of the Sixth Corps left City- point for Washington. A few hours later Gen. W. H. Emory, with a part of the Nineteenth Corps, just returning from New Orleans to join Grant, left Fortress Monroe for Washington without disembarking from their ocean transports. What a picture! Early, with his fighting legion, advancing on the capital from the north, while fleets bearing the veterans of the Sixth and Nineteenth Army Corps were on their wa}^ from the James and the Gulf of Mexico to save the capital the}' loved so well. North and South looked on with bated breath and wondered which, in this race of armies, would reach Washington first. Disquieting rumors of all kinds were being circulated in Baltimore and Washington. Neither Lincoln, Stanton, nor Halleck lacked coolness nor energy in this trying emergency, sa}' Nicolay and Ha}'. The President's chief anxiet}' was for the capture of Early, as is shown b}' the letter he wrote General Grant, in which he sa3'S that the difficulty will be to unite Wright and Hunter south of the enemy before they recross the Poto- mac, adding, significantly, " Some firing between Rockville and here now." The President seems to have been unusually calm, thinking little of personal danger, for we find that on July 10 he wired Gov- ernor Swann at Baltimore, "Let us be vigilant, but keep cool." He left the White House the evening of that day, against the protests of officials, and rode to the cottage he occupied at the Soldiers' Home. When Mr. Stanton learned that the enemy had appeared in strong force at Tennallytown and Silver Spring, he sent a carriage for the President and insisted upon his returning that night to AVashington. Mr. Lincoln seems to have caused all the officials worry for his per- sonal safety. The Assistant Secretar}-- of the Nav}', Capt. G. V. Fox, was so anxious that he took the precaution to have a vessel ready in case it were necessary for the President to leave Washington. The PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 47 solicitude shown both b}" Stanton and Fox discomposed and irritated Mr. Lincoln. As alread}" indicated, it can not be truly saM that there was tran- quillity in Washington. On Jul}' 6 Secretar}- Stanton wired General Hunter at Parkersburg: You can not be too speedy in yonr movements in tliis direction with your whole force. The telegram of Gen. Lew Wallace on July 10 was not conducive to entire mental composure of even the most buoyant. ''"I have been defeated," he said; "the enemy are not pursuing me, from which I infer they are marching on Washington." On Juh' 11 Charles A. Dana wired Grant: Washington and BaUimore are in a state of great excitement. Both cities are tilled witli country jieople fleeing from the enemy. The damage to private property done by the invaders is almost lieyond calculation. Mills, workshops, and factories of every sort have been destroyed. From 25 to 50 miles of the Baltimore and Ohio Kailroad have been torn up. ""The boldness of the movement,'' wired Halleck to Grant, "would indicate that he is stronger than we supposed." General McCook wired Colonel Taylor in the morning of the 11th: The advance cavalry pickets, 22- miles beyond fortification, report the enemy advancing in force on the Leesborough road. My force is small, but will do my best. General McCook wired General Augur at 12.30 p. m., July 11: The enemy is advancing on my front with cavalry, artillery, and infantry. The signal officer wired: The enemy is within 20 rods of Fort Stevens.^ On the morning of July 11 General Earl}' left his camp near Rock- ville, ]McCausland taking the Georgetown pike, the infantry, preceded and flanked by cavalry, taking the Seventh street pike. Major Frye, of Lowell's cavalry, met the enemy's cavalry skirmishers a short dis- tance beyond the picket line, on the Georgetown pike, before noon, and forced them back on their reserves. He, in turn, was forced back by the enemy, who fired a few shots from a battery of light artillery. Colonel Marble, of the One hundred and fifty-first Ohio, was in com- mand of the line near Fort De Russy, which was weak on account of the topography and the shelter afforded by logs, rocks, and stumps in the valley of Rock Creek. ^ ^The troops garrisoning the fort July 10 were composed of Company K, One hundred and fiftieth Ohio, 78 men, Capt. A. A. Safford; Thirteenth ^Michigan Battery, 79 men, Capt. Charles Dupont; 52 convalescents commanded by Lieut. H. L. Turner, One hun- dred and fiftieth Ohio. (War of the Rebellion Records, vol. 37, Series I, p. 247. ) ^A persistent statement is made that General Breckenridge wanted to take his com- mand and force the Union lines by Rock Creek, then face east and west, take the works in escalade, form a junction with the rest of the Confederate forces, and march into Washington. 48 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. About 11 o'clock the signal officer at Fort Reno observed clouds of dust and army wagons moving on the Seventh street pike, and Gen- eral McCook was promptly informed.^ About the same time he received a message from Captain Berry, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, that the enemy, with artillery, cavalry, and infantry, was moving in the direction of Silver Spring. General McCook ordered the picket line, composed of the One hundred and fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the Twenty-fifth New York Cavalry, dismounted cavalry under Maj. G. G, Briggs, Seventh Michigan Cavalry, and the Veteran Reserves, to contest the ground and to retire slowl}^ on approach of the enemy until within range of the guns of Forts Stevens, Slocum, and De Russy.^ Shortly after noon, riding in advance with Rodes, whose division, consisting of Given's and Cox's North Carolinians, Crook's Georgians, and Battle's Alabamians, was in the van. General Early came, as he says, in full view of Fort Stevens, and found it feeblj^ manned, as had been reported to him. Smith, of Imboden's cavalry (Early says), drove a small body of Union cavalry before him into the works, dismounting his men and deploying them as skirmishers. What must have been the thoughts of Early as he contemplated that "feebly manned fort," beyond which arose the majestic Dome of the Capitol ! I have little doubt but that he said to himself that the Con- federate flag would be floating there before the sun sank across the Potomac and behind the Virginia hills. No time, however, could be lost, and he ordered Rodes to bring his division of tired and dusty veterans in line as rapidly as possible and move "into the works;" but before his order could be executed, to his great surprise and everlasting regret, he saw trained and disciplined troops move out of the works, deploy, and form a skirmish line. What must have been his disappointment? Nothing daunted, the tireless Early and his brave men continued to advance, but with a greater degree of caution than before. It was too late; the hopes and ambitions of only an hour ago could never be realized. Washington is saved to the Union! What Early thought had happened now hap- pened; the Sixth Corps had arrived. Never was there a more oppor- tune movement; never was there a more welcome arrival. Down the historic James, up the historic Potomac, came the Sixth Corps. Mr. Lincoln, who had been at Fort Stevens in the morning, drove to the ^ At 11 o'clock on the morning of the 11th the enemy commenced the attack on the picket line — Coh J. N. Frazee. Capt. Joseph N. Abbey, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery (at Fort Slocum), says: "The enemy appeared in the corner of the woods on Seventli street, opposite Mr. Blair's house, about 3,200 yards in front of this fort [evidently Lay house]." ^ William E. Leach, Company K, One hundred and fiftieth Ohio, was the first man wounded on picket, and died shortly afterwards. (Vol. 37, Series I, p. 245, War of the Rebellion Records. ) PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 49 Seventh street wharf to meet and welcome them. How they cheered him, and how warmly he greeted them! With what alacrity both offi- cers and men marched to reinforce the brave defenders on the firing- line! Dr. George T. Stevens, the historian of the Sixth Army Corps, says: The column was formed and we marched up Seventli street, past the Smithsonian Institution, the Patent Otfice, and the Post-Office, meeting on our way many old friends and hearing people who crowded on the sidewalks exclaiming: "It is the old Sixth Corps!" "These are the men who took Mayres Heights!" "The danger is over now!" AVashington an hour before was in a panic; now, as the people saAv tlie veterans, wearing the badge of the Greek cross, marching through their streets, the excitement subsided and confidence prevailed. Thus we made our way to the north of the city, the sound of cannonading in (>ur front stimulating and hastening the steps of the men. Families with a few of their choicest articles of household furniture loaded into wagons were hastening to the city, reporting that their houses were burned or that they had made their escape, leaving the greater part of their goods to the mercy of the rebel. We reached a pine grove in the rear of Fort De Russy and made our bi\'ouac for the night.' Gen. Frank Whcaton, in his report, says: "While marching up Pennsylvania avenue, in compliance with the instructions of the corps commander, I was halted bj' Colonel Taylor, chief of staff. Department of Washington, and informed by him that the enemy was driving in our picket line and seriously threatening Fort Stevens on Seventh street, and received through him General Augur's instructions to march at once in that direction instead of Chain Bridge, as first ordered. I turned my brigade up Eleventh street [probably Four- teenth], and while on the march to Fort Stevens was passed by General Wright, commanding the corps, and received his verbal instructions to mass near Crystal Spring, in the neighborhood of Fort Stevens, where we arrived at 4 o'clock in the afteiinoon. At 5 p. m. the force outside of Fort Stevens, consisting of a portion of the Veteran Reserve Corps, War Department clerks, and citizen volunteers, was driven in toward the fort by a portion of the enemy's forces under Early. At the same time I was ordered to move 500 men of my brigade out to recover the line held in the afternoon. This was successfully accomi:)lished before 7 o'clock by the Ninety-eighth Pennsy vania Veteran Volunteers, Col. J. F. Bailler; One hundred and second Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, I\Taj. Thomas McLaughlin; and One hundred and thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Capt. James iNIcGregor, which deployed as skirmishers and drove the enemy's advance back to their main lines. The position was strengthened at dark by the Ninety-third Pennsylvania Veteran A^olunteers, Lieut. Col. J. S. Long, and the Sixty-second New York Veteran Volunteers, Lieut. Col. T. B. Hamilton, and extended from a point opposite the center of the line between Forts Stevens and Reno to the west and a point opposite Fort Slocum on the east, a distance of about 2 miles. Skirmishing continued through the night. Camp fires in considerable nmiibers were reported that night by the telegraph operator at Fort Stevens. In vain had Early tried all the afternoon of July 11 to find a weak ^ At 4 p. m. General Wright wired General Augur, from Fort Stevens: "The head of my column has nearly reached the front." P 1—03 4 50 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTKICT OF COLUMBIA. spot in the lines, but he was met everywhere by the fire of fort guns and musketrj^ The works he reported exceedingly strong, consisting of what appeared to be inclosed forts for heavy artillery, with a tier of lower works in front of each, pierced for an immense number of guns, the whole being connected by curtains with ditches in front and strengthened by palisades and abattis. The timber had been felled within cannon range all around and left on the ground, making a for- midable obstacle, and every possible approach was raked by artiller3\ On the right was Rock Creek, running through a deep ravine, which had been rendered impassable b}' the felling of the timber on each side, and be3^ond were the works on the Georgetown pike, which had been reported to be the strongest of all. On the left, as far as the eye could reach, the works appeared to be of the same impregnable character. Early thereupon held a consultation with his generals, Brecken- ridge, Rodes, Ramseur, and Gordon, pointing out the necessity of action before the fords and mountain passes were closed against them. In concluding he announced his purpose of making an assault at day- light. During the night a dispatch was received from Bradley T. John- son, near Baltimore, stating that two corps of Grant's army had arrived in Washington. This caused a delay in the attack, and, when exam- ining the works at daylight, July 12, General Early saw the parapets lined with troops, he says he then determined to abandon the idea of capturing Washington.^ A distinguished writer, who was at Brightwood during the battle, says: July 12 came, bright and glorious. The First Brigade of our Second Division and our sharj^shooters were on the picket in front of Fort Stevens, the Second and Third Brigades still enjoying the delightful shades of the groves in the rear of Fort De Russy. From the parapet of Fort Stevens could be seen the lines of rebel skirmishers, from whose rifles the white puffs of smoke rose as they discharged their i^ieces at our pickets. The valley beyond presented a scene of surpassing loveliness, with the rich green meadows, its field of waving corn, its orchards, and its groves. The principal force of the enemy seemed to be in front of Fort Stevens; there it was determined to give them battle. About 5 o'clock in the afternoon (July 12) General Wright ordered General Wheaton to drive back the Confederate skirmish line and occupy the wooded points near the road, which, being so near our intrenchments, gave the enemy advantage of position; thereupon. Colonel Bidwell was instructed to have the Third Brigade move outside of the fort and form, under cover of a ravine and woods, in two lines directly in the rear of the First Brigade, on the skirmish line. Colonel Bidwell was also directed to select three of his best regiments to assist in the assault, the remain ing portion of the brigade to be held to supi^ort the general movement. According to General Wheaton — The Seventh Maine, Forty-third New York, Lieut. Col. J. D. Visscher, and Forty- ninth New York, Lieut. Col. G. W. Johnston, were skillfully placed in position near ^ It has been stated that this report grew out of the publication of a fictitious tele- gram, care being taken that a sufficient number of papers got into the hands of Southern sympathizers, when the edition was, in a public manner, suppressed. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ' 51 the skirmish line under the direction of Colonel Bidwell without the enemy discover- ing the movement. A preconcerted signal was made by a staff officer when these regiments were in position, at which time the batteries from Forts Stevens and Slocum opened fire upon certain indicated points, strongly held by the enemy. As had been previously arranged, after the thirty-sixth shot from Fort Steveins had been fired, a signal was made from the parapet of that work and the commander of the skirmish line and three assaulting regiments dashed forward, surprising and hotly engaging the enemy, who was found to be much stronger than supposed. It became necessary to deploy immediately the three remaining regiments — the Seventy-seventh New York, Lieutenant-Colonel French; One hundred and twenty-second New York, Lieutenant-Colonel D wight, and Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers — of Bidwell' s brigade on the right of those he had already in the action, and the picket reserve of 150 men from the One hundred and second Pennsylvania Volmiteers and a detach- ment of 80 men from the Vermont brigade to support the skirmish line immediately on the right and left of the pike. The enemy's stubborn resistance showed that a farther advance than already made would require more troops, and two regiments were sent for. Before their arrival, however (the Thirty -seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Montague, and Second Rhode Island, Capt. E. H. Rhodes), an aid-de-camp from General Wright directed me not to attempt more than holding of the position I had gained, as the object of the attack had been accomplished and the important points captured and held. This whole attack was as gallant as it was successful, and the troops never evinced more energy and determination. The losses were very severe, the brave Colonel Bidwell losing many of his most valuable regimental commanders. * * * The last shot was fired about 10 o'clock, and the remainder of the night was occupied in strengthening the position, burying the dead, caring for the wounded, and relieving the skirmish line, which had been two days in front constantly under fire, by troops of the Second Vermont Brigade. In concluding his report General Wheaton says: Of the brave men of this command, who have so promptly and gallantly engaged the enemy, I can not speak in too high terms of praise. They have never faltered in battle nor murmured at the fatigues and hardships which they have been called upon to endure. They have nobly earned the admira- tion of their commander and the gratitude of the nation. Dr. Stevens describes the attack in these words: The fiag of the Seventy-seventh New York waived the signal of readiness, the heavy ordnance in the fort sent volley after volley of 32-pound shells howling over the heads of our men into the midst of the rebels, and through the house where so many of them had foiuid shelter, and then at the command of "Sedgwick's Man of Iron," the brave fellows started eagerly forward. They reached and passed the skirmishers, and the white puffs of smoke and the sharp crack of their rifles became more and more frequent, first the rattle of an active skirmish and then the con- tinuous roar of a musketry battle. In magnificent order and with light steps they ran forward up the ascent, tiirough the orchard, through the little grove on the right, over the rail fence, up to the road, making straight for the first objective point, the frame house [Lay] in front. The rebels at first stood their ground, then gave way before the impetuous charge, and though forced to seek safety in flight, turned and poured their volleys into the ranks of the pursuers. Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, commanding the Forty-ninth New York, a brave man who had never shrunk from danger, and who shared all the various fortunes of the brigade since its organization, fell mortally wounded. Colonel Visscher, of the Forty-third New York, who had but lately succeeded the 52 ' PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. beloved AVilson, was killed. Major James P. Jones, commanding the Seventh Maine, was also among the slain; andMajorCrosby, commanding the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, who had just recovered from a bad wound which he received in the Wilderness, was taken to the hospital, where the surgeon removed his left arm at the shoulder. Colonel French, of the Seventy-seventh New York, was injured. The commanding officer of every regiment in the brigade was either killed or wounded. The fight had lasted but a few ininutes when the stream of bleeding, mangled ones began to come to the rear. Men leaning upon the shoulders of comrades or borne painfully on stretchers, the pallor of their countenances rendered more ghastly by the thick dust which settled upon them, were brought into the hospitals by scores, where the medical officers, ever active in administering relief to their companions, were hard at work binding uj) ghastly wounds, administering stimulants, coffee, and food, or resorting to the hard necessity of amputation. At the suinmit of the ascent the Confederates were strengthened by their second line of battle, and here they made a stout resistance. But even this position they were forced to abandon in haste, and as darkness closed in upon the scene our men were left as victors in possession of the ground lately occupied by the rebels, having driven their adversaries more than a mile. The Vermont brigade now came to the relief of the boys who had so gallantly won the field, and the Third Brigade returned at midnight to the bivouac it had left in the morning. But not all returned. Many of those brave men who went with such alacrity into the battle had fallen to rise no more, in the orchard, in the road, about the frame house, and upon the summit where the rebels had made so deter- mined a resistance; their forms were stretched upon the greensward and upon the dusty road, stiff and cold. Many more had come to the hospital severely injured, maimed for life, or mortally wounded.^ (Appendix B. ) The little brigade, numbering only a thousand men when it went into action, had lost 250 of its number. * * * We gathered our dead comrades from the field where they had fallen and gave them the rude burial of the soldier on the common near Fort Stevens. No officer of state, no lady of wealth, no citizen of Washington, was there; but we laid them in their graves within sight of the Capitol, without coffins, with only their gory garments and their blankets around them. AVith the rude tenderness of soldiers, we covered them in the earth and marked their names with our pencils on the little headboards of pine and turned sadly away to other scenes. Land of Earth's hope. On the blood-reddened sod. They died for the nation. The Union, and God. * * * Oh, that last charge! ^On July 11, twenty shots were fired from the guns of Fort Stevens — fourteen 30-pound and six 24-pound. Of these five were fired at the Confederates in a grove 1,050 yards distant, six 24:-pound and two 30-pound shots were fired at them in the rear of the old target, one in the i^ike in front of the target, two at 2,000 yards dis- tance, one at the skirmish line behind an orchard, one at the Carberry house (Lay), and two in their midst at the distance of 1,254 yards. On July 12, 67 shots were fired, 30 of them at the Carberry or Lay house, which was set on fire by shots from a mortar; 15 at the Reeves house (B. H. Warner's house), 1,078 yards; 4 on the groimd at the right of the pike, 1,050 yards; 2 in the ravine in the rear of the Lay house; 10 at the carriage shop; 2 solid shots at the old camp, and 4 at the column en masse. Fort De Eussy fired 109 shots; Fort Slocum, 53. General Early occupied the F. P. Blair house for his headquarters; General Imboden, the James Blair house. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 53 On an eminence in the rear of the Confederate advance was John C. Breckinridg-e, the candidate receiving the votes of the seceding States for President, expecting to enter the capital with the Army of North- ern Virginia. On the parapet of Fort Stevens, by the side of General Wright, amid the whizzing bullets, stood the successful candidate in that great political struggle, Abraham Lincoln, watching, with that "grave and pensive countenance,"' the progress of the battle. Four years ago, in company with the old commander of the Sixth Corps and his daughter, Mrs. Rosa Wright Smith; Gen. D. S. Stanley, Capt. Thomas Wilson, Dr. C. G. Stone, and James E. Kelly, the well- known sculptor of American history, I stood upon that same parapet. After contemplating the surroundings. General Wright said: There near the pike was the woods that was so full of Early's men; along this slope is where our skirmishers deployed; there a house was burned, there another, and still another^ over these trenches went the brave soldiers of the Sixth Corps. Where is the tree? I can not find the tree from which a sharpshooter picked off my men. The old tollgate has gone also. He paced up and down the top of the crumbling earthworks for awhile, as if to satisfy himself in regard to some fact, then said: Here on the top of this parapet, between this old embrasure and that, is the place where President Lincoln stood, witnessing the fight; there, by his side, a surgeon was wounded by a minie ball. I entreated the President not to expose his life to the bullets of the enemy; but he seemed oblivious to his surroundings; finally, when I found that my entreaties failed to make any impression on him, I said, " Mr. President, I know you are com- mander of the armies of the United States, but I am in command here, and as you are not safe where you are standing, and I am responsible for your personal safety, I order you to come down." Mr. Lincoln looked at me, smiled, and then, more in consideration of my earnestness than from inclination, stepped dowm and took posi- tion behind the parapet. Even then he would persist in standing up and exposing his tall form. That old parapet, identified by Horatio G. Wright, stands to-day, and for history's sake should be preserved for a park on the only battlefield in the District of Columbia.^ It should be called after that benignant man of the people, Abraham Lincoln. Men who wore the graj-, when Lincoln died the South lost its best friend. He saw joii deploy and gallantly charge almost to those intrenchments, then help save and mark the point nearest Washington reached by the soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia. Heroic defenders of Fort Stevens and Washington, you who held the fort on July 10 and 11, and you, the gallant soldiers of the Sixth and Nineteenth Army Corps, join together once more and save the old fortifications over which you and 3'our comrades charged to victory, as a monument to the bravery of the American soldier — a united North and South. ^Address by W. V. Cox at flag presentation, Brightwood engine company, August 6, 1897." 54 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. DEFENDERS OF WASHINGTON On July 10, 1864, there were— Nortli of Poto Iliac. — The One hundred and fiftieth, One hundred and fifty-first, One hundred and seventieth regiments Ohio National Guard; 15 companies heavy artillery (volunteer); 2 companies light artillery; 2 companies United States artiller}^, all under command of Brig. Gen. M. D. Hardin, with an efi'ective force, 1,819 infantry, 1,831 artillery, and 63 cavalry. South of Potomac. — The One hundred and thirtj^-sixth, One hun- dred and forty-fifth, One hundred and forty-seventh, One hundred and sixty-fourth, One hundred and sixty-sixth. One hundred and sixtj'-ninth Ohio National Guard; 6 companies heavy volunteer artil- lery; 12 companies light volunteer artillery; 2 companies United States artillery, commanded by Brig. Gen. G. A. De Kussy, an effective force of 1,061 infantry, 1,772 artillery, 51 cavalry. In addition to these there were in Washington and Alexandria about 3,900 effectives (First and Second District of Columbia Volun teers, Veteran Reserves, and detachments) doing guard duty under Generals Wisewell and Slough, and 6 regiments Veteran Reserves, about 4,100 men. At the artiller}" camps (Barry) there were 5 field batteries — 627 men. A brigade of cavalry, consisting of Second Massachusetts and Six- teenth New York, numbering 800 effective men, was posted near Falls Church and commanded by Col. C. R. Lowell, who resisted to the utmost Early's progress and never hesitated to attack when it was desired to develop the enemy's force. * * * The Eighth Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel Gamble, was at Fort Stoneman awaiting equip- ment. A part of this regiment was sent to Rockville and other points to observe the enemy. The other part was ordered to report to McCook, at Brightwood. The entire force numbered about 20,400 men, an inefficient force for service on the lines. (Defenses of Wash- ington, p. 107, Barnard.) General McCook in his report gives the following as the strength of the Federal troops (War of the Rebellion, Vol. XXXVII, Series I, p. 235): Right of Fort Stevens: Provisional brigade, Colonel Price 2, 800 Second District Regiment, Colonel Alexander 550 Twelfth Veteran Reserve, Colonel Farnsworth 550 Quartermaster employees 1, 800 Battery L, First Ohio", 2 guns 121 Seventh Michigan Cavalry, Major Darling 450 Left of Fort Stevens: Second Vermont 232 Third Vermont 272 One hundred and forty-seventh Ohio 465 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 55 Left of Fort Stevens — Continued. Ninth A''eteran Reserve 350 One hundred and fifty-seventh Ohio 18-4 First Maine Battery, 2 guns 112 Total 7, 886 Onh' a portion of the Sixth and Nineteenth Arm}" Corps were in front of Washing-ton on July 11 and 12, 1864. (See War Records of the Rebellion, Vol. XXXVII.) FORCES ENGAGED. General Wallace estimated the force that confronted him at INIonoc- acy at 20,000. General McCook in his report tixes the number at 30,000 in front of Washington. General Couch states that there were 60 pieces of artiller}- actually counted in passing South Mountain. General Early claims to have had but 8,000 muskets, 40 pieces of artillery, manned b}" 600 or 700 men, and 2,000 cavalry. The accuracy of these figures has been questioned. General Sheri- dan characterizes the numbers as falsifying history. A Southern writer makes the total 13,500. Col. R. D. Cults, of General Halleck's stall', made a careful estimate of Earh^'s numbers from data from Generals Couch, Sigel, and Howe, when Early was in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry. He says that between the 3d and 18th of July, during the interval between the crossing of the Potomac and their retreat beyond the Shenandoah, the total number of prisoners, including wounded and captured from Earlv's command, was 1,255 officers and men, the name, rank, and regiment in each case having been caref uUn^ ascertained and recorded. These prisoners represented 99 regiments of infantry, 36 of cavahy, and 10 of artillery organizations, besides 5 or 6 separate battalions not specified as belonging to any particular arm of the service; and estimating the strength of each regiment at 180 officers, and men of the cavalry at 100, and of the artillery, 60 guns, at 100 for each bat- tery (being actually less in each arm than that reported b}- prisoners), the following aggregate numbers result: 99 regiments of infantry ._ 17, 820 36 regiments of cavalry 3, 600 Artillery, 60 guns 1, 000 22, 420 (Defenses of Washington, p. 120-121.) General Sheridan produced the receipt of the provost-marshal- general of the department for 13,000 prisoners captured from Early's command during the Washington campaign. (Ohio in War, Vol. I, p. 522.) 56 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE OPPOSING FORCES AT THE MONOCACT, MARYLAND [July 9, 1864.] THE CONFEDERATE ARMY, LIEUT. GEN. JUBAL A. EARLY. Gmnlons division^ (Ma j. Gen, John B. Gordon). — Evans's brigade, Brig. Gen. C. A. Evans, Col. E. N. Atkinson: Thirteenth Georgia; Twenty-sixth Georgia, Col. E. N. Atkinson; Thirty-first Georgia, Thirty-eighth Georgia, Sixtieth Georgia; Sixty-first Georgia, Col. J. H. Lamar; Twelfth Georgia, battalion. Ha3^s's brigade,^ Col. W. R. Peck: Fifth Louisiana, Sixth Louisiana, Seventh Louisiana, Eighth Louisiana, Ninth Louisiana. Staflbrd's brigade:" First Louisiana, Second Louisiana, Tenth Louisiana, Fourteenth Louisiana, Fifteenth Louisiana. Terry's brigade,^ Brig. Gen. William Terr}^: Second, Fourth, Fifth, Twenty-seventh, and Thirty-third Virginia (Stonewall brigade). Col. J. H. S. Funk; Twenty-first, Twenty-fifth, Forty-sec- ond, Forty-fourth, Forty-eighth, and Fiftieth Virginia (J. M. Jones's brigade). Col. R. H. Dungan; Tenth, Twenty-third, and Thirty-seventh Virginia (Steuart's brigade), Lieut. Col. S. H. Saunders. Breckenvindge's division^ (Brig. Gen. John Echols). — Consisted of Echols's, Wharton's, and Vaughn's brigades, the latter being dismounted cavalry. Modes' s Dwisio)i (Maj. Gen. R. E. Rodes). — Grimes's Brigade: Thirty-second North Carolina, Fortj^-third North Carolina, Fortj^-fifth North Carolina, Fifty-third North Carolina, Second North Carolina Battalion. Cook's Brigade: Fourth Georgia, Twelfth Georgia, Twenty- first Georgia, Fortj^-fourth Georgia. Cox's Brigade: First North Carolina, Second North Carolina, Third North Carolina, Fourth North Carolina, Fourteenth North Carolina, Thirtieth North Carolina. Bat- tle's Brigade: Third Alabama, Fifth Alabama, Sixth Alabama, Twelfth Alabama, Sixty-first Alabama. Hamseur^s Division (Maj. Gen. S. D. Ramseur). — Lilley's Brigade: Thirteenth Virginia, Thirty-first Virginia, Forty-ninth Virginia, Fifty- second Virginia, Fifty-eighth Virginia. Johnston's Brigade: Fifth North Carolina, Twelfth North Carolina, Twentieth North Carolina, Twenty-third North Carolina. Lewis's Brigade: Sixth North Caro- lina, Twenty-first North Carolina, Fifty-fourth North Carolina, Fifty- seventh North Carolina, First North Carolina Battalion. Cavalry (Maj. Gen. Robert Ransom). — Composed of the brigades of McCausland, Luboden, W. L. Jackson, and Bradle}" T. Johnson. The latter brigade was sent before the battle "to cut the Northern Central and the Philadelphia and Baltimore railroads." ^Maj. Gen. John C. Breckenridge commanded Gordon's and Echols's divisions. ^United under the command of Brig. Gen. Zebulon York. ^Composed of the "fragmentary remains of fourteen of the regiments of Edward Johnson's division, most of which was captured by the enemy May 12, 1S64." * Composition not clearly indicated. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 57 Artillery (Lieut. Col. J. Floyd King-).— Composed of Nelson's, Brax- ton's, and McLaughlin's battalions. With the forces above enumerated General Early continued his movement on Washington. In his official report he says that in the action at the Monocacy "our entire loss was between 600 and 700, including the cavalry," and that when in front of Washington "my infantry force did not exceed 10,000." (Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. IV, p. 499.) LOSSES. Gen. Frank Wheaton reports the killed and wounded of the First and Third Brigades, Sixth Corps, as .59 killed, 145 wounded. Dr. Robert Reyburn gives the casualties of the Twenty-second Corps as 12 killed, 61 wounded. The Twenty-tilth New York Cavalry suffered severely on July 11, Mr. T. Raymond, New York, gives the number as 17 killed, 23 wounded. There are 5 of this regiment buried at Battle-Ground Cemeterv, and others who died from wounds received before Fort Stevens are said to be buried at the Soldiers' Home and Arlington. This regiment bore the brunt of the early lighting.^ Genera] Meigs reported 1 killed and 1 wounded. The Eighth Illinois Cavalry lost men, as well as the One hundred and fiftieth and other Ohio regiments not mentioned by Dr. Reyburn. I estimate the total killed and wounded to have been about 400. Since writing the above I find the following in the Civil War in the United States, Volume XXIII: CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY. [Compiled from official records.] Fort Stevens, Washington, D. C. — Twenty-second Corps, First and Second Divisions, Sixth Corps, marines, home guards, citizens, and convalescents. Union: 54 kihed, 319 womided. Confederate: 500 killed and wounded. Among the Union officers killed were Lieut. Col. J. D. Visscher, Forty-third New York Volunteers; Lieut. Col. G. M. Johnson, Forty-ninth New York Volunteers; Maj. James P. Jones, Seventh Maine Volunteers; First Lieut. John E. Bailey, Sev- enth Maine Volunteers; First Lieut. David E. Lambert, jr., Forty-ninth New York Volunteers; Second Lieut. William Laughlin, Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers. Among the officers wounded Avere Col. J. F. Baillier, Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers; Lieut. William Wilson, Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers; Capt. Martm Hanimer, Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers; Assistant Surgeon C. C. V. Crawford, One hundred and second Pennsylvania Volunteers; Maj. J. W. Crosby, Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers; Capt. Davis Cossitt, One hundred and twenty- ^Assistant Secretary Dana wired General Grant, July 14: "Our total losses by the siege amount to 500 killed and wounded." (Vol. 37, series 2, p. 303.) 58 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. second New York Volunteers; Capt. George H. Baker, Seventh Maine Volunteers; Lieut. Col. W. B. French, Seventy-seventh Nevi^ York Volunteers. Cai^tain Clark, Sixth Veteran Reserve, was wounded while attempting to take a barn near Rock Creek. Lieut. H. M. Nevius, Twenty-fifth New York Cavalry, lost an arm on July 11, near the McChesney Spring, left of the pike. BIBLIOGRAPHY. The War of the Rebellion, vol. 37, Series I, parts 1 and 2. Defenses of Washington, J. G. Barnard. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1871. Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Robert U. Johnson and Clarence C. Buel. Centurj^ Company, New York. The Civil War in the United States, Bryan. Taylor Company, New York. Greeley's American Conflict. Draper's Civil War in America. Lossing's Civil War. Life of Lincoln, Nicolay and Hay. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant. Century Company, New York. Washington in Lincoln's Time, Noah Brooks. Century Company, New York, 1895. Three Years in the Sixth Corps, Dr. George T. Stevens. Van Nostrand, New York. Official Roster, Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866. Werner Company, Akron, Ohio, 1893. Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Whitelaw Rei(L Moore, Wilstach & Baldwin, Cincinnati, 1868. Memoirs of the Coirfederate War for Independence, H. Von Borcke. Lippincott & Co., 1867. General Early in National Republican, Washington, August 4, 1881. Charles A. Dana, McClure's Magazine, May, 1898. A Reminiscence of Washington and Early's Attack in 1864, Edgar S. Dudley, First Lieutenant Second United States Artillery. Peter G. Thomson, Cincinnati, 1884. Early's Raid on Washington. A Leaf from History. Colonel Chamberlain, Twenty- fifth New York Cavalry. The Republic, Washington, March, 1877. The American Soldier in the Civil War, Eldridge S. Brooks. History of the Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers, by Lieut. A. P. Smith. Washington Sketch Book. Blanchard & Mohun. Handy Guide to Washington. Rand, McNally & Co. New York Tribune, July, 1864. New York Herald, July, 1864. The Evening Star, Washington, July, 1864. The Chronicle, Washington, July, 1864. National Intelligencer, Washington, July, 1864. Harper's Weekly, July, 1864. Frank Leslie's, July, 1864. Contributors in the National Tribune, Washington. Contributors in the local papers of Washington. Letters from jiarticipants; interviews with same. Maj. H^E. Alvord, U. S. Volunteers, "Early's Attack upon Washington, July, 1864." War Papers, No. 26 Commandery, D. C, 1897. A Memoir of the Last Year of the War for Independence in the Confederate States of America. Lynchburg, 1867, C. AV. Britton. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 59 LATEST ACTION. Since the above was written the Fort Stevens-Lincoln National Park Association has been organized, with Gen. Thomas M. Vincent as president. ■ [Extract from the Evening Star.] The executive committee of the Fort Stevens-Lincoln National Park Association held a meeting yesterday afternoon at the rooms of the board of trade in the Star building, Gen. Thomas M. Vincent in the chair and Maj. A. S. Perham acting as secretary. Dr. C. V. Petteys presented a bill looking to the establishment of a battlefield park, and explained its features in detail and the changes made in it to meet the wishes of the participants in the battles in front of Washington. Gen. Frank Wheaton, who commanded a brigade in the Sixth Corps under General Wright, gave a most interesting account of the engage- ments of July 11 and 12, 1861, when Gen. Jubal Early came so near capturing Washington City. He told how President Lincoln persisted in standing on the parapet of Fort Stevens watching the engagement and how anxious General Wright was .to have him stand behind rather than on top of the parapet. Lincoln, he said, was a good soldier and had rendered excellent service in the Black Hawk war, and when the battle was on in front of Fort Stevens his early training as a soldier seemed to assert itself and he demonstrated unmistakably that he was totally devoid of fear. Capt. Henry B. Looker explained a series of maps (A) (B) (C) prepared for the committee. He said the plan presented to him was to cover the entire line of the engagement from Fort Reno on the left to Fort Totten on the right during the siege of Washington b}^ General Earh". The United States now possesses holdings from Fort Reno to Battle-Ground Cemetery, over one-half of the line engaged, and Captain Looker was asked to complete the line of defense by making maps to include the site of Fort Stevens and the earthworks still stand- ing east of Fort Stevens and Fort Totten, the last being the best pre- served fort of the civil war in the District of Columbia. About 25 acres of ground would be required for this purpose, and the maps had been made in harmony with the street-extension plan. Col. John McElroy thought more ground should be secured than proposed, as the engagement at Fort Stevens meant everything for the capital and the nation during the war and much now. The plan, he argued, should be on the broadest lines possible. Maj. H. N. Alvord spoke of the battle in which his regiment took part and urged that the line of l)attle should be marked. Fort Stevens battlefield being one of the most interesting, historically, of any battle in the civil war that remained unmarked. 60 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Sca/e: /oo soo /T ll I I -I • PLAT OF PROROSED RESERVATION AT FORT STEPHEN BATTLE FIELD, NEAR BRIGHTWOOD, D. C. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 61 62 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. PLAT OF PROPOSED RESERVATION AT FORT TOTTEN, NEAR BRIGHTWOOD, D. C. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 63 Major Perham urged that the bill for acquiring- the ground for the park be introduced this session and if found imperfect it could be changed to meet the wishes of the participants in the battle and pre- sented to Congress at the next session for enactment into law. Maj. H. L. Biscoe, who was an officer in the Confederate arm}^, was present and advocated the securing of the forts and having the impor- tant points suitably marked, as was being done elsewhere, as a tribute to the valor of the American soldier. Maj. L. P. Williams said that if the land proposed to be acquired was acquired now, the future citizens of the capital and nation would praise the Avork of those engaged in this patriotic undertaking to save so historic a spot. Mr. W. V. Cox presented a plan of Fort Stevens, "the fort that saved our country's capital," stating that he had placed a tablet on the fort that morning which not only showed the plan, but also gave a brief description of the Imttle. General Vincent spoke of the interest that was being manifested in the project b}^ old soldiers all over the countr}', and presented several letters from comrades bearing on the suliject. He also presented a letter from Hugh Hastings, State historian of New York, in reference to a bill which had been introduced in the legislature of New York to erect a monument at Fort Stevens in memory of the soldiers of that State who had fallen in sight of the Dome of the Capitol. After an interesting discussion, tilled with reminiscences of the Washington campaign, it was decided that the chairman should appoint a committee, of which he would be ex officio a member, to wait on members of the Senate and request that a bill for acquiring the Fort Stevens battlefield for a national park be introduced at this session of Congress. The chairman appointed Gen. Frank Wheaton, Col. John McElroy, and Capt. H. B. Looker members of the committee, and they will call at the Capitol to-day. The following-named gentlemen compose the executive committee of the Fort Stevens Lincoln National Park Association: Gen. Thomas ~Sl. Vincent, U. S. A., chairman. Maj. A. S. Perham, secretary. Gen. Frank Wheaton, U. S. A. Gen. George W. Getty. Gen. William H. Penrose. Gen. Jos. C. Breckenridge, U. S. A. Gen. George H. Harries. Gen. F. C. Ainsworth. Mr. William V. Cox. Dr. Charles V. Petteys. Maj. Henry E. Alvord. Maj. Leander P. Williams. Col. William L. Bramhall. Col. Calvin H. Farnsworth. 64 PAKE SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Maj. Thomas S. Hopkins.. Col. John E. McElroy. Col. I. W. Stone. Gen. George H. Slaybaugh. " Gen. R. G. Dyrenforth. Capt. Henry B. Looker. . . Hon. James Tanner. Maj. Edward E. Campbell. Mr. Barry Bulkley. Gen. Marcus J. Wright. Maj. Henry L. Biscoe. Capt. Findlay Harris. The following compose the legislative comniittee: Gen. L. A. Grant, 310 Bank of Commerce, Minneapolis, Minn. Gen. W. B. French, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. Gen. H. V. Boynton, 1357 Princeton street. Gen. Hazard Stevens, 8 Bowdoin avenue, Boston, Mass. Judge H. M. Nevius, Eed Bank, N. J. Governor George K. Nash, Columbus, Ohio. Gen. Lew Wallace, Indianapolis, Ind. Mr. Frank Eaymond, custom-house. New York City. Mr. J. H. Wolf, Post-Office Department. Maj. E. E. Campbell, Pension Office. Dr. Frank T. Howe, Star Office. Col. Arthur Hendricks, Auditor's Office, Treasury Department. Col. John H. Kline, 628 Ehode Island avenue. Gen. A. M. Legge, 609 G street. Gen. John Middleton, 506 I street, NW. Col. H. D. Norton, 1804 Vermont avenue. Dr. C. C. V. Crawford, Chester Heights, Delaware County, Pa. Maj. Hiram Buckingham, 1522 Sixth street. Gen. E. F. Bogie, 806 I street NE. Eev. J. H. Bradford, Indian Office. Dr. Thomas Calver, 107 B street NE. Col. S. E. Chamberlain, 1309 Twentieth street NW. Col. Aldace F. Walker, New York. Capt. James E. Eldredge, Eandolph, Vt. Maj. Henry J. Nichols, Soldiers and Sailors' Home, Missouri avenue. Chaplain John H. Macomber, retired. Mr. Eansoni E. Hathorn, Ludlow, Vt. Maj. Charles G. Gould, Patent Office. Capt. Dan Barrett, Pension Office. Mr. John O'Connell, Pension Office. Mr. E. M. Byrne, Government greenhouse. Gen. H. W. Gilmore, Adjutant-General, Vt. Col. W. J. Sperry, Cavendish, Vt. Col. Amison S. Tracey, Middlebury, Vt. Gen. F. G. Butterfield, Derbyline, Vt. Dr. Eobert Eeyburn, 714 Thirteenth street NW. Gen. Edward W. Whitaker, 819 Massachusetts avenue NE. Mr. L. C. White, 902 D street SE. Hon. Hugh Hastings, Albany, N. Y. Maj. Leander P. WiUiams, 931 Westminster street NW. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 65 Gen. Alexander McD. McCook, care of Adjutant-General U. S. A. Mr. Edward T. Bates, 517 Second street NW. Gen. J. B. Gordon. Gen. W. R. Cox, Tarboro, N. C. Maj. S. A. Cunningham, Nashville, Tenn. Gen. D. E. Sickles, New York City. Dr. Horace Coleman, Pension Office. Col. J. Edwin Browne. ^ Paul Beckwith, 1343 R street NW. Maj. W.H.Tracy. Zebina Moses, 711 H street NW. p 1—03 5 SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS, NO. 5. mFORMAL HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ji UNITED STATES SENATE. April 1, 1901. — Printed for the use of the committee. Washington, D. C, Tuesday, March 19, 1901. Present: Senators McMillan (chairman) and Galling-er; also the fol- lowing- gentlemen: Robert S. Peabod}', of Boston, president, and Glenn Brown, of Washington, secretaiy, of the American Institute of Architects, and the following members of the committee representing the institute: Messrs. William A. Boring, chairman of the committee on legislation; George B. Post, of New York; G. F. Shepley, of Bos- ton; E. B. Green, of Buffalo, and Frank Miles Tfny, of Philadelphia. Also the following gentlemen: Frederick Law Olmsted, landscape architect, of Brookline, Mass., and J. C. Hornblower and James G. Hill, of Washington, D. C. The Chairman. Gentlemen, it is the desire of the subcommittee that we have an informal talk this morning upon the subject of the improve- ment of the park sj^stem of the District of Columbia, and I think it would be well for me to explain to you briefly the purpose we have in view. It has been thought advisable b}^ gentlemen on this committee that we should formulate, or have formulated for us, a plan to develop the parks now in existence, and possibly to invite suggestions as to other parks in this District. As probably most of you know, we have here in the District of Columbia the making of the finest parks in the world, owing to the peculiarity of the surroundings — the hills and valle3\s that we have all over the 7 square miles of territory that belong to the District. Some twelve 3^ears ago Congress purchased 2,000 acres of land for what is called Rock Creek Park, which territoiy has since remained in a rough condition, with the exception of a few miles of roads that have been built. We have 120 acres in what is called Zoological Park, connect- ing with Rock Creek Park on the south, one of the most beautiful 67 68 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. spots, I suppose, that is to be found anywhere. That is under the supervision of Professor Langley, Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- tution, Rock Creek Park is under the supervision of a board of con- trol consisting of the Chief of Engineers of the Army and two members of the Board of Commissioners. Then some years ago it was found that the Potomac River iiats were full of malaria, so the Government went to work and cleaned out all the low flats south of the White House and converted them into what may be a park, and a very beautiful park, of about 800 acres. Those are parks in what is called the northwestern side of the city. It has been thought by this committee that something should be done to connect those parks. Then we have in the central part of the city what is called the Sol- diers' Home, which is practically a park of 800 acres. That is well laid out with roads and drives; but that, of course, is not a public park, and it has been thought by some that we ought to connect Rock Creek Park with the Soldiers' Home grounds. In the northeastern part of the city there are only small reserva- tions; we have no parks. But we have the same difficulties on the eastern side of the city that we had on the south side— that is, we have in the Anacostia a river that is practically stagnant, and we have flats there which might be converted some day into parks, just as we have parks south of the White House. Now, these parks being in this condition, and being controlled by two or three difl'erent commissions, it has been thought by this com- mittee that we ought to have some proper scheme or plan to work on, and that we should emplo}^ experts to advise us as to what that scheme should be, just as was done with regard to the sewers in the District. Wo employed experts who prepared a plan of sewage disposal. The District has been working on that plan for nianj^ 3^ears, and when these labors are completed we will have a veiy flne sewer system. So it would be if we had a plan for the construction of parks; it would result in something very grand — boulevards, and all that sort of thing. Now, this committee is empowered to employ experts to see what can be done in that direction. In that connection it has been suggested that our labors may result in developing a plan for placing the public buildings of the future, but we Avill encounter this difficulty: While the Senate and House Committees on the District of Columbia have control of the matters in the city and the District in a certain wa}^ yet there are committees of the Senate and House on Public Buildings and Grounds which assume to place the public buildings. The Joint Com- mittee on the Librar}^, a committee of both Houses, has general charge of matters relating to statuary, so that before we could complete tins plan, if w^e should touch at all upon the public buildings, we would have to join with us subcommittees of those committees of both tiie PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 69 Senate and the House, and in that way we might get up a plan that would cover all we want or desire in this matter. So that this subcommittee feel a little difficulty about going on with the public building feature of the matter, while recognizing the fact that the architects and landscape gardeners should work together in all these matters. Senator Gallinger and I think we should be frank about this matter and tell you how we are situated and inform you of some of the diffi- culties with which you maj^ be confronted, and that possibly you may give us some suggestions as to what should be done to start this programme; and if so, we would be glad to have you do so. I think I have stated the matter fully and fairh'. Senator Gallinger. I think you have stated the matter accurately. The Chairman. Undoubtedly this subcommittee could go on with this matter, but the House is unorganized. There is no House and will not be until next December, but the Senate is a body that always exists; it never dies, and we can go on with this investigation, so far as the parks are concerned, with perfect propriety; but that is about as far as we can go. Senator Gallinger. Except by suggestions. The Chairman. Except by suggestions. Now, Mr. Olmsted is here from Boston, and he is familiar with landscape gardening or the lajnng out of parks. I think you are the only landscape architect present, Mr. Olmsted. Mr. OljvIsted. I think I am. The Chairman. You just came down to look the situation over to find out what was wanted? Now, you gentlemen represent the archi- tects 'i Mr. Boring. Yes, sir; and our first suggestion would be a commis- sion that should include architects and landscape architects. Our scope includes all of this, but principally the parks. Mr. Chairman, I think you probably have exactly the idea as to the position of the architects with relation to the public buildings. The architects, however, are as much interested in the park s^^stem as they are in the public buildings — the placing of the public buildings. It all goes together. It is a unit, and it is a problem of veiy wide scope. It is a matter that no one man can veiy well handle, and we had in Senate resolution No. 139 a plan that we favored. This plan was that two architects and one landscape architect should form a sort of commission to lay out a scheme for making this plan — not necessarily that they should design the plan, but that the}^ should develop some means for procuring the design. It is a matter that is so broad that this committee of the American Institute of Architects is not ready to make a recommendation in detail as to how the plan should be procured. It should, we think, be made by a commission or a number of gentle- 70 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. men who should have the widest liberty, and they should be given a certain amount of time to study the matter over, and then report a scheme for devising this plan. We are unanimous, I think, upon the recommendation of certain gentlemen who would be suitable for the work. We assume that your committee would like to have us recom- mend gentlemen whom we think would be proper in this connection. The Chairman. Whom would you recommend ? Mr. Boring. For the landscape work we would recommend Mr. Frederick L. Olmsted, and for one of the architects we would recom- mend Mr. Buruham, of Chicago, the man who carried out the World's Fair work. Then let those two gentlemen select a third who would work in harmony with those two. These gentlemen should then get together and study the problem and suggest some scheme or devise some scheme or do whatever in their judgment would be best to arrive at the desired result. The Chairman. I think that is a very practical suggestion, and I may say that you could not suit me, personally, better than to do just that thing. In that wa}^ you gentlemen would take the burden off of our shoulders temporarily. Those gentlemen could study the question between now and next December and could submit privately to this committee a plan which would practically cover the matter of the park- ing of the cit}", and incidentallj^ suggest where the public buildings should be placed. Mr. Boring. That is the idea exactly. The Chairman. And the men you speak of would be the men that I myself would have selected, if I were asked to select them. Mr. Burnham and Mr. Olmsted are just the men I should have selected, from my experience and knowledge of the matter. Senator Gallinger. The committee that you suggest, or the com- mission, whatever it might be called, I take it, would have suggestions made to them by the rest of j^ou gentlemen. The}" would be open to suggestions, would they not, or would you leave it entirely in their hands ? Mr. Boring. I would leave it entirely to them. That is the idea. It is a matter that we are not read}" to advise upon. Senator Gallinger. Would 3^ou have it submitted to you instead of the architects? Mr. Boring. No, sir; it should be submitted to you when we get the right men appointed. The Chairman. You are satisfied that they would do the work? Mr. Boring. Yes, sir; and let them submit it to you. Senator Gallinger. You have unbounded confidence in them ? Mr. Boring. Yes, sir. Is that not correct, Mr. Chairman? Mr. Peabody. Without making the same amount of study we could not pass upon those schemes or plans. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 71 Mr. Post. 1 think it is very desirable to have a board to do it, because one man may make a design and perhaps he may go off on a tack that ma}' not commend itself to men of different lines of thought, where three men or live men would correct him. The Chairman. What would be the expense of a commission of that kind? It has been suggested to me by several people that this insti- tute was so much in love with Washington and with what ought to be done here that they would be glad to give us the use of their brains for nothing. Mr. Boring. Yes, sir; so far as the institute is concerned I am sure that is entirely true. The Chairman. Yes; so far as the institute is concerned 3'ou may safely say that, because the^^ are not going to do anything. [Laughter.] Mr. Boring. But I consider that the institute, in bringing the matter up to this point, has done a great deal, and they have been to an expense in doing it, if that is the question. The Chairman. What we want to know is what Mr. Burnham and the gentleman who is selected b}^ Mr. Burnham and ]Mr. Olmsted will charge — how much they would charge for this preliminary work. Mr. Boring. That 3"ou would have to ascertain by a conference with those gentlemen. As a matter of fact, Mr. Burnham has never been consulted about this matter and knows nothing about it. We are confident that he is a good man, and certainl}' these gentlemen are not going to ask anything for their services that is outside of reason. The Chairman. I understand; but we want to know Senator Gallinger. Approximately. The Chairman. Yes. Your idea, then, is that we should send for those gentlemen and make the arrangement with them ? Mr. Post. That is the only way in which it could be done. The Chairman. The idea is that we shoukl see those gentlemen and ascertain what their ideas would be as to the cost and how long it would take to do it? Senator Gallinger. I think that would be the proper way. The Chairman. I can not see. Senator Gallinger, anything in the way of that, because that is merel}^ doing the preliminary work, which would have to be submitted to these committees when they met together — the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds and the Committee on the Ijibrary. They would have to work in harmon}", and if the plan should not suit those people it could be altered or amended. But the chances are that with such able men as those named there would be ver}^ little question about it, unless it was going to cost too much money; and probably some question as to the public buildings — where they are to be located — might arise; but as to the parks, I do not suppose there would be any question. '72 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Mr. Green. I suppose the question of cost would depend upon "how far these g-entlemen would go. They might simpl}" arrange how a plan might be arrived at, or they might arrive at the plan itself. Those are two different pieces of work. The Chairman. They would have to go over the situation here and get the la}" of the land and then recommend a plan. Mr. Green. But, as Mr. Boring has said, they might either do that or they might come to you and say, We recommend making the plan in this manner. The Chairman. 1 will tell j^ou what was done in Detroit recently. Eighteen men met at m}" house one night to discuss a matter of this kind, and every man felt that his plan was right; we were going to do wonders. We had two or three newspaper men and other citizens, and they discussed the matter. We found that every man had his own idea of what should be done; it was simply impossible for us to agree. It was finally suggested that we employ an artist or architect and one or two other men — three or four, I think, were emploj^ed. Mr. San- ford White was the chairman. They went to Detroit and looked over the cit3% and determined what they would recommend. They recom- mended something that would cost a million dollars, and it was entirely satisfactory to the people of the city, apparently. The people had public meetings and displayed this grand plan for the treatment of Belle Isle, with columns and colonnades, and all that sort of thing. It was a realW beautiful plan, but they made the mistake of thinking that the public would furnish the mone}". They raised about $450,000 and then the}^ fovind that they could go no further. After that time they felt a little indifference about it; their enthusiasm oozed out; whereas if the cit}" had said, "We will give half a million dollars," and the citizens had said, "We will give half a million dollars," the}^ would have carried out the plan that the gentlemen suggested. The experts looked the matter over and studied it and suggested to us what ought to be done, just as these gentlemen would do, I suppose. In fact that is the only wa}" to do, because if we should take plans from everybody we never should agree. Everybody would have some suggestions dif- ferent from the others. But if you get the best talent you can, I think the}" will bring about better results. Mr. Boring. It might be that this committee would subdivide the work and take competitive plans; for instance, select certain men for certain parts of the work, it being of such a diversified nature, some of it being entirely natural and some of it being formal. But they would crystallize it so that you would be relieved of that detail. Senator Gallinger. If your plan should be adopted, would it not leave the Cj[uestion of expense an open one and impossible of determi- nation at the start? For instance, if the committee should be selected from architects and landscape gardeners, and should take plans from others, they would have to pay for those plans, would they not? PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 73 Mr. Boeing. Well, this committee would advise jou in advance of the cost of an}' of their moves — before the moves were made — so that they would secure 3'our approbation before the thing- was done. Senator Gallinger. In sug-gesting- the matter of expense I presume the chairman spoke of it simplv from the fact that scientific and tech- nical gentlemen usualh' suppose that the Government is rich enough to do anything, j^et we are constantl}' met with ver}^ determined oppo- sition in Congress in the matter of projects that cost a good deal of money. There is a great deal of economy- attempted to be practiced here, whether it is actually practiced or not. There are a great many men in public life who pride themselves upon being economists, and to start out with a scheme of extravagance in this committee, if it should do so, would very likely defeat the purposes we have in view, so that it is ver}'' necessary' that we should go on carefully and with some knowledge of the probable cost in advance. We do not expect that we can get the definite cost, but we can get at the approximate cost of the work, and I think the success of this proposition can be assured only upon a procedure of that kind. Mr. Boring. Those things, of course, could only be determined by a conference between yourselves and this committee in advance of any move on their part. Mr. Post. Mr. Chairman, this matter is so xevy broad and extends over such a great amount of countr}" and such verj" different require- ments as to development that it is impossible for us to express any opinion as to the cost. I think that a small committee, considering the matter in detail, could arrive at the question of cost verj^ readily. Mr. Moore. I suppose your committee would say, for instance: Here is Rock Creek Park; that should be treated in such a way, on general lines, leaving the detail of the treatment to be taken up and considered afterwards ? Mr. Boring. Yes, sir; later on. Mr. Moore. Even in after years, if necessary? Mr. Boring. It depends upon how minutely it is necessary" to go into details in these matters. It might be just on general lines that might be suggested b}^ Congress, leaving other things to be developed. The Chairman. Of course, if we should adopt a plan which would take in the placing of all public buildings and plans to develop these parks, it might take years to do it; but every building that would be erected in the city of Washington would be recommended according to this plan. As it is now, they go around hawking the matter about and do not know where to put the building. Take the Department of Justice building, for instance. Mr. Boring. That is Mr. Post's building. The Chairman. I apprehend that Mr. Post would not like to have that piece of ground that was selected, but some more space on which Y4 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. to show the building off. And it ought to be in harmony with other buildings so far as the placing of it is concerned. Mr. Post. I have been constantly advocating the purchase of the entire front of the square for the Department of Justice building. I believe it would be an economy for the Government, at whatever cost, to bu}^ half of that lot and put the Department of Justice building on the axis of the Treasury Department. It may be proper for me to make the suggestion — although this committee ma}^ be powerless to act in the matter — that the Institute of Architects has been most vitally interested in the development of Washington, on both artistic and practical lines, in the best possible way, so that it would be a city that for all time would be an evidence of the development of the arts — the art of architecture especially, and its various accessories, such as engi- neering and landscape architecture. They have been vitally interested in the best possible development of the capital of the country, and that development never can be reached while the development of the city is in the hands of three or four different authorities, and it seems to me, as an initial step, Congress ought to be led to place the entire matter of the locations of buildings and the landscape development — if you choose to call it so, the plan of the cit}^ — in the hands of one committee, and until that is done I do not believe that you will ever get a satisfactory result, or a result of which our grandchildren will be proud. You have incidentally referred to the Department of Justice build- ing. I think it is a sin on the part of the members of Congress that they should permit as important a structure as that to be put up in front of the Treasur}'^ building without being on its axis. The Chairman. I quite agree with you. We all feel that wny. Senator Gallinger. As a matter of fact, we have a crazy-quilt con dition of things now in this city, so far as the public buildings are concerned. The}^ are scattered here and there without any system so far as scientific arrangement is concerned. Mr. Post. So far as the scientific arrangement is concerned I have given consideration to the question, necessarily, of the buildings; and it seems to me that the buildings for the departments that have direct daily and hourly business with each other and with the President must be concentered around the White House, and the buildings where the offices and functions are necessarily connected with the general legis- lative branch of the Government must be concentered more or less about, or be in direct connection with, Capitol Hill. Senator Gallinger. Upon that hj^pothesis 3"ou would think it desira- ble to keep the Department of Justice building in the vicinity of the White House? Mr. Post. As far as m}^ investigations for the last two or three years enlighten me, I think it is absolutely indispensable that it should be there. The Attorney-General is constantly called upon by the Sec- PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 75 retaiy of State, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, and by the President, and their conferences are constant. Senator Gallinger. Have you discovered any other available site in that region for that building? Suppose the present site should be abandoned. Mr. Post. I suggested to the Attornej^-General some few months since that he should get Congress to purchase the smaller lot opposite the War Department, occupied b}" the Corcoran Art Galler}^ building — the half lot — and have the building placed there. It could then have been acquired very reasonably. 1 believe the Court of Claims has now taken it. Senator Gallinger. How about buying that whole square and util- izing it for a building? Mr. Post. There is no reason wh}" that should not be done. STATEMENT OF MR. FREDERICK L. OLMSTED. Senator Gallinger. Mr. Olmsted, how does the suggestion made by Mr. Boring strike 3'ou — jou are to be one part of this scheme ? Mr. Olmsted. It seems to me, Mr. Chairman, that the method of appointing more than one man — several men, whether three or five, at any rate some small number — to make a preliminary but careful exam- ination is decidedl}" the right one to adopt, whatever the plan might be. To get at it in an}'^ other way — to get advice from the members of the institute, or from others who are interested in the subject in a general way,°or who through living in Washington are familiar with the problem — can not bring 3'ou down to a sufficiently definite knowl- edge of the subject, even for a start, or for a preliminarj^ report, because the problem is so exceedingl}^ complex. I think also that any such committee or commission or board of experts should proceed first to an investigation leading to a preliminarj^ report, with plans not very definite in character — necessarily not veiy definite in character, but embodying the results of a few months of investigation of the subject — and from those plans, after a conference with your committee and with other committees that are concerned with the whole problem, a basis might l)e laid for the detailed plans that would be necessary for the carrying out of an}- scheme. Beyond that point the further development of any plan is open to other methods. Such a committee might find difficulties in its organ- ization and its method of procedure during that preliminar}^ investi- gation, l)ut it would certainly, after such an investigation, be in a position better than anybody else to advise you how to reach final and definite conclusions as to the plan. Senator Gallinger. So that the most you could hope for then would be to make a preliminar}^ report at the opening of the next ses- sion of Congress. Am I correct in that assumption ? 76 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Mr. Olmsted. Yes, sir. Senator Gallinger. But your committee would not be able to pre- sent matured plans ? Mr. Olmsted. It seems to me that it would not be advisable to attempt that. It is interesting, I think, in this connection, to recall what took place in the development of the metropolitan park system of Boston, with which I am perfectly familiar. That problem, although large in territory — larger than the problem you have here in extent — is a simpler one in man}^ respects, because it did not involve, for instance, the question of placing public buildings and a number of other elements which make this a very complex problem. In that case a pre- liminarj' report was prepared by one man. the late Charles Eliot, who was afterwards a member of our firm, dealing only with the park aspect of the development of that district. He made a report after several months — I think six or eight months — of investigation, which report contained, besides its recommendations, a plan fairl}'^ definite in its main outlines, but not going into details. That plan has served as a basis for the work that has since been done in carrying out the project, and the details of that plan have been elaborated and modifi- cations have been made in its details ever since; but its general scheme has been followed, and it seems to me that the wisest wa}" to proceed in this matter is to call now for some preliminary report, such as is rep- resented in that report of Charles Eliot on the metropolitan park system. You will then have men who have gone into the subject suffi- ciently to see where it leads and see how to proceed in elaborating the details. The Chairman. That preliminary report would then be submitted to the committees of both Houses, and they could take it under advise- ment, so that we would be ready to say whether we should go on and have those plans completed or not? Mr. Olmsted. Yes, sir. The Chairman. I think that is a good suggestion. Is there any- thing else. Senator Gallinger, that you desire to ask these gentlemen ? We seem to have covered the whole ground. Senator Gallinger. I think that is all. I take it for granted that this committee, if appointed, should properh' be clothed with author- ity to employ assistance and all that sort of thing. I see that they were so authorized in the metropolitan park commission of Boston. Mr. Olmsted. Yes, sir. Senator Gallinger. And you would require the same thing if you were a committee or board? Mr. Olmsted. Yes, sir. Senator Gallinger. You think the metropolitan park system of Boston— which we all know something about, and which is the pride of New England men especially — presented not as many difficult prob- lems as are presented here, do you? PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTKICT OF COLUMBIA. 77 Mr. Olmsted. They were less varied in their nature and less com- plicated, I think. Senator Gallingee. I notice that you took possession of the banks of the Charles, and what other river? Mr. Olmsted. Two other rivers. Senator Gallinger. Did you have the problem there (of course you did not to the same extent, 1 know) of dealing with those rivers as to the matter of sanitation, which is a very serious problem here? Mr. Olmsted. No, sir; but on portions of the Charles River the problem of sanitation has entered into the problem of park treatment to a considerable extent, and in respect of that particular aspect of the question the State board of health was joined with the Metropoli- tan park commission in a special investigation. Senator Gallinger. You see the Eastern Branch of the Potomac Elver is a horribly putrid and malarial stream. In fact, it is stagnant, and there is the same difficulty, I think, Mr. Chairman, as the outlet of Rock Creek. The Chairman. Yes; practically the same condition. Senator Gallinger. It is really a reproach to the capital city of this country that these conditions should have been allowed to remain as long as they have, endangering the health and lives of the people, and I take it that this scheme would contemplate getting rid, if possible, of that condition, as well as the developing of the park system proper. That would be proper!}' a part of the investigation. Mr. Olmsted. It should be, undoubtedly. The two aspects of the problem ought to be treated together in conference. Senator Gallinger. We have in this city a most competent health officer, who has a great interest in this matter and has frequently called attention to it, and who undoubted!}^ would be glad to cooperate with the committee in that matter. It seems to me that that is a very essen- tial thing to get rid of — an essential problem to solve in connection with this work. Mr, Boring. You referred to the Anacostia part of the city. I might nay that Mr. Shepley is going to build the new insane asj^lum on the heights beyond there. The Chairman. All of j^ou gentlemen will have to come here and build up this city in the course of time. We will have a great many buildings. We will have to have a municipal building, costing two or three million dollars, and we will have to have a hall of records. Why, the buildings in sight now will keep us going several j^ears. Mr. Boring. Then it is a very opportune time to consider the con- ditions in the city before the appropriation bills pass and the plans for the buildings get bej^ond control. The Chairman. Well, gentlemen, we think we understand 3'our sug- gestions, and that we had better see Mr. Burnham and Mr. Olmsted and talk with them and get their ideas as to carrying out your sug- 78 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. gestions. I think that is very simple, and, Mr^ Olmsted, I think that we should have a preliminary plan, which should then be submitted to the different committees, so that we would all work in harmony. Senator Gallinger. Yes; and I know that I express the sentiments of the committee when I say to these gentlemen that we deeply appre- ciate the interest that they have in this matter as manifested b}^ their presence here to-day. Without you gentlemen we are helpless. We feel a very great interest in this matter and of course desire to pro- ceed along sensible lines in order that we may accomplish something. We do not want any undue enthusiasm or theory. Mr. Post. If a plan is adopted for the general scheme of improve- ment of the District of Columbia, is it not possible that that could be made thoroughl}^ operative b}^ consolidating the duty of carrying such a scheme into effect in one committee instead of putting it in the hands of five or six? The Chairman. I do not know whether we could do that; but if this arrangement as suggested should be adopted, we could put the matter into the hands of a commission which would take charge of that, and which would have all of these matters under their control, just as the commission has in Boston. Senator Gallinger. Yes. I think there would be no difficulty, Mr. Post, in carrying out your suggestion in some form or another. Mr. Post. It is impossible with three or four different heads. Senator Gallinger. Yes, utterly. Mr. Peabody. In reply to the suggestion of Senator Gallinger, I desire to say on behalf of the gentlemen present that we are greatly obliged to the committee for affording us the opportunity to come before you. The Chairman. The committee appreciates your coming here very much indeed, and the wisdom of the invitation is demonstrated b}^ the fact that 3"ou have "'hit the nail on the head," as the expression is. You seem to have agreed upon a plan which meets our approval, and you have relieved us of some difficulty. I suggested in the first place that we felt some little difficulty as to how far we could go, but the plan that has been proposed relieves us of that. We can certainly go that far. Mr. Day. There is one matter, Mr. Chairman, in this connection which I think has not been made clear, and that is as to the approba- tion of the committee of the third member of the proposed commis- sion. It is of very great importance that the three members of the commission, or committee, whichever 3"ou ma}' term it, should work in perfect harmony, and I believe that it is the feeling of our commit- tee that such harmon}' can be secured best by allowing Mr. Olmsted and Mr, Burnham, if they are appointed, to select, subject to your approval, the third member. The Chairman. Yes; I think that would be proper. The meeting will now be adjourned. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS, NO. 6. NOTES 0^ THE PARKS AND THEIR COMECTIONS. April 1, 1901. — Printed for the use of the committee. Senate CoMisnTTEE on the District of Columbia, Washmgtmi, D. C, March £7, 1901. Gentlemen: Complying with your request, I have prepared notes on the proposed development of the park sj^stem of the District of Columbia, as follows: The city of Washington is bounded approximately on the east by the Anacostia River, on the north b}" Florida avenue, on the west by Rock Creek, and on the south by the Potomac River. Within this territory are 302 reservations, comprising- 407 acres. The most important of these reservations is the series beginning with the Capi- tol grounds, extending through the Mall to the W^hite Lot or Wash- ington Monument grounds, and thence northward to the grounds of the Executive Mansion, including also Lafayette Park, opposite the President's House. The Capitol grounds are under the charge of the officer known as the Architect of the Capitol, and are governed by laws relating exclu- sively to them. The grounds were laid out by Frederick Law Olm- sted,^ and may be regarded not only as finished in themselves, but also as imposing certain restrictions on the development of the Mall, botanical gardens. The reservation directly west of the Capitol grounds is occupied by the Botanical Gardens, which are under the general control of the Joint Committee on the Librar}-. The immediate control is in the hands of a superintendent, who is practically independent. The 'The act approved March 21, 1874, appropriates S3, 000 for a topographical survey of the Capitol grounds and the employment of Frederick Law Olmstead, of New York, in furnishing plans for laying out the grounds; the act of June 21, 1874, appropriates $20,000 for sewers and street lights for the Capitol grounds; the act of June 23, 1874, appropriates $200,000 for the improvement of the Capitol grounds according to the Olmsted plans; the acts of March 3, 1875, and April 21, 1876, appropriate, respectively, $200,000 and $20,000 for carrying out and completing said plans. Up to and includ- ing 1876, the total amount expended on the Capitol grounds was $1,634,258.51. 79 80 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. grounds are inclosed by a wall surmounted by a high iron fence, and they interrupt the driveway between the Mall and the Capitol grounds. The trees and shrubs within the grounds are said to be of great value; the greenhouses are used for propagating purposes, and there is an imposing fountain, after a design by Bartholdi and made of imitation bronze. The grounds are open during the day to pedestrians. The gardens have no organic connection with any department; their con- nection with Congress is of the slightest, and their usefulness is problematical. ^ THE MALL. That portion of the park space which extends from Third to Sixth street was originally bounded on the north by Pennsylvania avenue and on the south by Maryland avenue; but is now bounded on the north by Missouri avenue and on the south by Maine avenue, and reservations A and B on the north and B and C on the south are now held by private parties. While really an extension of the Mall, the space is technically known as the Henry and Seaton parks. If it shall be thought best to extend the Mall to Pennsylvania ave- nue, the purchase of the two reservations, A and B, on the north should have earlj^ consideration. The estimated value of the ground in res- ervation A is $393,812; the value of improvements, $318,320; total, $712,132. The estimated value of the land in reservation B is $618,625; improvements, $343,620; total, $962,245.' ^ In 1850 Congress appropriated $5,000 for the removal of the public greenhouse ' ' to some suitable site on the public grounds, ' ' and for the erection of ' ' such other greenhouse as may be deemed necessary by the Joint Committee on the Library." In 1855 an appropriation of $1,500 was made for the erection of a suitable house "for the plants recently brought from Japan for the United States." Subsequently the grounds were sewered, improved, and fenced. Appropriations were made from time to time for maintenance and improvement. ^ Senate Document No. 211, Fifty-sixth Congress, fir.st session, gives the approximate value of the squares on the south side of Pennsylvania avenue from the Botanic Garden to Fifteenth street, as follows: Tabulated report of the board of assistant assessors, giving an approximate value, etc., to the squares on the south side of Pennsylvania avenue from Fifteenth street to the Botanic Garden. Square. Between— Square feet. Value of ground. Value of improve- ments. Total. Rental per square. 226 255 256 292 349 380 Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets. Thirteenth-and-a-half and Four- teenth streets. Thirteenth and Thirteenth-and- a-lialf streets. Twelfth and Thirteenth streets... Tenth and Eleventh streets 73,504 46, 032 46, 032 30, 982 46,004 36, 318 76,587 146, 692 147, 647 t624, 157 317, 621 290,093 304, 396 403, 938 333, 716 672, 484 618, 625 393, 812 S3.52, 360 None. 292,335 113,045 132, 020 225,400 294, 055 343, 620 318, 320 1876,617 317, 621 682, 428 417,441 535, 958 .5.59, 116 966, 539 962, 245 712, 132 $49,085 None. 34, 946 24,631 30, 550 32, 428 461 64, 624 Reservation B Reservation A Four-and-a-half and Sixth streets. Third and Four-and-a-half streets. Total 52, 923 37,031 649,848 3,858,842 2,071,156 5,929,997 326, 218 By the act of March 2, 1833, the commissioner of public buildings and grounds was authorized to cause all the open ground belonging to the United States, which PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 81 Fourth street, a much- used thoroughfare, bisects the space between the Botanical Gardens and Sixth street, and must be considered in the treatment of the space between the Capitol g-rounds and the Pennsyl- vania Railroad occupation. The act of February 12, 1901, provides that the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company ma}^ use virtually the entire square of the Mall between Sixth and Seventh streets, and on this space may build a station and appurtenances to cost not less than 11,500,000 and an elevated roadbed. It is provided that a street shall be carried underneath this roadbed, on arches with an aggregate opening of not less than 200 feet.^ The location of the station in the rear of square -161 must be much less satisfactory than a location on Pennsylvania avenue. The value of the square, with improvements, however, is about $1,000,000. in the original plan of the city was reserved for public walks, lying between Mary- land and Pennsylvania avenues to be inclosed with a wooden fence and to lay down the same, according to such plan as the President of the United States may approve, in grass and intersect it by suitable paths and roads for intercourse and recreation. It was provided, however, that "there shall be not more than three streets or roads across the same to connect the streets on the north and south sides of said public grounds." In 1848 the sum of $3,628 was appropriated for the improvement of the Public Mall from Seventh street westward to the Potomac River, and subsequent appropriations increased the amount to $67,600.83, which smn represents the expend- itures on the Mall prior to 1858. ^Sec. 3. That in order to accommodate the increasing passenger, mail, express, and other trathc in the city of Washington the said Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company shall have and be possessed of the right, which is hereby granted and con- ferred, to occupy and use, on the conditions hereinafter mentioned, that portion of the Mall lying between B street southwest and B street northwest as the southerly line of said B street northwest is hereinafter defined, and between the west line of Sixth street and a line drawn parallel therewith and three hundred and forty feet west thereof, and to erect and maintain thereon a station building and appurtenances, train sheds, and tracks and sidings in connection therewith suitable and adequate for the convenient accominodation of said traffic; and the said Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company shall, in connection with its occupation and use of the portion of the Mall hereby granted, locate, construct, and maintain beneath its tracks and structures on the line of West Capitol street, as shown on the city maj^s, a substantial arch or arches not less than two hundred feet in width, as a public passageway for vehicular and pedestrian traffic (as shall be approved by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia), which shall be so constructed as to afford roadways and side- walks; and the said company shall also pave the said passageways at the time of their construction to the satisfaction of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, but thereafter the maintenance of the pavement and roadways shall devolve upon the said District of Columbia. The station building to be erected on the Mall shall cost not less than one million five hundred thousand dollars, inclusive of the car sheds, which shall be of ornamental or monumental character, and shall be designed, so far as practicable, so as not to impair the appearance of the Mall; the plans thereof to be approved by the Secretary of War: Provided, That upon the lands on the Mall hereby granted to the use of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company no freight depot, warehouse, or other structure, except such as is necessary to its use as the site of a passenger station, shall be erected; and that no tracks, except such as are necessary to the service of such passenger station, shall be laid or operated on said land. — Act of February 12, 1901. P 1—03 6 • 82 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. The Mall from Sixth street to Fifteenth street is occupied by build- ings as follows: (1) The Fish Commission. This building is to be torn down to make way for the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks and a new structure is to be built. A suitable building for the Fish Commission would cost about 1250,000. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company pays 140,000 for the old building, which amount, less the cost of destruction of the old building, would be available for a new structure. The location of the new building is to be settled. The law seems to contemplate a loca- tion on what is left of the Mall space between Sixth and Seventh streets, but there is not room for a proper building there, because there should be at least 70 feet between a building occupied by clerks and the elevated structure, and this would reduce the available depth to about 4:0 feet. A new location and an aj^j^Topriation should he had for this huilding.^ (2) The Army Medical Museum. The rear of this building, on B street south, and the side, on Seventh street, have been completed. The front, facing north, on the Mall, is yet to be constructed. The characteristics of the architecture, however, have been fixed by those portions of the structure already built, and little of dignity or beauty seems possible. (3) The National Museum. This is a wide-spreading building, for the most part of one story. It is of cheap construction and of cheap appearance. A new building, to cost sevei'al million dollars, seems to be in prospect, for not one-half of the collections of the Museum are now displayed. The old buildings will doubtless be retained even if a new structure shall be built, for the reason that the Government needs buildings. (i) The Smithsonian Institution. (5) The Agricultural Department building. Plans are in prepara- tion for a new building to occupy the present site.^ Coming to the Monument grounds, we find the Bureau of Engraving ^ Sec. 5. That the United States Fish Commission building and appurtenances, now located on that part of the Mall hereby granted to said Baltimore and Potomac Rail- road Company, shall be removed therefrom and rebuilt on the said Mall west of the portion thereof so granted to said railroad company, under the directions of and according to plans approved by the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army; and the cost of such removal and rebuilding shall be defrayed by the said Baltimoi e and Potomac Railroad Company to an amount not exceeding forty thousand dollars: Provided, That the expense of such ren:ioval and rebuilding in excess of forty thou- sand dollars shall be paid by the United States. — Act of February 12, 1901. '^To enable the Secretary of Agriculture to have prepared, under his direction, plans for a fireproof administrative building, to be erected on the grounds of the Department of Agriculture, in the city of "Washington, said plans, and such recom- mendations thereon as the Secretary of Agriculture may deem necessary, to be trans- mitted to Congress at its next regular session, five thousand dollars, to be immediately available. — Agricultural appropriation act of March 2, 1901. PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 83 and Printing, a building adapted for manufacturing; and the sheds and greenhouses of the propagating gardens, in control of the officer in charge of the public buildings and grounds. POTOMAC PARK. South of the Monument grounds are the reclaimed lands named Potomac Park.^ The park has an extent of 739.42 acres, including the tidal basin; in part the park consists of a made island extending ^ The present, which is the original, project for improvement was adopted by the act of Congress of August 2, 1882. It has for its object the improvement of the navi- gation of the river by widening and deepening its channels, reclamation of the fiats by depositing on them the material dredged from the channels, the freeing of the Washington Channel, so far as it can be done, of sewage, and the establishment of harbor lines beyond which no wharves shall be built. To effect these, the project provided for 20 feet depth in the channels at low water, for filling in the flats to a height of 3 feet above the flood plane of 1877, and for a tidal reservoir or basin above Long Bridge, to be provided with inlet and outlet gates of ample dimensions, to work automatically, and so arranged as to admit of the basin being filled from the Virginia Channel on the flood tide and discharged into the Washington Channel on the ebb. An ample system of drainage for the reclaimed area was also contemplated. A training dike on the Virginia shore, extending downstream from the foot of Analostan Island, was added to the project in 1890. The project also provides for the rebuilding of Long Bridge at an early period dur- ing the progress of the improvement, with wide spans upon piers offering the least possible obstruction to the flow of the water, and the interception of all sewage now discharged into the Washington Channel and its conveyance to the James Creek sewer canal, but neither of these works was included in the estimated cost of the improvement, which was $2,716,365. The estimate, as revised in 1897, is §2,953,020. The total of appropriations for this work from August 2, 1882, to March 3, 1899, is $2,359,000. The amount expended to the close of the fiscal year ending .Tune 30, 1899, was $2,206,718.29. The expenditure resulted in the dredging of a channel 20 feet deep and 550 feet wide through the bar above Long Bridge and in restoring the standard 20-foot navi- gation by redredging shoals due to freshets; in increasing the width of the natural channel just Vjelow Long Bridge by 50 to 500 feet and in deepening it to 20 feet; in dredging a channel 350 feet wide and 20 feet deep through the bar in the Virginia Channel near Giesboro Point; in dredging the Washington Channel to a width of 400 feet and a depth of 20 feet for a navigation channel, and in dredging between this navigation channel and the wall of the adjacent reclaimed area to a depth of 12 feet; in dredging at the junction of the Washington and Virginia channels; in dredging the tidal reservoir (117 acres) to a depth of about 8 feet; in the construction of the reservoir outlet, and in the construction of 35,289 linear feet of sea wall, of which 4,910 linear feet have been taken down and relaid, and 5,965 linear feet of training dike. The total number of cubic yards of material dredged from the channels, from the commencement of the improvement (1882) to date, and deposited on the flats is about 10,893,607 cubic yards. The area of land reclaimed by these operations is 621.12 acres (or, including reser- voirs, 739.42 acres) , which, by act of March 3, 1897, was declared to be a public park, under the name of Potomac Park. — Report of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, 1900, p. 236. 84 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. down the Potomac to a point opposite the mouth of the Anacostia River. With the exception of 75 acres occupied by the Agricultural Depart- ment under a temporaiy permit/ Potomac Park is unimproved. A large tidal basin, in which a depth of water of 9 feet is preserved, is available for boating- purposes and skating. A small, badly placed, ill-kept swimming beach is maintained by the District government. A series of fish ponds used by the Fish Commission is connected with the tidal basin. The Penns3dvania Railroad crosses the island, and a railroad bridge and a separate bridge for street railwa}' and other travel are soon to be built from the island to the Virginia shore. THE RIVER FRONT. From the foot of Fourteenth street to the Anacostia River the river frontage is owned by the United States. The space for eleven blocks is occupied by wharves now occupied by private parties; the remainder of the frontage is used for Government purposes and may readily be turned into park uses without detriment to its present use for barracks. The establishment of the title of the United States in the wharf property is so recent that the Government is not yet in actual posses- sion, but is now taking steps to obtain possession. Man37^ of the wharves must be renewed at an earh^ date. BRIDGES. Connecticut avemie hridge. — There are now under construction two important bridges across Rock Creek. The Connecticut avenue bridge will form a part of the park scheme. The bridge is to rest on ten piers, which are now in course of construction. The plans were drawn b}" George S. Morison, but the construction of the bridge is in charge of the engineer department of the District government. It has not been decided delinitel}^ whether the superstructure will be of stone or concrete.^ Massachusetts avenue hridge. — The Massachusetts avenue bridge is to be a 50-foot masonry arch 230 feet long, to cost 1225,000 or more, according to the pavement used. The plan involves carrying the fuM width of Massachusetts avenue across the creek. ^ Ml,105,957 to the owners of j)roperty within the limits of the i3roposed park. This amount, together with $240,000 j)aid to property owners who had accepted the prices offered by the commis- sion, exceeded the api^ropriation of 11,200,000 made for the park. To be more specific, a survey was made during the winter of 1890 and 1891 under the terms of the act. This survey mapped out for park purposes 1,957 acres of land situated as follows: Beginning at the Klingle Ford road, a strip of land follows both sides of the creek and 1,200 feet wide to the Broad Branch and Blag- den Mill roads. Above these points it was bounded on the east by Sixteenth street extended and Blagden Mill road; on the north by the District line, and on the west by the Daniels, Military, and Broad Branch roads. This map, representing 1,957 acres, was approved by the President and filed among the land records of the District of Columbia on April U, 1891. The amount appropriated for the purchase of the park being insuf- 108 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ficient under the appraisement, the park boundaries were reduced, in order to fall within the limit of available funds. This was done by dropping part of Rosemont Park, a number of tracts along Sixteenth street extended, and portions of the Van Riswick, Brown, and other tracts near the District line. The purchase was completed on April 13, 1892. Other pieces were subsequently added by purchase and donation, and the park now includes a little more than 1,600 acres. "After all manner of trials and tribulations," said a local paper, "and in the face of unreasonable opposition," (Appendix H) the effort to provide this city with a park worthy of the nation's capital has reached a triumphant conclusion. President Cleveland having approved the recommendation of the Rock Creek Park Commission as to the final jjurchase of the necessary lands. This concluding pur- chase exhausts the money which Congress placed at the disposal of the commission, and although the total acreage of the park is about 300 acres less than the commission hoped to be able to secure, the results as a whole are highly satisfactory. With the acquisition of the several tracts referred to in the request of the commission it will be possible for those who will control park improvements to provide an artificial lake, which will at once be a source of pleasure and an aid to sanitation; for, without material lowering of the lake waters, lower Rock Creek — now nothing but a sewer — may be flushed as fre- quently and as effectively as the authorities desire. The Washington of to-day is grateful to those whose energy is responsible for the crea- tion of the parK: ; the Washington of fifty years hence will be much more grateful. However great the credit awarded to the citizens whose efforts resulted in securing the park legislation, no small debt of gratitude is due by the public to the park commissioners and espe- cially to its representative in court, Mr. R. Ross Perry, for a steady loyalty to the trust imposed in them and a vigorous management of the affairs intrusted to them that preserved what the citizens commit- tee had won." Thus this most beautiful Rock Creek Valley was acquired and set apart as a public park or pleasure ground for the benefit and enjoy- ment of the people of the United States; Rock Creek, the banks of which Joel Barlow selected for his home; Rock Creek, the stream on which John Quincy Adams built and, in the wildest nature, free from toil and care, made a home; Rock Creek, where the lamented scient- ist, George Brown Goode, sought much-needed rest; Rock Creek, which was the delight in life of John Howard Payne and on its banks in death he finallj^ found his "Home, Sweet Home." IMPROVEMENT OP ROCK CREEK PARK. On October 9, 1896, I had the honor of introducing a resolution in the Brightwood Citizens' Association in regard to the improvement of Rock Creek Park. The Evening Star's report of the meeting is in part as follows: PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 109 ROCK CREEK PARK. The president caUed Dr. C. G. Stone to the chair, and then followed the most important feature of the evening. President Cox stated that, in his judgment, the question of the improvement of Rock Creek Park should receive the imme- diate attention of the association. He said in part: ' ' Over six years have elapsed since the act establishing the Rock Creek Park became a law. Five years have passed since its present boundaries were finally determined upon. Yet, so far as I am aware, not a single dollar has been spent in making it accessible to the people for whose recreation it was purchased; and to-day the romantic valley of Rock Creek, only a few hundred feet west of us. with all its natural beauty, remains as wild and almost as unobserved as it did when prehistoric men made their stone axes in the quarries on its banks. "If this magnificent natural park is to be what it was intended to be, it is now full time that roads and pathways be made to and through it; but, in absolute harmony with all its wild surroundings, until this is done, our people can not have free access to this the most beautiful region possessed by any city or any country for a park. With a view of calling the attention of the Commissioners and Congress to this matter, and with a view of making the park symmetrical and even more picturesque — a park worthy of a great people — I offer the following resolutions: " ■ Whereas under the act of September 27, 1890, authorizing the establishment of a public park in the District of Columbia, there was acquired a most pictur- esque tract of land lying on both sides of Rock Creek, from Klingie Ford bridge to the State line of Maryland, which, under the law. is to be perpetually dedicated and set apart as a pleasure ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States ; and "•Whereas the said park is inaccessible to those for whom it was created, for want of proper roads and entrances: Therefore, be it " ■ Resolved, That the Brightwood Avenue Citizens' Association petition the hon- orable Commissioners of the District of Columbia to recommend and urge upon the Congress of the United States the necessity of making an appropriation of at least SIOO.OOO to enable the legal custodians of the park to begin to carry out the provisions of the law, for laying out and preparing roadways and bridle paths to be used for driving and horseback riding, respectively, and footpaths for pedes- trians, and also to preserve from injury or spoliation all timber, animals, or curi- osities within said park and their retention in their natural state as nearly as possible. •''Resolved, That in order to make the said Rock Creek Park more accessible and to preserve its beauty and symmetry Sixteenth street should form the eastern boundary of said park from Blagden Mill road to the District line. " 'Resolved That on account of its great natural beauty, the tract of land, about 600 feet in width, lying on either side of Piney Branch stream, from it.s junction with Rock Creek to Columbia avenue, should also be made a part of Rock Creek Park. " ' Resolved, That the honorable the Commissioners of the District of Columbia be requested to make a preliminary survey of the land herein mentioned and an estimate of its cost, and prepare plats of the same, together with such bill or bills for obtaining said land by purchase or condemnation, and submit to and urge the passage of these measures by the Congress of the United States. " 'Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be furnished to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia and to the Senate and House Committees on the Dis- trict of Columbia.''' Mr. Cox illustrated his remarks with a plat showing the boundary lines of the park and the proposed new lines. It was estimated that the land desired to be added to the park contained abovit 50 acres. He also exhibited a series of artistic 110 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. photographs he had taken of charming views in the Rock Creek region. Con- cluding, he said: "This is not a matter limited to this association nor the citizens of the District only, nor to the thousands of visitors to the nation's capital, but to every citizen of the United States, most of whom will visit Washington some time in their lives. Remarks wei'e made by the majority of the members before the final action was taken on the resolutions. Mr. E. T. Bates made a special argument as regarded the parks of other cities and the question of extravagance should the improve- ments be made to the park. He said: "There need be no hesitancy through fear of extravagance in this matter. This city is far behind many of her sister cities in the sums expended for parks wherein the public may seek relief from the heat and depressing effects of asiihalt and bricks. New York City owns about 40 parks, one of which alone cost over $6,000,000. Fairmount Park, in Philadelphia, cost over $6,000,000; Prospect Park, Brooklyn, nearly $4,000,000, and Baltimore, St. Louis, Boston, Buffalo. Albany, Richmond, Bridgeport, New Haven, and numerous other cities have spent enormous sums in providing riiral parks. In Europe the leading cities had in recent years expended great sums in adding to the area of their rural recreation grounds. Why, then, should Washington, the capital city of Grod's most favored country, be unprovided for in this respect? Nature has been most lavish in furnishing the materials, and this magnificent aggregation of natural attractions has been purchased and given a name; but yet to-day only by name is it known by ninety-nine one-hundredths of the citizens of the District, simply because the doors are closed, and it will necessi- tate the expenditure of a few thousand dollars to properly open them." The resolutions were then unanimously adopted. The same issue, speaking of these resolutions editorially, said IMPROVED ROCK CREEK PARK. The resohitions adopted last night by the Brightwood Avenue Citizens" Associa- tion toward executing the provisions of the law for laying out, preparing road- ways and footpaths in, and saving from spoliation Rock Creek Park, thereby making it accessible to the public, will commend themselves to the citizens of the entire District. As forcibly stated by the president of the association, over six years have elapsed since the act establishing the park became a law; yet up to the present time no money has been spent in making it accessible to the people for whose benefit it was purchased. If this magnificent park is to be what it was intended, the Commissioners of the District should incorporate in their forthcom- ing estimates to Congress provision for making the park accessible and commenc- ing the much desired improvements as soon as the necessary funds are available. The second proposition, to make Sixteenth street, or Executive avenue, the east- ern boundary of the park beyond Blagden Mill road is very desirable. In ^e original act Sixteenth street was to have been the eastern boundary of the park>. Owing, however, to lack of sufficient funds the land could not be procured, and* the boundary line was therefore made exceedingly irregular, leaving several small sections of land belonging to private individuals intervening between the line of Sixteenth street and the present eastern boundary of the pai'k. The valley of Piney Branch at its junction with Rock Creek, adjoining Mount Pleasant, is especially beautiful, and forms one of the tew natural entrances to the park. The proposition to acquire this laud, on either side of the stream from the present boundary of the park to Piney Branch road, as an addition to our park system is also to be commended. In connection with the street extension plans of the District of Columbia, Maj. Charles F. Powell submitted a plan connecting the PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. Ill forts of the civil war in the District of Columbia by a boulevard or fort drive. A full description, with map, is pul)lished in the Wash- ington papers of May 23, 1896. Too much praise can not be given Gen. John M. Wilson, Chief of Engineers; Capt. Lansing H. Beach, Engineer Commissioner, and Mr. W. P. Richards, the assistant engineer and executive officer of the board of control, for the intelligent manner in which they have performed their duties and in accomplishing so much for the improvement of Rock Creek Park with the small funds available for the Oldening up to the public of this most beautiful region as set forth in Park Improvement Paper No. 1. The Evening "Star" of September 1, 1900, said: There are drives and drives around Washington, beautiful drives that lead through unrivaled sylvan scenery, turning from one allurement to twist toward another, rising from one exquisite vista to descend and bring to view one even more superb and commanding. No city in the world is so fortunate in such possessions as the capital city'of the world's greatest nation, when the picturesque is considered and the panoramic variety that greets and delights the vision so constantly is regarded, and no matter in which suburban direction the District is traversed, to say nothing of Virginia's heights to the southwest of us, the seeker for the lovely and satisfying is sure to be rewarded most amply. In its city parks the nation's capital is also fortunate above all others, and in a few years it is destined to be endowed even more richly with vast domains of pleasure and recreative places beyond the city limits, while at the river front will be a beautiful breathing spot, which will make all capitals, whether of States or nations, envious, indeed. Rock Creek Park is to be world famous one of these days. Naught else can be its destiny. Its untouched natural beauties are now scarcely in their prime, and will be slow to reach the maturity that in real nature remains perfect so long. Few people in Washington are yet acquainted with this royal principality of the picturesque so near their very thresholds. There is a vague understanding that a considerable amount of unimproved prop- erty lying on either side of Rock Creek, and including the valley of that exquisite stream, and extending from where the Zoological Park ends to the District line, has been purchased for park purposes, but few in comparison to the population have anything more definite about it in their minds. It may be interesting to ^ow, therefore, that Rock Creek Park is twice as large as Central Park, upon which Greater New York plumes herself with so much pride, and that in natural beauties Rock Creek Park is a hundred times much superior to the much-vaimted parallelogram on Manhattan Island. Central Park is 2i miles long and half a mile wide, and contains 800 acres. Rock Creek Park is 5 miles long and at its narrowest part for a very short distance is 1,500 feet wide, spreading quickly to a mile, and contains 1,600 acres. Steadily amd surely it is being improved, and in the matter of drives and roads this is particularly so. Capt. Lansing H. Beach, the Engineer Commissioner of the district, may be justly regarded as the guardian angel of Rock Creek Park. There is a commission, as is well known, that has the park under control, but Captain Beach is the moving spirit in the transformation now in progress, and his effective vicar in the good work has been and is Mr. W. B. Richards, of the Distaict engineer's office. "If you want to know anything about Rock Creek Park," exclaimed Captain Gaillard, Acting Engineer Commissioner, to an inquiring Star reporter, "see Cap- 112 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. tain Beach when he comes back, or see Mr. Richards, his right hand, now. They are the genii of that quarter of the District. " The park is no new flame of either gentleman. Captain Beach began the work of improving the property three or four years ago in a unique manner. There was much underbrush to be cleared around existing roads and similar cleaning up to be done, and he set the chain gang to work upon it. Following that he asked that Congress give authority to expend a sum of between $24,000 and $25,000 remain- ing over from the money appropriated for purchasing the park, and this being granted the money was spent last year in road improvement. This year an appro- PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 113 priation of $15,000 was secured. Captain Beach had asked for $30,000, which was little enough, it would seem, where so much was at stake, but the national legis- lators cut this sum in half, and what he has accomplished and is accomplishing with it is pointed out in some of the succeeding paragraphs. ROCK CREEK DRIVE. The Linnean Hill road, by which Rock Creek Park is directly reached after leaving Park avenue. Mount Pleasant, had a very steep grade — something like 10 feet in 100 — that was both difficult and dangerous for driving. This obstacle no longer exists. It has been eliminated by making a road to the north along and around the side of the hiJl, making a graceful curve, and being taken across Piney Branch over a bridge 300 feet long. When a person has gone thus far in his carriage or automobile, or on his horse or bicycle, or afoot, for the matter of that, if his mind and muscle can be inspired by the beautiful, keep right on and follow the smooth macadam. It will be found to traverse beautiful miles of what is destined to be known the world over as Rock Creek drive. Philadelphians have their Wissahickon drive, which they are proud to expatiate upon. The most loyal Quaker in the brotherly city would hesitate to mention Wissahickon after rolling along this new and glorious drive through the national city's new park. After descending a gentle grade beyond Piney Branch bridge, the road runs down to and crosses Rock Creek to its western bank near the site of old Pierce's mill. Thence it winds through the lovely valley, closely skirting the stream, and the manner in which grades of tediousness have been overcome and natural beauties preserved in the prosecution of the work is a triumph of engineering and landscape gardening as well. Where the drive has been taken along the side of the hill, for instance, it has been built there with material brought from either end, and the unseemly, jagged, angled cuts so frequent in such construction are lacking. In every foot of it, whenever there was faint possibility for such a thing, the natural beauties have all been observed; indeed, almost tenderly so. Still skirting the west bank of the creek, the drive reaches the former site of his- toric Blagden's mill, and here another engineering victory begins. The mill for- merly secured its power from water conveyed to it by a race which was fed from Rock Creek a few hundred yards above. This old mill race has been utilized as a part of Rock Creek drive, and so well has the work been done that no one could tell that it had not been always a roadbed. At the point where the race joined the creek is a bridge across the latter, and to and above the Military road the drive skirts the east bank of Rock Creek. The scenery increases in beauty and now and then winds in and out of a natural meadow sparkling with promise of fall flowers. The macadamized roadbed of the drive does not extend farther at present than the Military road, but the drive itself continues to the upper end of the park, and is a dirt road in excellent condition, and only muddy in places in very wet weather, but at any time the scenery is worth the trip. Work is now progressing on another road, which will connect the drive with the Seventh street road near the District line, thus giving the park a new outlet. Some idea of the easy character of the drive, so far as grades are concerned, may be obtained from the fact that in the 7,000 feet — which is the distance from Blag- den's mill to the Military road — the entire length of the drive being nearly 5 miles — the rise is only 60 feet, and so slight is the incline that it seems to be perfectly level throughout. OTHER WORK IN PROGRESS. The work outlined above, however, is not all that is being done in the park. The Ridge road, which may be located upon the accompanying map, is being rapidly improved and will shortly add another link to the notable network of p 1—03 8 114 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. drives, and a most romantic one. Blagden avenue is also being opened from Sixteenth street extended to the Rock Creek drive, thus giving another new entrance to the park, and doing away with the necessity for drivers to risk the danger of the deep descent on the Blagden road. To see the beauties of Rock Creek Park and realize their manifold character in hill and valley, vista and dell, and at the same time be assured of first-class road surface for any kind of vehicle, one is advised to make his way by the Rock Creek drive to the Military road, up that road westward to the Broad Branch road, and back over the latter, a most entrancing journey to the starting point. A glance at the map will show the route suggested. It is fitting, in conclusion, to remark upon the economy which has distinguished the work done in the park. The cost of macadamizing a road, exclusive of making the roadbed itself, is usually about $2 a foot. The entire cost of road making and macadamizing the drive was this sum per foot. This saving was accomplished by crushing the rock taken out of the road line and using the material in mac- adamizing. In conclusion I submit a map showing the plan of connecting Rock Creek Park with the Potomac Park on the south as recommended by the committee on parks and reservations of the board of trade, also a letter from Capt. II. C. Looker, surveyor of the District, explaining the same. I also inclose a water color plan showing a proposed Georgetown entrance to the park system. I am, sir, yours very respectfully, W. V. Cox. Hon. James McMillan, Chairman, etc., United States Senate. Appendix A. [Senate Mis. Doc. No. 21, Thirty-ninth Congress, second session.] Communication of N. Michler, major of engineers, to the chairman of the Committee on Public Grounds and Buildings relative to a suitable site for a public park and Presidential mansion, submitted to accompany the bill (S. 549) for the establishment and maintenance of a public park in the District of Columbia. February 13. — Ordered to be printed. Washington City, January S9, 1867. Sir: In compliance with the contents of your letters of the 24th and 26th of July, 1866, addressed to the honorable Secretary of War, I was detailed by the Chief of Engineers, with the consent of the G-eneral in Chief, to carry out the views of the committee in regard to the special duty assigned me. In the letters referred to, you requested that an engineer officer be detailed to make the neces- sary preliminary surveys and maps of certain tracts of land adjoining or near this city for the purposes of a public park and also a suitable site for a Presidential mansion, and which, in the language of the Senate resolution of the 18th of the same month, "shall combine convenience of access and heathfulness, good water, and capability of adornment; " in addition to this to ascertain, if practicable, the price of said lands. After a careful examination of the many beautiful localities to be found in the vicinity of the capital, and having caused an accurate and detailed survey of its environs to be made, I now have the honor to submit for your consideration the PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 115 conclusions to which I have arrived. In connection with this report two prelimi- nary maps have been prepared, which will show more plainly than words can express the required information and the respective advantages of the different sections. The Senate resolution would seem to imply that one and the same tract of land should be designated for a site for grounds for a Presidential mansion as well as for a public park; but as it is not definitely so stated, it has been judged l;est by me to separate the subjects. Should such not be the intention of your honorable committee it will be easy to combine the two, where so many splendid situations present themselves from which to make a selection. As it is designed to build a home for the President to which he can retire from the active cares and business of his high office, and where he can secure that ease, comfort, and seclu- sion so necessary to a statesman, it would seem best to locate it away from the constant turmoil of a city life, at such a distance where his privacy can not easily be intruded upon, and still sufficiently accessible for all practical purposes. In the first place, let me consider the subject of a public park. Where so much has been written on so interesting a feature to any large city as that of a park, and where the necessity of public grounds, either for the sake of healthful recre- ation and exercise for all classes of society or for the gratification of their tastes, whether for pleasure or curiosity, has become apparent to every enlightened com- munity, it would seem to be unnecessary for me to dilate further upon the matter, to saj^ nothing of the natural or artificial beauties which adorn the park, and so cultivate an appreciative and refined taste in those who seek its shades for the pur- pose of breathing the free air of heaven and admiring nature. It certainly is the most economical and practical means of providing all, old and young, rich and poor, with that greatest of all needs, healthful exercise in the country. To accomplish these ends there should be a spaciousness in the extent of the grounds, not merely presenting the appearance of a large domain, but in reality possessing many miles of drives and rides and walks, all independent of each other, and either open or protected so as to be suitable for the different seasons. There should be a variety of scenery, a happy combination of the beautiful and picturesque — the smooth plateau and the gently undulating glade vieing with the ruggedness of the rock ravine and the fertile valley, the thickly mantled primeval forest contrasting with the green lawn, grand old trees with flowering shrubs. Wild, bold, rapid streams, coursing their way along the entire length and breadth of such a scene would not only lend enchantment to the view, but add to the capa- bilities of adornment. While nature lavishly offers a succession of falls, cas- cades, and rapids, to greet the eye as the waters dash through some romantic vale, the hand of art can be used to transform them into ponds and lakes as they gently glide through the more peaceful valleys, thereby rendering them the means of pleasure and recreation for boating or skating. What so useful as an abundance of water, or so ornamental when converted into fountains and jets to cool the heated atmosphere? It furnishes, also, opportunities for the engineer and artist to display their taste in constructing ornamental and rustic bridges to span the stream. An attempt has been made in a few words to describe the purposes and beauties of a public park. In no place has nature been more bountiful of her charms than in the vicinity of this city, and all can be found so near and accessible; the valley of the Rock Creek and its tributaries, the Broad and Piney branches and the sev- eral minor rivulets, with the adjoining hills overlooking these beautiful streams, present the Capital of the nation advantages not to be lightl)' disregarded in pro- viding a park worthy a great people. All the elements which constitute a public resort of the kind can be found in this wild and romantic tract of country. With its charming drivts and walks, its hills and dales, its pleasant valleys and deep ravines, its primeval forests and cultivated fields, its running waters, its rocks 116 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. clothed with rich ferns and mosses, its repose and tranquillity, its light and shade, its ever- varying shrubbery, its beautiful and extensive views, the locality is already x)ossessed with all the features necessary for the object in view. There you can find nature diversified in almost every hue and form, needing but the taste of the artist ind the skill of the engineer to enhance its beauty and useful- ness; gentle pruning and removing what may be distasteful, improving the roads and paths and the construction of new ones, and increasing' the already large growth of trees and shrubs, deciduous and evergreen, by adding to them those of other climes and countries. A list of the various trees and shrubs, and vines and creepers, to be found already flourishing in the region described, and also the nature of the soil, will be appended to this report. A glance at the mai) will show the topographical features of the country, and its accessibility to both Washing- ton and Georgetown. The valley of Rock Creek occupies a central position to both, as it lies between the Tennalytown road on the west, one of the most prominent thoroughfares lead- ing out of the city, and the Fourteenth Street road and Seventh Street turnpike on the east, two of the finest communications running in a northerly direction from the other. From these main highways many branches cross the valleys or follow along the banks of the stream; these transverse roads already form beautiful drives. Rock Creek winds along for more than 4 miles through the center of the proposed grounds, receiving at convenient points the waters of the Broad and Piney branches, and several smaller tributaries. For a short distance it courses through a narrow but beautiful valley, then wildly dashes for a mile over a suc- cession of falls and rapids, with a descent of some 8 feet, the banks on both sides being bold, rocky, and picturesque; then passes again through narrow valleys or between high, bluff banks. At many points the creek is capable of being dammed, thus forming a series of lakes and ponds for useful and ornamental purposes. The many deep ravines setting in towards it can furnish romantic walks and quiet retreats for the pedestrian. The larger part of the ground is thickly wooded and capable of great adornment. Here we find the several varities of oak, the beech, the locust, the n:iulberry, the hickory, the sassafras, the persimmon, the dogwood, the pine, with a great many shrubs, vines, and creepers growing, climbing, and trailing throughout the woods. Beautiful vistas, artistically arranged, can be cut through them, exhibiting distant points of landscape, while charming promenades can invite the wanderer to seek cooling shades. Nature has been so rich in her vegetable creation that the plan of transplanting trees of lai'ge growth, which has been adopted in most of the modern parks, will be unnecessarj-. There are some few country seats, such as Blagden's, Pierce's, and Walbridge's, which have been highly cultivated; should it be found desirable to erect the Presidential mansion within the inclosure of the park the first-mentioned site possesses many advan- tages, both ornamental and valuable. Here and there some prominent point offers commanding views of the surrounding country, where observatories can be located, conservatories built for exotic plants, and geometrical flower gardens planted. Back from the stream some level plateaus extend, which can be appropri- ately employed for zoological and botanical gardens, grounds for play and parade, and many other useful purposes. The map shows the most desirable localities, the surveys having been made in great detail. The lay of the land is such as admits of thorough drainage, and the nature of the soil offers all the facilities for building good roads. The granite and limestone rocks which are found outcropping at different points will furnish the materials for their superstructure. In fact, every facility is offered for laying out and constructing a grand national park. The questions now arise as to what should be the extent of the proposed work and the probable price of the land. As it should be one worthy of the capital of the nation, and as the ground can be secured at a reasonable price before being PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 117 occupied by costly suburban villas, it is respectfully recommended to the honor- able eouamittee to purchase at once a sufficient number of acres bordering on Rock Creek to anticipate the future growth of the city and its increasing popula- tion. With the view of retaining as much of the picturesque scenery along the stream and of also embracing the sites of some few of the forts on the north, con- structed for defense of the city, which have become historical, and from the para- pets of which extensive views can be had, I have marked on the maps such lines as may be satisfactorily taken as approximate bounds of the park. In case my recommendations should be considered too extravagant, I have caused a second series of lines to be drawn for grounds of more moderate dimensions. The first tract would contain about 3,540 acres, more or less, and the second 1,800, more or less. As there is so much difference of opinion as to the price of the land, the quality and improvements varying so much, it is a difficult matter to offer any- thing more than an ai)proximate appraisement. As the right of eminent domain empowers the Government to take property, and as such property is the necessary incident to sovereignty, the ciuestiou would finallj' have to be settled by a com- mission appointed by some competent court. The price ranges from §50 to §1,000 per acre. A mean of $200 should amply cover the entire cost. It will be noticed that the southern limits, as drawn, of the proposed park do not approach more closely than necessary the city limits, leaving out. where possible, such sites as would greatly enhance the cost. Avenues leading along Rock Greek to the south- ern limits of the park should be opened. Accordmg to the above figures the larger tract would amount to $580,000 and the smaller one to $360,000. As the work of constructing a park will consume many years, no longer delay than is absolutely necessary should be consumed in the preliminary arrangements for the passage of the necessary laws and the purchase of the lands. The dimensions of the most celebrated European parks are as follows: London. — All parks in and near London, including gardens, squares, and parade grounds, 6,000 acres. Hyde Park, 380 acres; Regent's Park, 372 acres; Windsor Little Park, 300 acres; Kensington, 227 acres; Windsor Great Park, 3,500 acres; Richmond Park, 2,250 acres. Dublin. — Phoenix Park, about 2,000 acres. Garden at Versailles, 3,000 acres; Bois de Boulogne, 2,158 acres; Munich, Eng- lischer Garten, aboiit 500 acres; Vienna, Prater, 1,500 aci'es; Birkenhead Park, near Liverpool. 180 acres. The Central Park of New York, the most important work of the kind under- taken in America, is over 2^ miles long by U miles in breadth, and contains over 840 acres. There are about 9i miles of drives, 94 miles of bridle road, and some 25 miles of walks. The annual sum provided for the expense of maintaining it, to wit, $150,000, is reported to be insufficient. The number of visitors continues to increase with each year; in 1865, 7,593,139 persons entered. Hunting Course Park, near Philadelphia, and the Druid Park, near Baltimore, have also been constructed. The establishment of parks is exciting great attention throughout the land, and adds vastly to the enjoyment of the people. SITE FOR A PRESIDENTIAL MANSION. I would now call the attention of your honorable committee to the remaining subject of this report — the selection of a site for a Presidential mansion. In the memoranda submitted to the Secretary of War by letter of July 26, 1866, you requested "that the ground known as Meridian Hill" and " the estate of the late Washington Berry"' should be particularly examined, as they are thought to con- tain all the requisite advantages for such a site; "also such other localities as may, in the judgment of the engineer," present eligible positions for such a purpose. In compliance with your wish, I made special reconnoissances and surveys of the 118 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. abov»-named places, as well as some others, which offer great inducements, and will now discuss each separately. I. Meridian Hill {Colonel Messmore's estate). — This site is located due north from the present White House on the first range of hills bounding the city limits. It is easy of access, several avenues and streets leading in that direction. On the east it adjoins the lands of Columbia CJollege, and on the west those of Mr. Little. The number of acres contained in this tract is 120, which, added to that of Mr. Little's 38 acres, gives a total of 158. The latter offered to sell to the Government at about G cents a square foot, or $2,618 per acre. On both these estates are eligi- ble building sites, the view towards the south overlooking the city and the valley of the Potomac being particularly fine. At one time some large forest trees added beauty to the scene, but most of them were destroyed during the war. There are no improvements, the old mansion house having been destroyed by fire and the walls are alone standing. North of the site the land is nearly level, only slightly undulating. Although possessed of considerable advantages, there are several objections to this selection in connection with the object in view. Lying just above the plateau of the city and not screened by any belt of timber, it is exposed to the miasmatic influences arising from the marshes of the Potomac. Again, it is too near the city to afford any retirement and repose for the Chief Magistrate. Already the street railroads approach, and numerous houses are being built on all sides of this site. //. Metropolis Vieiv — {Homestead of the late Washington Berry.) — This estate lies northeast of the Capitol, between the old Bladensburg road and Lincoln ave- nue, the latter a continuation of North Capitol street. It is distant from the Capi- tol about 2i miles, and from the White House about o miles. It contains some 350 acres, valued by the trustees at §500 an acre; with the improvements, including a very fine spring ; the whole is offered at $200,000. To the east of it lies Brent- wood, the fine estate of Mrs. Pearson; and to the west Glen wood Cemetery; and Harewood, the beautiful grounds of Mr. Corcoran. In front spreads out Ecking- ton, so many years the homestead of the late Mr. Gales, which contains 130 acres; the price of this land is placed at $1,000 per acre, with $25,000 additional for improvements. Metropolis View is beautifully situated, having a high and com- manding position: it is partially covered with groves of fine old trees, deciduous and evergreen, and possessed of an abundance of timber. A fine spring rises in the place, and two small streams, tributaries of the Tiber, course through it. In nearly every direction the eye meets with charming landscape scenes, and it over- looks the Capitol and the broad valley of the Potomac. This locality possesses many attractions, and is susceptible of great improvement. It is easy of access by some of the finest avenues and streets leading out of the city, and is at a very convenient distance from the most prominent public buildings. Eckington is a very delightful place, but it is not sufficiently high to afford any extensive views. It should, however, be purchased in addition to the Eerry estate, should Metropolis View be selected as the site. The two tracts of land united would furnish am])le grounds to surround the mansion, and also open a fine park to connect with the city on the direct line with the Capitol. The sum total of the valuation of both estates amounts to $355,000, In regard to the healthful- ness of this locality, the opinions of those with whom I have consulted differ materially. Some think that the miasma carried up the valley of the Tiber from the Eastern Branch is v^ry deleterious to health, while others, who have long inhabited these old homesteads, pronounce them to be very perfectly salubrious. III. Hareu-ood {Mr. Corcoran' s estate). — Among the many delightful drives around the city of Washington none can compare with those to be found within the inclosure of this delightful retreat. The grounds are most artistically arranged, and no expense has been spared in adorning them by all the appliances at the command of taste and wealth. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 119 The grounds aro naturally beautiful and undulat.ng, ami all that skill can accomplisli has been applied to render them most charming and picturesque. In addition to the natural growth of vegetation many trees and plants of other climes and nations have been introduced to impart their luxuriance to the scene. The estate covers some 200 acres, but as you follow the gentle windings of the drives and walks the imagination is led to believe it to be of much greater extent. Good roads lead to it from the city, making it perfectly accessible. A fine spring furnishes a plentiful supply of water, and in point of health it is all that can be desired. This spot, originally selected by the proprietor upon which to erect a prince y mansion, is one of the most beautiful situations among the many fine ones in the environs of Washington. It would be a most eligible site for a Presi- dential mansion. IT'. The homestead of Mr. Moncure Robinson. — This estate is now occupied by a brother of the proprietor, the latter residing in the city of Philadelphia. It lies adjoining the lands belonging to the United States Military Asylum. The road which leads out of the city on the prolongation of North Capitol street and passes near the home for the old soldiers almost divides the place into equal parts. There are about 70 acres in all. which the owner proposes to sell at $1,0U0 per acre, with- out the improvements. These he values at §30,000. The mansion occupies one of the most elevated positions in the neighborhood of Washington. An extensive panorama of the surrounding country lies before the beholder. From every point of the compass the eye can dwell upon magnificent landscapes extending far into Maryland and Virginia and rornbining all that is beautiful and picturesque. In one direction the gaze rests for miles on the waters of the majestic Potomac, and in another there are mountains and hills mantled with forests, and plains and valleys highly cultivated. The place contains a large portion of heavy timber, and is so situated as to oflfer numerous advantages for improvement. From its great height it will be far above all malarious influences. There are fine springs in the neighborhood, which furnish an abundance of water for useful and orna- mental purposes. The locality is convenient to both cities. Through Washing- ton several avenues and streets lead toward the road above referred to as connecting with North Capitol street. By this drive a straight-line communication can be had with the Capitol, the distance between the two being less than 4 miles. By the avenues and streets connecting with the Fourteenth Street road and Seventh Street turnpike, thence by Rock Creek Church road, a very direct drive of a little over 4 miles can be had with the White House and the public buildings adjoining it. From Georgetown almost an air line can be had from Boundary street, Tay- lor's lane, and Rock Creek Church road, a distance of about 4 miles. Directly in front of, or south of Mr. Robinson's beautiful locality, lie the very pretty grounds of Mrs. R. S. Wood, consisting of 40 acres. The two must be inseparable should the Robinson site be selected for a Presidential mansion. They are valued at about $1,000 per acre, not including the improvements. The two places can probably be purchased for $150,000. Mrs. Wood's tract joins Harewood on the south, and on the west that of the Military Asylum. The lands of the latter do not belong to the Government, but are in trust for the old soldiers, and contain some 218 acres. A reference to the map will show the honorable commit- tee the peculiarly attractive features, both of position and general convenience of access, offered by the locality described above, containing in all about 114 acres, sufficient for the necessary purposes of embellishment and utility; and, lying con- tiguous to the already ornamented grounds of Harewood and the Military Asylum, enjoying all the charms and advantages of those delightful places, it would be difficult indeed to find a spot more admirably adapted as a retired, pleasant home for the President of the United States. A talile of distances from the Capitol and Executive Mansion to prominent points of interest is also added for the information of the committee. 120 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Table of distances. To Mrs. Hobbie's, (southern limit of proposed park) Residences of General Walbridge and Mr. Brown... Pierce's mill Residence of Mr. Blagden _. Fort Stevens (northern limit of proposed park) Meridian Hill Metropolis View - Residence of Mr. Robinson Residence of Mrs. Wood . Entrance to Harewood Entrance to Old Soldiers' Home From From Execu- Capitol. tive Mansion. Miles. Miles. 3i 3 31 3 41 4 41 3* 5J 5i 3 li 2i 3 3f 4 3i 3f 3 3i 4 3i In concluding this report, I would respectfully suggest to your honorable com- mittee the necessity of commencing the construction of the national park as soon as practicable. It is a grand and beautiful undertaking and should be prosecuted with the greatest energy. A sufficient appropriation for inclosing the grounds purchased, for improving and keeping in repair the drives and walks already con structed, and for the laying out of others should be made. For this purpose $100,000 would be sufficient for present expenditures, I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. MiCHLER, Major of Engineers, Brevet Brigadier-General, U. S. A. Hon. B. Gratz Brown, Chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, United States Senate. Note. — As an appendix to this report Major Michler incorporated certain re- marks "on the vegetation o^ the District of Columbia," by Dr. Arthur Schott. Appendix B. [S. 549. Thirty-ninth Congress, second session.] In the Senate of the United States, January 28, 1867, Mr. Brown asked, and by unanimous consent obtained, leave to bring in the following bill; which was read twice, referred to the L'ommittee on Public Buildings and Grounds, and ordered printed. February 13, 18G7. — Reported by Mr. Brown with an amendment, viz, etc, A BILL for the establishment and maintenance of a public park in the District of Columbia. [Copy of the bill as amended and passed in the Senate.] Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That a tract of land in the District of Columbia, along and adjacent to Rock Creek, embraced within the limits and designations of the survey made by Brigadier-General N. Michler, under the order of the Sec- retary of War, in pursuance of a Senate resolution of July eighteen, eighteen hun- dred and sixty-six, and conforming in its boundaries as near as may be deemed expedient by the commission hereinafter established to the projected boundary lines of the park designated in said survey (which survey and plat, approved by PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 121 the Committees on Public Buildings and G-rounds of the Senate and House of Representatives, and so indorsed, is hereby directed to be deposited in the custody of the Secretary of the Interior) , shall be purchased by the United States for the purposes of a public j^ark, free to all persons under such regulations as to police and government as may by proper authority be established. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted. That for the purpose of effecting such purchase of the ground inclosed within the designated survey, a commission is hereby con- stituted consisting of Brevet Major-General M.C.Meigs, Brigadier General N. Michler, and , whose duty it shall be to negotiate with the owners and receive written proposals for the sale to the United States of their respective tracts of land, or of so many of such tracts or such parts of the same as said com- missioners find can be had upon reasonable terms, and as they may deem neces- sary or desirable for the purposes of a public park. Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That said commissioners, any two of whom shall be competent to act, shall make report to the next Congress, as soon as prac- ticable after its commencement, of their action in carrying out the provisions of this act, setting forth in detail all the agreements for purchase entered into by them, the boundaries and estimated value of all tracts that may be necessary to condemn in consequence of the failure to come to any agreements, and what por- tions, if any. may be omitted from such survey for a park without detracting materially from its advantages. Sec. 4. And he it further enacted. That all agreements and negotiations herein provided for or authorized on the part of said commissioners, in the name and behalf of the United States, shall be made subject to the approval of Congress, and shall in no wise bind the United States unless so approved. (Senate bills of the United States, Thirty-ninth Congi-ess.) Appendix C. rock creek park. June 24, 1886. Sir: Pursuant to the letter of the 4th instant of the clerk of the Senate Com- mittee for the District of Columbia, referring to the Commissioners for their con- sideration Senate bill No. 2584, which authorizes the appropriation of lands in the valley of Rock Creek for the purposes of a public park, the Commissioners beg to state that they have gathered such information as was available in relation to the quantity and value of the land involved, and forward herewith a general plat and schedule exhibiting this information. The plat as drawn shows a park 1,000 feet in width from Lyon's Mills, on Rock Creek, to the boundary of the District. The quantity of land is 919 acres, and its valuation upon the assessor's books, with the improvements thereon, is $109,320. Should Congress decide to proceed further in this matter, important modifications would be made in the plan by a careful consideration of the topography of the several portions of the proposed park. No uniform width need be adhered to. Where the banks are steep only such acreage would be required as would suffice to control the crest and slopes and provide for the construction of suitable drives. Where the elevations lie more remote from the banks of the stream a greater width would be requisite. It is probable on the whole that a considerably less acreage than that given would be necessary, while on the other hand the assess- ments for condemnation might in some cases considerably exceed the valuations as derived from the books of the District assessor. It is believed, however, that the gross amount required for the purpose would be largely reduced by the will- ingness on the part of owners to dedicate sufficient of their holdings to answer 122 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. the requirements at least of the needful drives, the construction and openinj^ of which would immediately and greatly enhance the value of all adjacent lands. The project of the proposed park is one that meets the unqualified and earnest approval of the Commissioners. In their judgment it is hardly possible to foi'mu- late another that would be in every respect so advantageous and advisable. The valley of Rock Creek, while nearly worthless for occupation or settlement, is extremely picturesque and possessed of numerous and varied natural advantages, and its conversion to public uses will secure to the capital a park and drive over 7 miles in length of unrivaled beauty. The Commissioners Vjelieve that at some time in the future favorable action in this matter will certamly be had and that advantage should be taken of the pres- ent wild and unimproved condition of the valley to secure it. The bill appears to meet the requirements of the case, and the Commissioners have no amendments thereto to suggest at this time. Very respectfully, W. B. Webb, President. Hon. John J. Ingalls, Cliairvian Ccmimittee for District of Columbia, United States Senate. (Report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, 1887, p. 55. See also p. 31.) Appendix D. March 2, 186V. Mr. Dibble. A parliamentary inquiry! The Speaker pro tempore. The gentleman will state it. Mr. Dibble. The question I desire to ask is whether a vote "aye "'now is an agreement to an expenditure of $'200,000 for a zoological garden, reported by the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds? The Speaker pro tempore. That is the pending question. The gentleman from South Carolina submitted a motion to the House that the House recede from its disagreement to the amendment of the Senate numbered 124. appropriating $200,000 for a zoological garden, and upon that question the gentleman from Georgia demands the 3-eas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered.. The question was taken; and it was decided in the affirmative — yeas, 131; nays, 98; not voting, 94. So the House receded from its disagreement to the amendment of the Senate numbered 124, and the act passed the House, including a provision for the estab- lishment of the zoological park. District of Columbia act for 1890 (Stat., XXV, p. 808). "Sec. 4. For the establishment of a zoological jiark in the District of Columbia §200,000, to be expended under and in accordance with the provisions following; that is to say: " That iu order to establish a zoological park in the District of Columbia for the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people, a com- mission shall be constituted, composed of three persons, namely, the Secretary of the interior; the president of the Loard of Commissioners of the District of Colum- bia, and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, which shall be known and designated as the commission for the establishment of a zoological park. " That the said commission is hereby authorized and directed to make an inspec- tion of the country along Rock Creek, between Massachusetts avenue extended and where said creek is crossed by the road leading west from Brightwood crosses PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT 01 COLUMBIA. 123 said creek, and to select from that district of country such a tract of land, of not less than 100 acres, which shall include a section of the c-reek, as said commission shall deem to be suitable and appropriate for a zoological park. "That the said commission shall cause to be made a careful map of said zoolog- ical park, showing the location, quantity, and character of each parcel of private property to be taken for such purpose, with the names of the respective owners inscribed thereon, and the said map shall be filed and recorded in the public rec- ords of the District of Columbia; and from and after that date the several tracts and parcels of land embraced in such zoological park shall be held as condemned for public uses, subject to the payment of just compensation, to be determined bj' the said commission and approved by the President of the United States, provided that such corupensation be accepted by the owner or owners of the several parcels of land. "That if the said commission shall be unable to purchase any portion of the land so selected and condemned within thirty days after such condemnation, by agreement with the respective owners, at the price approved by the President of the United Sates, it shall, at the expiration of such period of thirty days, make application to the supreme court of the District of Columbia, by petition, at a general or special term, for an assessment of the value of such land, and said peti- tion shall contain a particular description of the propertj' selected and condemned, with the name of the owner or owners thereof, and his, her, or their residences, as far as the same may be ascertained, together with a copy of the recorded map of the park; and the said court is hereb}- authorized and reijuired, upon such application, without delay, to notif j' the owners and occupants of the land and to ascertain and assess the value of the land so selected and condemned by appoint- ing three commissioners to appraise the value or values thereof, and to return the appraisement to the court; and when the values of such lands are thus ascer- tained and the President shall deem the same reasonable, said values shall be paid to the owner or owners, and the United States shall be deemed to have a valid title to said lands. "That the said commission is hereby authorized to call upon the superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey or the Director of the Geological Survey to make such surveys as may 1 e necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this sec- tion; and the said officers are hereby authorized and required to make such sur- veys under the direction of said commission. Appendix E. [House Report No. 386(5. Fiftieth Congress, second session.] January 36, 1889.- Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed. Mr. Hemphill, from the Committee on the District of Columlna. submitted the following report ito accompany bill H. R. 1'2136): The Committee on the District of Columbia, to which was referred the bill (H. R. 12136) "authorizing and establishing a public park in the District of Colum- bia,"' reports that it has had said bill under careful consideration and recommends that it do pass. By this bill it is proposed to secure a tract of land, not exceeding 2,500 acres, along the line of Rock Creek and in the -District of Columbia, to be perpetually used as a public park. The reservation of this property for the purpose indicated has for along time been under consideration by Congress. On July bS, 18()('). a resolution was passed by the Senate instructing its committee to inquire into a suitable site for a public 124 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. park. At the request of that committee Maj. N. Mitchler. United States Engi- neers, submitted a report, in which he strongly favored the purchase of the prop- erty referred to in the pending bill. (See Mis. Doc, second session Thirty-ninth Congress.) The Senate committee thereupon reported a bill (S. 549, Thirty-ninth Congress) for the acquisition of this land, but it failed to become a law. From time to time other efforts i)i this direction were made, which resulted in bills S. 2584, Forty ninth Congress, and H. R. 3328, Fiftieth Congress, now pend- ing and having the same object in view. These have been supplemented by the more detailed bill now before your committee. It seems unfortunate that the earlier endeavors to secure these lands at their then trifling value did not result in their purchase. It appears to be universally agreed that such public parks are necessary in or near large cities, and the result has been that practically all cities of consequence, both in Europe and in this country, and especially all capitals, are in the enjoyment of such pleasure grounds. The foresight indicated by the founders of this capital city in laying out broad avenues and reservations has been already amply justified by the harmonious development of these advantages by persons from all sections of the country. The present condition of the District of Columbia and its evident future admon- ish us that provision should at once be made for such a park as the population of a large and prosperous capital city demands. There are several persuasive reasons why the pending bill should pass, and which will be adverted to briefly. The present owners of the bulk of the lands proposed to be taken have held them for a generation or more. Several fortunate results follow from this con- dition of things: (1) These owners can afford to sell the property at its intrinsic value, and with- out adding the profits of intermediate speculative purchasers, but each passing year must increase their intrinsic value. (2) There having been but few sales there have been but few trees destroyed to make room for lawns and building sites, and there are practically no costly improvements to be now paid for. (3) The extraordinary natural beauty of the proposed park has thus far been preserved, but its subdivision and the subdivision of portions of it would undoubt- edly result in great injury in this direction. The proposed legislation expressly secures the protection of the trees and other natural attractions in the park. (4) Rock Creek drains a large section of the country practically, and flows through the city of Washington. If residences should be placed along its banks the sewerage would be emptied into that stream and necessarily endanger the health of this city. The consequence would be either that this continuous risk must exist or that this picturesque creek must be covered in and used exclusively as a sewer. That portion of the creek along which dwelling houses have already been built is now an open sewer flowing through the city, from which disagreeable and nox- ious odors constantly rise, greatly to the detriment of the health of the people along its banks, and to the injury of property in that section; and in the opinion of your committee the time is near at hand when this portion of the creek must be covered over or some other mode of protection adopted, at a cost of many thou- sand dollars. The preservation of both banks of Rock Creek, as proposed in the pending bill, will at once avoid this danger and cost and preserve the existing beauty of a large territory. Looking at this measure merely as a practical business matter it seems to be wise. Such a preservation of the natural beauties of a section so near the city will conduce greatly to the physical as well as the moral improvement of the people. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 125 •' It is certainly the most economical and practicable means of providing all, old and young, rich and poor, with the greatest of all needs, healthy exercise in the open country." In the passage of this bill by Congress nothing more will be done, and in fact not as much as has already been done in many other cities of this and other countries. In the report of the park commissioners of the city of Boston for 1886 it is stated: ' ' Twent J'' years ago there were but two well-advanced rural parks in America; now there are more than twenty. Every city that was then at a parallel stage in the discussion of a x^ark project with Boston now has the project in a large degree realized, and is enjoying the profits of it. * * * London and Paris, Brussels and Liverpool, have each in a generation twice doubled the area of their rural recreation grounds. All the cities of the British Islands thirty years ago pos- sessed but four parks adapted to rural recreations; they now hold thirty, as large in areaage as Franklin Park in Boston. "" There is an impression with some that the civilized world has been swept by a ruinous rage for parks; but not an instance is known of a park adapted to pro- vide rural recreation that is not regarded by those who are paying for it as well worth all it has cost. No city possessed of a rural park regrets its purchase. Dur- ing the last year New York City, which has the largest and costliest experience of park making of any city in the world, has been purchasing land for six additional parks, averaging 600 acres each in area. Chicago has six rural parks, in each of which large works of construction have been completed, and are found valuable beyond expectation. Even smaller cities than Boston, such as New Haven, Bridgeport, Albany, Buf- falo, and Montreal, have been provided with rural parks. The city of Baltimore paid for Druid Hill Park $698,000; and it has, besides, four other smaller parks. Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, was secured at a cost, in round numbers, of §6,300.000. Central Park, New York City, was purchased for the sum of $6,253,033.55. The city has, in addition, thirty-eight other parks. In Brooklyn, Prospect Park was acquired at a cost of $3,919,370.70. St. Louis has a number of parks, the largest of which was purchased for the sum of $849,- 058.61. The total acreage of parks in this city is 1,788.59 acres; and, though much of the land was donated, the cost of same amounts to $1,309,944.06 actually paid. The ground for the use of a national park in this city can now be condemned at a reasonable cost, and prompt action will not only save many thousands of dol- lars, but prevent the destruction of the natural beauties of the country along Rock Creek, which are second to those of no other locality adjacent to any city in the world. The pending bill seems to provide an extremely satisfactory mode of acquiring title to the land. The process by which the condemnation is effected is the same as that adopted by Congress in respect to the land recentlj' secured as a Library site near the Capitol. Whatever tjuestions may have arisen in respect to pro- ceedings under the latter bill have been settled by the general term of the supreme court of the District of Columbia. It is hoped and believed that the same satis- factory result will be reached in the proceedings under the bill now under con- sideration. Your committee recommend that the blank in line 5, section 7, of the bill be filled in by inserting the words " fifteen hundred thousand," and that in section 7, line 9, alter tne word act, insert -'as also for the maintenance and improvement of said park." As thus amended the committee recommend that the bill pass. 126 park system of the district of columbia. Appendix F. [See Statutes at Large 1889-1891, Vol. 26, pp. 492-495.] [Public— No. 297.] AN ACT authorizing the establishing of a public park in the District of Columbia. Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That a tract of land lying on both sides of Rock Creek, beginning at Klingle Ford Bridge, and running northwardly, following the course of said creek, of a width not less at any point than six hundred feet, nor more than twelve hundred feet, including the bed of the creek, of which not less than two hundred feet shall be on either side of said creek, south of Broad Branch road and Blagden Mill road and of such greater width north of said roads as the commissioners designated in this act may select, shall be secured, as hereinafter set out, and be perpetually dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasure ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States, to be known by the name of Rock Creek Park: Provided, lioii-ever. That the whole tract so to be selected and condemned under the provisions of this act shall not exceed two thousand acres nor the total cost thereof exceed the amount of money herein appropriated. Sec. 2. That the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army, the Engineer Commissioner of the District of Columbia, and three citizens to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, be, and they are hereby, created a commission to select the land for said park, of the (quantity and within the limits aforesaid, and to have the same surveyed by the assistant to the said Engineer Commissioner of the District of Columbia in charge of public high- ways, which said assistant shall also act as executive officer to the said commission. Sec. ;!. That the said commission shall cause to be made an accurate map of said Rock Creek Park, showing the location, quantity, and character of each parcel of private property to be taken for such purpose, with the names of the respective owners inscribed thereon, which map shall be filed and rei'orded in the pTiblic records of the District of Columbia, and from and after the date of filing" said map the several tracts and parcels of land embraced in said Rock Creek Park shall be held as condemned for public uses, and the title thereof vested in the United States, subject to the payment of just compensation, to be determined by said commis- sion, and approved by the President of the United States: Provided, That such compensation be accepted by the owner or owners of the several parcels of land. That if the said commission shall be unable by agreement with the respective owners to imrchase all of the land so selected and condemned within thirty days after such condemnation, at the price approved by the President of the United States, it shall, at the expiration of such period of thirty days, make application to the supreme court of the District of Columbia, by petition, at a general or spe- cial term, for an assessment of the value of such land as it has been unable to purchase. Said petition shall contain a particular description of the property selected and condemned, with the name of the owner or owners thereof, if known, and their residences, as far as the same may be ascertained, together with a copy of the recorded map of the park; and the said court is hereby authorized and required, upon such application, without delay, to notify the owners and occupants of the land, if known, by personal service, and if unknown, by service by publication, and to ascertain and assess the value of the land so selected and condemned, by appointing three competent and disinterested commissioners to appraise the value or values thereof, and to return the appraisement to the court; and when the value or values of such land are thus ascertained, and the President of the United States PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 127 shall decide the same to be reasonable, said value or values shall be paid to the owner or owners, and the United States shall be deemed to have a valid title to said land; and if in any case the owner or owners of any portion of said land shall refuse or neglect, after the appraisement of the cash value of said lands and improvements, to demand or receive the same from said court, upon depositing the appraised value in said court to the credit of such owner or owners, respec- tively, the fee-simple shall in like manner be vested in the United States. Sec. 4. That said court may direct the time and manner in which possession of the property condemned shall be taken or delivered, and may, if necessary, enforce any order or issue any process for giving possession. Sec. 5. That no delay in making an assessment of compensation, or in taking possession, shall be occasioned by any doubt which may arise as to the ownership of the property, or any part thereof, or as to the interests of the respective own- ers. In such cases the court shall require a deposit of the money allowed as com- pensation for the whole property or the part in dispute. In all cases as soon as the said commission shall have paid the compensation assessed, or secured its pay- ment by a deposit of money under the order of the court, possession of the i^rop- erty may be taken. All proceedings hereunder shall be in the name of the United States of America and managed by the commission. Sec. 6. That the commission having ascertained the cost of the land, including expenses, shall assess such proportion of such cost and expenses upon the lands, lots, and blocks situated in the District of Columbia specially benefited by reason of the location and improvement of said park, as nearly as may be, in proportion to the benefits resulting to such real estate. If said commission shall find that the real estate in said District directly bene- fited by reason of the location of the park is not benefited to the full extent of the estimated cost and expenses, then they shall assess each tract or parcel of land specially benefited to the extent of such benefits as they shall deem the said real estate specially benefited. The commission shall give at least ten days' notice, in one daily newspaper published ]n the city of Washington, of the time and place of their meeting for the purpose of making such assessment and may adjourn from time to time till the same be completed. In making the assessment the real estate benefited shall be assessed by the description as appears of record in the District on the day of the first meeting: but no error in description shall vitiate the assess- ment: Provided, That the premises are described with substantial accuracy. The commission shall estimate the value of the different parcels of real estate benefited as aforesaid and the amount assessed against each tract or parcel, and enter all in an assessment book. All j^ersons interested may appear and be heard. When the assessment shall be completed it shall be signed by the commission, or a majority (which majority shall have power always to act), and be filed in the office of the clerk of the supreme court of the District of Columbia. The commission shall apply to the court for a confirmation of said assessment, giving at least ten days' notice of the time thereof by publication in one daily newspaper published in the city of Washington, which notice shall state in general terms the subject and the object of the application. The said court shall have power, after said notice shall have been duly given, to hear and determine all matters connected with said assessment; and may revise, correct, amend, and confirm said assessment, in-whole or in part, or order a new assessment, in whole or in part, with or without further notice or on such notice as it shall prescribe; but no order for a new assessment in part, or any partial adverse action, shall hinder or delay confirmation of the residue, or collection of the assessment thereon. Confirmation of any part of the assessment shall make the same a lien on the real estate assessed. The assessment, when confirmed, shall be divided into four equal installments, and may be paid by any party interested in full or in one, two, three, and four 128 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. years, on or before which times all shall be payable, with six per centum annual interest on all deferred payments. All payments shall be made to the Treasurer of the United States, who shall keep the account as a separate fund. The orders of the court shall be conclusive evidence of the regularity of all previous proceed- ings necessary to the validity thereof, and of all matters recited in said orders. The clerk of said court shall keep a record of all proceedings in regard to said assessment and confirmation. The commission shall furnish the said clerk with a duplicate of its assessment book, and in both shall be entered any change made or ordered by the court as to any real e::.tate. Such book filed with the clerk when completed and certified shall be prima facie evidence of all facts recited therein. In case assessments are not paid as aforesaid the book of assessments certified by the clerk of the court shall be delivered to the officer charged by law with the duty of collecting delinquent taxes in the District of Columbia, who shall pro- ceed to collect the same as delinquent real estate taxes are collected. No sale for any installment of assessment shall discharge the real estate from any subsequent installment; and proceedings for subsequent installments shall be as if no default had been made in prior ones. All money so collected may be paid by the Treasurer on the order of the com- mission to any persons entitled thereto as comjiensation for land or services. Such order on the Treasurer shall be signed by a majority of the commission and shall specify fully the purpose for which it is drawn. If the proceeds of assessment exceed the cost of the park the excess shall be used in its improve- ment, imder the direction of the officers named in section eight, if such excess shall not exceed the amount of ten thousand dollars. If it shall exceed that amount that part above ten thousand dollars shall be refunded ratably. Public officers performing any duty hereunder shall be allowed such fees and compensa- tion as they would be entitled to in like cases of collecting taxes. The civilian members of the commission shall be allowed ten dollars per day each for each day of actual service. Deeds made to purchasers at sales for delinquent assessments hereunder shall be prima facie evidence of the right of the purchaser, and any one claiming under him, that the real estate was subject to assessment and directly benefited, and that the assessment was regularly made; that the assessment was not paid; that due advertisement had been made; that the grantee in the deed was the purchaser or assignee of the purchaser, and that the sale was conducted legally. Any judgment for the sale of any real estate for unpaid assessments shall be conclusive evidence of its regularity and validity in all collateral proceedings except when the assessment was actually paid, and the judgment shall estop all persons from raising any objection thereto, or to any sale or deed based thereon, which existed at the date of its rendition, and could have been presented as a defense to the application for such judgment. To pay the expenses of inquiry, survey, assessment, cost of lands taken, and all other necessaryiexpenses incidental thereto, the sum of one million two hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated: Provided, That one- half of said sum of one million two hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be expended, shall be reimbursed to the Treasury of the United States out of the revenues of the District of Columbia, in four equal annual installments, with interest at the rate of three per centum per annum upon tne deferred pay- ments: And provided further. That one-half of the sum which shall be annually appropriated and expended for the maintenance and improvement of said lands as a public park shall be charged against and paid out of the revenues of the Dis- trict of Columbia, in the manner now provided by law in respect to other appro- priations for the District of Columbia, and the other half shall be appropriated out of the Treasury of the United States. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 129 Sec. 7. That the public park authorized and established by this act shall be under the joint control of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia and the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army, whose duty it shall be, as soon as practicable, to lay out and prepare roadways and bridle paths, to be used for driving and for horseback riding, respectively, and footways for pedestrians; and whose duty it shall also be to make and publish such regulations as they deem necessary or proper for the care and management of the same. Such regu- lations shall provide for the preservation from injury or spoliation of all timber, animals, or curiosities within said park, and their retention in their natural con- dition, as nearly as possible. Approved, September 27, 1890. ~"- Appendix G. ROCK CREEK PARK — THE AWARDS REPORTED TO THE COURT BY THE APPRAISING COMMISSION. [Star, December 19, 1S91.] The Rock Creek Park appraising commission, which has been at work since last July, completed its task this morning and made its report to the court. The awards made by the commission aggregate §1,105,957. The Government has already paid in the neighborhood of §240,000 for tracts, the owners of which accepted the offers made by the managing commission. In round numbers, the total amount represented by the awards made to-day and the money already paid is §1,350,000. This amount, together with the various expenses attending the proceedings concerning the park, would, it is estimated, exceed the appropriation of §1,200,000 by §200,000 or more. The report of the commission made to-day has now to be confirmed by the supreme court of the District. In case the court confirms it, it will go to the President for his approval or dis- approval. His approval of the awards completes the condemnation proceedings, THE PROCEEDINGS IN COURT THIS MORNING. A special session of the court in general term was held at 11 o'clock this morn- ing for the special purpose of hearing the report of the appraising commission, which worked until nearly midnight making the final comparison of figures. Chief Justice Bingham and .Judges Cox and James were on the bench this morn- ing. Assistant District Attorney Taggart, Messrs. Jere. M. Wilson, T. A. Lam- bert, James Coleman, W. Stone Abert, and other counsel, and a number of property owners were present. The members of the appraising commission — Messrs. Norris, Burchell, and Seufferle— took seats at one of the counsel tables, and bad a pile of record books, maps, and documents placed on another. When the court opened Mr. Norris rose, and, advancing toward the bench, took from his pocket a parcel of manuscript, and said: "The commissioners appointed by your honorable court as a commission to appraise the lands selected for the Rock Creek Park have performed the duty imposed upon them to the best of their ability, skill, and judgment, and now hand to your honorable court the report of their action in the premises." Mr. Norris then handed to Chief Justice Bingham the document he had in hand, and then, referring to the maps and books on the table, said that the com- mission turned over to the court all its records, including fifteen bound volumes, the briefs filed with them, and the maps. p 1—03 9 130 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA THANKED BY THE COURT. Chief Justice Bingham consulted a moment in an undertone with his colleagues and then remarked, addressing the commissioners: • • I think you are to be congratulated that your arduous duties have come to an end. The court has reason to believe that you have very faithfully discharged your duties and are entitled to the thanks of the community. I know of no further duty for you to perform, and therefore the court discharges you from further service." There was a brief discussion among the lawyers and the court handed the report to the clerk, ordering it to be filed, Mr. Taggart called attentirjn to the fact that the next step was the confirmation of the report by the court, and gave notice that he would in proper time make a motion to confirm the report. Counsel for property owners asked that a time be set for hearing the motion and objections to the report, and it was finally agreed that the court would hear the motion on January 4 next and that meanwhile objections could be filed. The court then adjourned. THE AWARDS. The report of the commission is a voluminous document of 60 foolscap pages, closely written. It sets forth in due legal form the circumstances attending the appointment of the commission and the orders of the court respecting the sittings, and then announces the following awards: Tract No. i.— Owners, Glen W. Cooper, Joseph F. Offutt, Lizzie Towns; 0.867 acre; valuation, $217. Tract No. 3. — Ownpr, Henry Brown; 1.347 acres; valuation, $337. ' Tract No. 4-. — Owner, Levi Brooks; 1.141 acres; valuation, §285. Tract No. 5. — Owner, Thomas Myrick; 2.976 acres; valuation, §1,945. Trad No. 6'.— Owner, John H. Mason; 2.106 acres; valuation, $1,463. Tract No. 7. — Owner, Simon Hyson; 0.957 acre; valuation, $629. Tract No. S. — Owner, Jane E. Mason; 1.080 acres: valuation, $1,450. Tract No. 10. — Owners, Lewis Crutchfield, Martha Brent; 3.049 acres; valua- tion, $1,700. Tract No. 11. — Owner, James S. Fenwick; 57.643 acres; valuation, $26,240. Tract No. 13. — Owners, Mary Van Riswick, Martina Carr, Avarila Lambert; 12.748 acres; valuation, $5,480. Tract No. i^.— Owners, Woodbury Blair, Gist B'air, Montgomery Blair, Mina Blair Richey; 18.026 acres: valuation, $8,112. Tract No. 15. — Owner, Samuel P. Lee; 17.733 acres; valuation, .$9,980. Tract No. 10. — Owners, Mary Van Riswick, Martina Carr, Avarila Lambert; 135,12J> acres; valuation, $10,292. Tract No. 17. — Owner, Alida Catharine Brown; 221.47 acres; valuation, $83,051. Tract No. IS. — Owners, The Rock Creek Company and Henry Wise Garnett and William A. Gordon, trustees; 28.19 acres; valuation, §11,558. Tract No. JO.— Owner, Andrew C. Bradley; 2.11 acres; valuation, $1,372. Tract No. ,?/.— Owner, William R. RUey. 100.12 acres; valuation, §37,599. Tract No. 23. — Owners, Mary E. White, James M. White, Carrie Madison, George W. White, Robert E. L. White, Ida xM. White, Sadie L. White, Fannie A. White; 71.380 acres; valuation, $21,584. Tract No. 5'4.— Owner, William Frank Eaton, 50.401 acres; valuation, $18,900. Tract No. S5.— Owner, Douglas F. Forrest; 9.960 acres; valuation, $4,034. Tract No. £6.— Owner, Augustus Burgdorf; 25.239 acres; valuation, $10,790. Tract No. 37. — Owner, Eleanor T. Meeds; 20 acres; valuation, §9,750. Tract No. JS. — Owner, Mary F. Henderson; 22.557 acres; valuation, $9,399. PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 131 Tract No. ,?.9.— Owner. Frederick Bex: 32.036 acres: valuation, $13,309. Tract Xo. -JO. — Owners, John W. Swan and David M. Davis; 8.008 acres; valu- ation, $4,004. Tract No. 31. — Owner, James M. G-reen; 11.385 acres; valuation, $5,124. Tract No. 3 J. — Owner, Marian A. Ryan; 9.11 acres; valuation, $7,967. Tract No. 33. — Owners, Catherine Freas, Edwin L. Freas, Allen Freas, Millard F. Freas, Levi S. Freas; 40.273 acres; valuation, $33,717. Tract No. 34. — Owner, Alexander F. Matthews; 3.010 acres; valuation, $1,731. Tract No. 35. — Owner, John Saul; 2.081 acres; valuation, $1,562. Tract No. 3G {disputed land). — Owners, MaryE. White, James M. White, Carrie Madison, George W. White, Robert E. L. White, Ida M. White, Sadie L. White, Fannie A. White; valuation, . Tract No. 36 {disputed land). — Owner, John R. Dos Passes: 6.540 acres: valua- tion, $1,962. Tract No. 37. — Owner, John R. Dos Passes; 71.497 acres; valuation, $32,171. Tract No. 3S. — Owner, John R. Dos Passos; 71.527 acres; valuation, $41,328. Tract No. 39. — Owner. Pierce Shoemaker; 245.408 acres; valuation, $207,041. Tract No. 4r>.— Owner, Elmer E. Gist; 1.522 acres; valuation, $2,440. Tract No. 41. — Owners, William Sturbitts, Isabella Sturbitts; 1.484 acres; valu- ation, $1,113. Tract No. JfJ. — Owner, Cornelio O. Truesdell; 15.217 acres; valuation, $10,072. Tract No. 4ii. — Owner, Eliza D. Barton; 3.624 acres; valuation, $3,443. Tract No. 51. — Owner. Helen Davis; 2.859 acres; valuation, $2,716. Tract No. 5^'. — Owner, Ann Hayes; 0.300 acre; valuation, $360. T act No. 53. — Owner, Cornelia G. Jones; 0.353 acre; valuation, $424. Tract No. 54. — Owner, Aaron E. McLaughlin; 2.031 acres; valuation, $2,539, Tract No. 55. — Owners, Henry Clark, Walter Clark, and Philip Clark: 1 acre; valuation, $3,361. Tract No. 56. — Owner, William Watson; 4.956 acres; valuation, $5,952. Tract No. 57. — Owner. Samuel M. Jones; 4.885 acres; valuation, $4,902. Tract No. 5S. — Owner, Louisa Knhn; 0.0009 acre; vakiation 82. Tract No. .5''.— Owners, Cliarles Early and Frederick W. Pratt, trustees: 4.914 •acres; valuation, $8,845. Tract No. '/(■'.—Owners, Charles Early, Charles C. Lancaster, trustees; 2.605 acres; valuation, $4,689. Tract No. 01. — Owners, Charles Early, Charles C. Lancaster, trustees; 6.396 acres; valuation, $11,513. Tract No. 6.?. — Owners, Joshua K. Brown, W. K. Rannells. C. F. Scott, Sara McKeown, A. J. McKeown. Byron McKeown, James McKeown, Scott McKeown, John McKeown; 35.319 acres; valuation, $20,056. Tract No. 03. — Owner, Pierce Shoemaker; 89.262 acres; valuation, $80,502. Tract No. 04. — Owners, Henry R. Porter, Henry F. Douglas; .51. 491 acres; valu- ation, $32,182. Tract No. 65. — Owner, Charles Dickson: 0.275 acre; valuation, $934. Tract No. 66. — Owner, Jane Dickson; 0.259 acre; valuation, 81,234. Tract No. 68. — Owners, Henry R. Porter, Henry F. Douglas; 6.21 acres; valua- tion, $4,192. 13 i PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Tract No. GO. — Owner, Pierce Shoemaker; 5.194 acres: valuation, $4,319. Tract No. 7').— Owner. JohnW. Willis: 5.515 acres: valuation $9,888. Tract No. 71. — Owners, Harriet S. Mathewson, Arthur Mathewson, committee; 1.779 acres; valuation $1,957. Tract No. 72. — Owners, Harriet S. Mathewson. Arthur Mathewson,. committee, Laura S. Blagden (life tenant), 2.269 acres; valuation, .$3,723. Tract No. 7-J. — Owner, Thomas Blagden; 14.107 acres; valuation. $14,812. Tract No. 7^.— Owner, Thomas Blagden; 24,598 acres; valuation, $68,375. ' Tract No. 7.5.— Owner. Pierce Shoemaker; 15.612 acres: valuation, $16,306. Tract No. 70. — Owner, Pierce Shoemaker; 3.023 acres; valuation, $3,919. Tract No. 77. — Owner. Pierce Shoemaker: 5.525 acres; valuation, ,$4,973. Tract No. 7S. — Francis D. Shoemaker: 6.682 acres: valuation. $15,369. Tract No. SI. — Owner, Louis P. Shoemaker; 1.104 acres; valuation, $3,864. Tract No. 83{Rosemount Park) , lot SS-L— Owner, Bernard?. Mimmack; 49,015.12 square feet; valuation. $8,333. Lot SS-?. — Owners. George C. Flenner, Frederick A. Ellis. Part owned by- George C. Flenner, 29,740.67 square feet: valuation, §2,268. Part owned by Fred- erick A. Ellis; valuati6n. $2,491. Lot S3-S. — Owner. John E. Thompson: valuation, $7,418. Lot S3-Jf. — Owner, Jaii;es T. Bradford; 40,871.28 square feet; valuation, $5,314. Lot S3-5. — Owner, Isaac Hazlett; 34,4C.0.29 square feet; valuation, .$3,791. Lot 83-0. —Owner. John R. Francis; 31,147.75 square feet; valuation, $2,803. Lot S3-7. — Owner, Benjamin P. Davis; 23,142.06 square feet; valuation, $2,314. Lot S3-S. — Owner, Sheldon Jackson: 23,071 square feet: valuation, $2, .538. Lot 83-0. — Owner, Sheldon Jackson; 18,683.12 square feet; valuation, $2,242. Lot 83-10. — Owner. James A. Shaw; 19,660.05 square feet; valuation, $3,146. Lot 83-11. — Owner, John E. W. Thompson; 11,405.65 square feet; valuation, $2,053. Lot 83-1-'.— Owner, Bernard P. Mimmack: 12,348.63 S(iuare feet,- valuation, $2,100. Lot 83-13. — Owner, Bernard P. Mimmack; 12,355.26 square feet; valuation, $2,100. Lot 83-14. — Owner, Henry W. Henshaw: 16.630.01 square feet: valuation, .$2,994. Tract No. 5^.— Owner, Harvey L. Page; 6.68 acres; valuation, $44,184. Mrs. Mary Van Riswick"s dower right in tracts 13 and 16 to be deducted from the given valuation of said tracts, $3,098.42. Mrs. Catherine Freass dower right in tract 33 to be deducted from the given valuation of said tract, $1,873.16. Mrs. Annie Lawrence's dower right in tract 47 to be deducted from the valua- tion given of said tract, $301.53. Mrs. Laura S. Blagden "s life estate in tract 72 to be deducted from the given valuation of said tract, $453.84. Mrs. Sarah McKeown"s dower right in tract 62 to be deducted from the given valuation of said tract, $1,668.83. Roads condemned. Military road, ownership in it being claimed by John R. Dos Passos, Pierce Shoemaker's representatives, and Mrs. Annie M. Carpenter. . . $2, 382. 35 Klingle Ford road ... .... 536.00 Pierce Mill road: Eastern portion . 866.00 Middle portion 663.00 Western portion . _ , . 105. 00 Abandoned 245.40 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 133 Broad Branch road. $385. 20 Blagden Mill road _ . . 367. 25 Roads in Blagden subdivision 120.50 Road A 153.60 RoadB . 128.40 RoadC -. .- 65.10 Roads in Shepherd's subdivision _ . 1, 068. 80 Truesdell's private road 642. 75 Rosemount avenue in Rosemouut Park . . 484. 00 WORK OF THE COMMISSION. The commission, Messrs. James L. Norris, George J. Seufferle, and Norval W. Burchell, entered upon their duty on July 15 last, and before taking testimony spent several days in company with Captain Leonard, deputy marshal, and the counsel in going over the various parcels, taking in the romantic scenery, viewing the lines, the improvements, etc.. July 16, 17. 18, 20, 21, 22. 2o, and 24 being thus occupied. For the purpose of taking testimony the circuit court room was assigned them, and quite a display of maps, new and old. were the principal objects in the room. Open sessions for this j)urpose were held from July 29 to October 30 with the exception of Saturdays, and when the testimony was all in the Saturdays were made up by three sessions after hours often till 11 or 12 o'clock at night. It was thought at first that the work would be completed in from four to six weeks, but when the question of the mineral matter was brought in the ses- sions were not onlj' lengthened out, but became interesting enough to attract large numbers of citizens. As is well known, the court in general term excluded the testimony as to the gold and the commission was also directed to omit the con- sideration of a number of parcels to which the Government obtained title after they entered upon their duties. The last week the commission spent after their wrestle with 16 volumes of testimony was not ended till near 12 o'clock last night. PROPERTY OWNERS NOT SATISFIED. After the report was filed many of the property owners or their representatives went over the figures and as a rule owners expressed dissatisfaction with the sums named. A number of owners, however, seemed entirely satisfied. Mr. R. Ross Perry, of the managing commission, before knowing what the awards were, thanked the members of the appraising commission for the faithfulness with which they had discharged their duties. Appendix H. ROCK creek park — THE COURT IN GENERAL TERM SUSTAINS THE ACTION OF THE COMMISSION. [Evening Star, May 9, 1893.1 This morning in the court in general term Mr. Justice James delivered the opin- ion of the court in the case of the United States against Glenn W. Cooper et al., the Rock Creek Park case, granting the petition of the park commissioners for permission to pay into court the amount of awards approved by the President. The court also decided the question raised as to interest, announcing that it had no authority to allow it. Mr. T. A. Lambert, representing the Shoemaker and Truesdell interests, gave notice of an appeal from the decision of the court to the United States Supreme Court. 134 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. At the request of Mr. R. Ross Perry, representing the Government, the court granted him permission to prepare the necessary order as to the cases other than Shoemaker and Truesdell'.s, and it was at once signed. By this decision, it is held, the Government at once acquires title to the tracts in question, the owners of them, in order to obtain the amounts awarded, dealing entirely with the court. To the court they will be required to submit their title deeds, and on their approval by the court an order on the cleric of the court for the money due them will be issued in their favor. The appeal entered by the Shoe- maker and the Truesdell interests will have no effect whatever upon the cases of the other owners. THE DECISION OP THE COURT. Justice James, after reading the petition of the commission and the motion to pay into court the awards, said: "That motion and petition is met by a motion on the part of certain property owners to dismiss the petition for reasons therein stated and on the part of another party by a demurrer. The general proposition set forth in the reasons filed with the motion to dismiss is that nothing further can be done under the statute. It is ceded by the commissioners that this statute must be regarded as a finality, and that no step can be taken either by themselves or by the court or by the President, the validity or effect of v/hich must depend upon further legislation. If it is not prac- ticable and lawful to secure a park on Rock Creek without doing some act which is not authorized by this statute, then the acquisition of a park is not authorized at all. It is insisted on the part of the owuers of some of the parcels which the commissioners now propose to take that this legal impossibility has now been ascertained, and that their authority and that of this court to proceed further in the premises has come to an end. We understand the argument to be substan- tially as follows: It was the intent of the legislature that the land shown on the recorded map was the thing to be taken. The authority to take applied, there- fore, to that land, and to neither more nor less. But the taking of that land is subject to a condition that it shall be obtainable for $1,200,000. As it has been conclusively ascertained, in pursuance of the statute, that the only taking author- ized at all is now impossible, there can be no taking. '' These propositions rest upon the theory that this statute shows not a general intent that a park should be established, but only a particular intent that a certain designated tract of land should be taken for a park, provided it could be had for a certain price. And this construction of intent is based upon the contention that the recorded map was intended by the legislature to be in effect its own designa- tion of the tract to be taken; so that the statute is mandatory to the effect that precisely the quantity of land shown on the recorded map must be taken as an entirety. This we understand to be a fair statement of the method by which the conclusion is reached, that if all the land exhibited on the recorded map can not be had for the price limited by the statute, then nothing further can be done in the matter of a park. "THE INTENT OF THE STATUTE. "It is observable that some of the provisions of this act are inartificially expressed, but when all of them are considered together, as of course they must be, the intent of the statute is unmistakable. We are of opinion that it expresses, first, an absolute intent that there shall be a park on Rock Creek: second, that this park al)Solutely provided for shall not exceed a certain size nor cost more than a certain sum. We are further of opinion that the subsequent provisions of this act, notably the provisions relating to the recorded map, were intended to be in furtherance of the intent that a park should actually be secured, though within restrictions as to size and cost, and were not placed there with the intent that they should, upon any contingency, operate to defeat the undertaking entirely. In PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 135 Othei words, we are of opinion that the only fair and reasonable construction of this act is that it intends that a park, not exceeding 2,000 acres in area and not costing more than the sum which Congress appropriated for the accomplishment of that purpose, shall actually be secured; and intends also that the provisions of this statute shall operate as the means of accomplishing that end. We think the processes of interpretation and construction alike support this conclusion. "The first section of the act provides ' that a tract of land lyin^- on both sides of Rock Creek * * ••" of a width not less at any point than fiOo feet nor more than 1,200 feet, including the bed of the creek, of which not less than 200 feet shall be on either side of said creek south of Broad Branch road and Blagden Mill road, and of such greater width north of said roads as the commissioners designated in this act may select, shall be secured, as hereinafter set out, and be perpetiially dedicated and set apart as a public park and pleasure ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States, to be known by name of Rock Creek Park: Provided, hoirever. That the whole tract so to be selected and condemned under the provisions of this act shall not exceed 2,000 acres, nor the total cost thereof exceed the amount of money herein appropriated." " The appropriation referred to is made in the following words of the sixth sec- tion: ' To pay the expenses of in(iuiry, survey, assessment, cost of lands taken, and all other necessary expenses incidental thereto, the sum of S1.2()0.000. or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated," etc. " It may be added that the X\t\e of this act is: " An act authorizing the establish- ment of a public park in the District of Columbia.' "We suppose it would be impossible to express more distinctly an absolute intent that a park should be established. Unless the absolul eness of the authority given b}^ the broad language of this first section is expressly limited, and is expressl}' or necessarily made to be wholly a contingent or conditional authority by some subsequent provision, it must be held to be the fixed and controlling intention of Congress that, somewhere within the limitations of area and cost, a park may be secured by the commissioners. THE DISCRETIOX GRANTED. " It is contended on the part of some of the owners that this authoritv to take land and to establish a park is reduced to a conditional authority by the operation of the third section, which relates to the map showing the parcels of land to be taken, and providing that, on the filling of that map, those parcels should be held ' condemned " to be taken. It is insisted that the designation which the commis- sioners were authorized to make must be recorded, when made, as if they had been originally designated in the act itself. This contention involves, we think, a con- fusion of principles. It is true that an act done by one to whom authority to do it has been delegated has the same validity as if done by the party who delegates the authority, and that, on this principle, a taking of private property for public tise by one who is authorized by the legislature to select and take said land is as lawful as if the legislature had taken it, and that in this sense the taking is to be regarded as done by the legislature. But the contention in this case is to the effect that, while discretion to elect between several courses was given by the legislature, we are to hold that, when the discretion has been exercised and the election has been made, the particular choice made was one which the agent was originally commanded to make. It is only on that theory that this statute can be supposed to say to the commissioners: " It is our intent that you shall take only the following specified tract of lands, and you are authorized to take tliat tract only in case you can get it for a certain price.' " We know of no principle on which an accomplished selection, which the c mi- missioners had uncontrolled discretion to make, can, bj- this sort of relation, be constructively put into the statute as an original provision to the eff3ct that they had no discretion, but had only authority to do a particular thing; that is to say, 136 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. authority in this case to obtain a tract made up of all the parcels shown on this map and to obtain neither more nor less. It is difficult to understand how the very exercise of discretionary power should work a limitation of the original authority. THE POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. ' ' Another ground of objection is that the selection shown by the recorded map constitutes, at all events, a case of exhausted power; that the commissioners have define 1 and ' located.' once for all, a park site, and now have no further power of selection or alteration of that location. " If this were a correct conclusion we should have before us a specimen of legis- lation Without parallel. The statute authorizes considerable expenditures out of the appropi'iation to be made before it can be ascertained that the whole of the lands shown on the map can not be had for the money appropriated. Many months must inevitably be, as in fact they have been, consumed in ascertaining the values of these parcels. And yet it is contended that if it should appear by the appraisement, after all these expenditures out of the appropriation, especially after some of the lands had been purchased and paid for, that the commissioners had placed on the recorded map more lands than the appropriation would pay for it was the intent of the legislature that thereupon the authority of the commissioners should end and the whole undertaking should come to naught. Is this a reasonable construction of the statute? The second section provides for -a commission to select the land for said park, of the quantity and within the limits aforesaid.' namely, within the limits of 2,00n acres and ^l .200.000 of cost. Is it to be supposed that this general power of selection was intended to lie exhausted by one selection if it should appear that the selection first made could not be wholly carried out by purchase? Authority to select the land for a park was given in order that there might be a park and in order that the lands selected should be suitable for that purpose. It was given in order that an important end might be achieved. Would it be reasonable to hold that authority to reach this end was exhausted by one effort to reach it? No such rule of exhausted power is applied by the courts even to a first location of a railroad line if the second location does not amount to an attempt to construct a road that has not been authorized; but if it had been actually so applied we should hold that this theory of exhausted power was not applicable to this statute. Rules of construction are sometimes spoken of as if there were actual rules of law bj' which the meaning and intent of statutes are to be ascertained: l>ut there are no such restrictions upon construction. The intent of this statute can be gathered from its own provisions and from its special pur- poses, and we find nothing in these provisions or purposes which indicate that the authority of these commissioners is limited to a single exercise of discretion. " It was from the beginning in contemplation of this act that they might find when their selections came to be appraised that they could not obtain all of the selected lands for the amount of the appropriation. We hold that it was therefore in contemplation of this act that in order that they might accomplish the general intent of the statiite. which it was their business to subserve, they should have authority to amend their work by abandoning such parcels as they were not author- ized by the appropriation to purchase. We think the selection which they now present to us. with the approval of the President, conforms strictly to the intention of the act. It is therefore ordered that the motion to pay the money into the regis- try, etc., be granted. "THE QUESTION OF INTEREST. "The other question as to interest, we think, stands upon these principles. There is no statute which applies to the Government as to interest. The statute relating to interest is intended to apply, like all such statutes, only to the people, and we PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 137 have no statute, therefore, to go by giving ns the right to charge the Government with interest upon these appraisements as upon a debt, nor are we the court that can charge the Government with an indebtedness, whether of principal or of inter- est. Then, as to the ground of equity, it is only when there is an indebtedness and an unreasonable delay in paying it that it would be proper for us on grounds of equity to charge interest. This has been a continuous, although a sornewhat long, proceeding, and in contemplation of law it can not be said that there has been delay, because there has been no break, no postponement, and if there has been any great delay or postponement it has been caused, as we understand and have been advised, by the resistance of the owners of the property. Therefore we have neither the legal power to charge the Government with interest, becaitse there is no statute to that effect, nor have we the i50\ver to treat it as a debt before this con- firmation after final proceedings, because the statute does not apply to the Gov- ernment in any case, nor would we find equitable ground for allowing interest, because it has not been caused by iDOstponement on the part of the Government. Interest, therefore, can not be allowed by order of this court, and that leaves the whole fund to be disposed of as a fund made up of the valuations of the property. The order will, therefore, conform to the principles of this opinion.'" Appendix I. Washinciton, D. C. December 15, 1S99. Col. H. F. Blount, Chairman Committee on Parka and Reservations, Washington Board of Trade. Dear Sir: In response to the general desire of our committee. I have prepared the accompanying map to illustrate our project of park development, which has three definite objects, all closely related. The first of these is provision for full communication with park system from the western part of the city lying west of Rock Creek — now wholly cut off from the laarks. The second is the establishment of communication, bj' way of a park drive, between the Zoo and Rock Creek parks and the newly reclaimed Potomac Park. The third, and most important of all, is the reclamation of the lower Rock Creek Valley from the condition of a most hideously unsightly dumping ditch, the extension of the park southward to Q or P street, and the provision for the best entrance to the parks for at least two-thirds of the population of the city. Together with the map. I wish to submit a brief explanation. The scheme in its essentials is the same which I drew up at the request of the exectitive commit- tee of the Board of Trade some ten years ago, but in that period obviously advan- tageous modifications have suggested themselves, demanded by a thoroughly comi^rehensive treatment of the whole problem. From the Zoo to P street, or at least to Q street (the latter in the event of the adoption of my suggestion for diversion of the stream), the entire low part of the valley should be included in the park, together with the beautiful tributary valley running up back of the Oak Hill Cemetery as far as the eastern limits of '■ Clif- ton " — the Elverson place. Together with this latter valley, the snperbly situated property known as the Boyce place, between Lover's Lane and Oak Hill Ceme- tery, and fronting on L" street, should beyond all question be included, as the one place now left of all the large estates on Georgetown Heights which can possibly be obtained as a park for the people, and especially for the younger children of the western section. Nothing of the sort exists in that large area west of the creek, and in the general development of our great capital city the lack of fore- sight of the old founders of Georgetown should now be corrected before it be too late. Another and most important reason for taking in the Boyce place is the 138 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Secfwt ^toifin^ proposed hvafme/if ef Rock Crtek i^alfey fh>m khsa. ' ~ ' B7th.aniji.Stz.-wifhQlijecfofprovi(finqafowgrade,-iato^sfructc!f ■cerf/on wffh Zqo Of d RocM Creek Porfa,- under a// tndycs, wfh tpectfve/y, io^cffter <^fth the elimination afalf unsighHy Tnd M-/M provision for eittrvJ^ utol>S*ruCt*d ouffloift <^Ony I PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 139 perfect ease with which the noblest entrance to the park system now possible could be made, by adjusting within this property an entrance road running ver- tical to U street for some four or five hundred feet, with trees fornjing a vista on either side, and then winding b}^ a reversed curve down into the avenue provided in the highway extension plans, bordering the west side of the main valley, and also into the extension of T street or California avenue westward directly to the Conduit Road at the distributing reservoir. This plan would do away with the proposition to simply widen the Lover "s Lane as an approach to the parks, and with it would obviate all need for heavy tills, which would utterly ruin the pic- turesque character of this remarkably beautiful spot. I submit herewith a design made at my request by the architect, Mr. Walter Peter, for the treatment of the U street front of the Boyce j^lace. In this sketch he has undoubtedly risen to the height of his inspiring subject, and his use of low stone wall and ornamental iron work, and superb gateway in the center, would make a setting and a frame for this most beautiful approach to the park, which in Boston or other progressive cities would have long since been secured forever for the public good. To digress for a moment from my main subject, I would say that the sugges- tion has been made that it might not be a bad idea to utilize the unused high- service reservoir at JJ and Thirty-Second streets as an outlook x>ark, from whose great height and commanding location views of great beauty may be had in many directions, chieflj' of the river. The proposed park above P street would naturally be limited on the west by Oak Hill Cemetery and the projected road indicated in the highway plans, as shown on sketch, and on the east by the Belmont road in Kalorama and the Waterside drive in Belair. This could pass in the rear or east of the old Lyons mill, which should be preserved as a park building for shelter in time of storms and as a relic of the older times of the District. Whether or not the suggestion I make below as to diversion of the creek at P street be ever adopted, the entire low valley of the creek, including also some 50 feet or more on the upper level, back from the present banks, should be included in the park system and treated as per sectional plan on accompanying map. The outer level spaces and the slopes should be planted \vith quick-growing trees and shrubbery, and all raw places covered with verdure, terracing wherever neces- sary to secure stability. A low retaining wall, solidly built, not over 15 feet in height above the water line, should follow the entire east line from P to Twenty- seventh street, and within the space between it and the foot of the slope and on top of the existing Rock Creek intercepting sewer a broad roadway should be made, with part of it as footpath on the top of the wall. This roadway should be for the use of carriages and automobiles, but for no business traffic whatever. A line of public automobiles, running at regular intervals, at a low rate of fare, and reached by easy and broad stairs from M street and P street, would afford an ideal means of access to the upper and lower park system. The grade all the way is naturally perfect. No grade crossings would interfere, as the road would pass under all streets, which could be bridged wherever necessary. Great speed could be attained because of these conditions, and nothing to obstruct the landscape, such as trolley wires, railroad tracks, etc., would have anyplace. A hedge could be planted on either side of the upper level spaces, shutting out from the valley all unsightly views of rears of building lots. Why throw away the very best means of entrance to the parks and connection between the upper and lower system? Practically all sewage is now removed from the creek, which is not in itself unsightly. All that is needed is the reasonable confinement of the stream, practi- cally in its present bed. No freshet could then do any very serious damage. No one can estimate very well the ultimate volume and velocity of the freshets which fifty years from now may come down that valley, whose watershed is constantly changing in character from woodland to improved and smoothed surface. 140 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Ab an alternative scheme for a portion of the line, I suggest the filling up and consequent reclamation of the entire rectangle north of O street and south of Q, west of Twenty-second and east of a direct extension of Twenty-fourth street, effected by bringing the creek in open cut from Q street to O street by an easy curve, tangent at each end to the northern and southern reaches, eliminating the needless reversed curve now cutting so deeply to the southeastward at O street. Twenty-fourth street could then be opened almost directly to Sheridan Circle (abandoning the short spur of Twenty-third now running from the circle), giving another fine high-grade street as good as Twenty-second; and O street, by means of a bridge over the new location of the creek, would afford a perfect solution of the present problem to provide a good highway other than the narrow and dan- gerous P street for heavy commercial traffic. A bridge of light construction at Q street would meet the needs of Georgetown Heights for pedestrians and light- wheel travel on the highest level. This scheme provides for moving the P street bridge westward several hundred feet, i. e., to some point west of the west line of Twenty-fourth street projected northward, the exact spot being determined largely by the determination of the line of break between solid rock and the filled ground upon which P street now is built. So far as the channel for the creek itself is concerned, it is probable that it could be brought through solid rock, which would afford perfect foundation for very steep retaining walls for some distance north and south of P street; the abutments themselves, of course, being carried up directly from the rock. The normal type of improvement could be resumed as rapidly as possible north and south of P street, dependent on the depth and char- acter of the open cut. The property reclaimed and brought to grade by subse- quent fill would be at least double in area that which would have to be condemned for this cut-off. Opportunity would here be presented for very sightly work, the creek and the roadway following, under the bridges at O, P, and Q streets, a fine sweeping curve, which could be accentuated by the treatment of the retaining wall and approaches. Easy pidehill connecting roads can be built down to the driveway from various intersecting streets, the vertical drop being but 35 feet. Iwenty-seventh street provides easy communication with the Potomac Park from the lower end of this plan, and the extreme lower end of Rock Creek should be given over to commer- cial uses, pure and simple. It would seem, also, that no other general plan of treatment would accomplish the desired result with such a measure of economy. Very respectfully, Henry B. Looker. ' SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS, NO. 8. "MEN ON HORSEBACK." June 5, 1901. — Printed for the use of the committee. A PAPER OX THE EQUESTRIAN STATUARY IX WASHINGTOX, READ BEFORE THE COLUMBIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, BY MR. S. H. KAUFFMANX, OX MONDAY EVENIXG, MARCH 11, 1901. Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen: In compliance with the request of j^our committee, it was the original expectation that there should be presented this evening some account of equestrian statuary in the United States. It may be questioned whether or not a paper so comprehensive in its scope as that, and covering so wide an expanse of territory, would come strictly within the purview of a society pre- sumed to be rather local in its researches and general range; but, quite aside from that consideration, it soon became apparent that to do that subject even scant justice in a single paper to be read in one evening would be too great a tax upon the patience, if not upon the ph3^sical endurance, of any audience. Accordingly, the observations offered at this time will be restricted to the monumental structures of the class referred to which have been set up within the limits of the national capital, with, however, some preliminary reference to two examples in other localities, introduced for the purpose of establish- ing the historical sequence, or rather, perhaps, the order of preced- ence, in works of that class on the Western Hemisphere, and which, I trust, may be excused for that reason. The first monument of this order put up and now existing within the limits of the United States — though not the first erected on this continent — was unveiled and still stands in this city. But the one still standing which antedates this one was set up in a neighboring coun- try and in honor of a European monarch who did absolutely nothing to deserve such great distinction. It is an effigy, almost colossal in size, representing Charles IV of Spain, in the City of Mexico. This group was modeled b}^ a citizen of that cit}", though born in Spain, Don Manuel Tolsa b}^ name, and was cast in bronze in a single piece by another resident Mexican, Don Salvador de la Vega. The date of 141 14:2 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. its inauguration was the 9th day of December, 1803, when after many vicissitudes of fortune which well-nigh resulted in its complete destruc- tion, it was unveiled with great ceremony. Yet oven that early example had a predecessor of its class on this side of the Atlantic, although the pioneer group no longer exists. This, the lirst equestrian statue ever set up within the territory now included in the United States, or indeed anywhere on the Western Hemisphere, was one of George HI, of England, which formerly stood in the reservation called Bowling Green, near what was then known as Fort George, at the foot of Broadway, in the city of New York. There it was dedicated with suitable ceremony on the 21st day of August, 1770, that date having been chosen, it was stated, because it was the birthday of His Majesty's father, Frederick, Prince of Wales. A chronicler of the times gives a rather quaint account of the inaugural proceedings attending the unveiling of this statue, in the following words: On this occasion the members of His Majesty's Council, the City Corporation, the Corporation of the Cliamber of Commerce, the Corporation of the Marine Society, and most of the gentlemen of the city and Army waited on his Honor, the Lieutenant- Governor Colden, in the Fort, at his request, where His Majesty's and other loyal healths were drunk under a discharge of thirty-two pieces of cannon, from the Battery, accompanied by a band of music. Another writer of the period records the fact that this was the first equestrian statue ever made of- His Majesty, the Third George, and adds that it was "the workmanship of that celebrated statuary, Mr. Wilton, of London," The group was composed of lead, but was said to have been so richly gilded as to present somewhat the appearance of gold. An old print of the statue in my possession shows the King clothed in his roj^al robes, wearing his crown, and seated upon a rather clumsy looking charger, which is represented in the act of rearing, the equipoise of the group being maintained b}^ the long tail of the horse, which rested firmly on the pedestal. The statute stood in its appointed place for nearl}^ six years, or until the 9th day of July, 1776, when it was destroyed by the soldiers and patriotic populace of the city. The group had probabl}^ been subjected to some indignities before that time, for we find that on the 6th of Feb- ruary, 1773, there was passed an act entitled "An act to prevent the defacing of statues which are erected in the city of New York." But, however that may be, the effigy in question met its appropriate fate as above stated shortl}^ after the signing of the Declaration of Independ- ence, and in recognition of that momentous event. In regard to this affair the father of our country appears to have entertained a view which somewhat reminds one of that held by the New Ens'land o-entleman who declared himself "in favor of the Maine PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. l-i3 liquor law, but opposed to its enforcement;'' for Washington, while undoubtedly favoring the results of the iconoclastic demonstration, thought proper to place himself officially on record as objecting to the precise method or agency employed to secure the end in yiew. In the book of general orders issued b}" the commander in chief, one under date of July 10, 1776, appears, in which the following diplomat- ically worded approbatory censure was promulgated. It reads: Though the General doubts uot the persons who pulled down and mutilated in Broadway the statue of King George last night acted in the iDublic cause, yet it has so much the appearance of riot and want of order in the Army that he disapproves of the manner, and directs that in future these things shall be avoided by the Army and left to be executed by the proper authority. It is related by historians of the period that the stone pedestal of this statue stood in its place for several 3"ears afterward, and the iron fence which surrounded the group still stands, it is said, though some- what mutilated, but the royal rider and his prancing steed were promptl}" chopped into pieces. These separated parts were, however, not allowed to go to waste, so to speak. On the other hand, they were carefully gathered up and shipped to Litchfield, Conn., then a con- tinental military" depot of considerable importance, where thej" were cast into bvillets by the patriotic women of the town to be effectually tired later on at His Majesty's troops. Those fond of statistical details may be interested in knowing that the official reports show the output from this unexpected but timely suppl}' of metal to have been exactly -12,088 l)all cartridges, and that the lead did better service in its new state than in its original form can scarcely be douljted. But to come back to the Federal city. With rare exceptions, indeed with a single exception it nvdj be said, equestrian statues have never heen erected in any country save in honor of so-called royal personages, or those who were either actual or titular commanders of troops in the field. Indeed, in art, the '' Man on Horseback" seems to be regarded alwaj^s and everj'where as S3nn- bolizing either the royal ruler or the actual commander. Happily, with the exception of the one just noted and no longer in existence, all the equestrian groups set up in this countiy in honor of its own favorites belong to the latter class; and, as will readil}' be inferred, the subjects thus portrayed, as well in Washington as in other cities of the countr^^, have been furnished by the first four wars in which as a nation we have been engaged, namely, the Revolutionary war; that of 1812, as it is familiarl}- styled; the Mexican war, and the late civil war. Taking these epochs in their order, it will be seen that we have now in place in the national capital two heroes of the first war, Wash- ington and Greene; one of the second, Jackson; one of the third, Scott, and three of the fourth, in Thomas, McPherson, and Hancock. Naturally it would be expected that the heroes of our earliest war 144 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. should be the first to be thus honored. But, as a matter of fact, it was not so. The first equestrian statue to be executed and set up in this country (after the George III already mentioned) was the bronze group of General Jackson, the hero of the war of 1812, which stands in Lafa3"ette square, in this cit3\ It was modeled and cast from can- non captured in Jackson's campaigns, b}" the late Clark Mills, and was inaugurated with imposing ceremonies on the 8th day of January, 1853, that date being the thirty-eighth anniversary of the old hero's victory at New Orleans. The orator on the occasion was the late Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, then a member of the United States Senate, and the praj^er was offered by Rev. Dr. Butler of this cit3^ In this connection it maybe mentioned that the claim has more than once been made that the equestrian statue of Washington, by Henry K, Brown, which stands in Union Square, New York, was really executed at an earlier period than the Jackson, though formally inau- gurated at a later date. This claim is, however, not well founded. The facts in the case are that the Jackson was completed and set up, as already stated, in Januar\", 1853, whereas work on the Washington was only begun late in the jcsir 1852, and the statue was not finished and unveiled until the 4th of Jul}^, 1856, or more than three years after the inauguration of the Jackson. It is worth noting here, in passing, that Mr. Mills had shown so much promise as a sculptor in the city of Charleston, where he then resided, that a number of persons in that place had contributed a purse to enable him to go to Europe to prosecute his studies as an artist, and he was in Washington, on his way abroad for this purpose, when some friends here persuaded him to forego his visit and undertake this work. This he finalh^ concluded to do. The commission was consequently awarded him in due course b}'^ the Jackson Democratic Association of this citj', under whose auspices the statue was erected, and the agree- ment was fulfilled b}^ Mr. Mills accordingly. Subsequently, however, it was shown that |il2,000, the stipulated amount to be paid him, did not cover the artist's outlays in money, much less compensate him for the time and skill he had devoted to the work, and Congress later on appropriated the sum of §20,000 additional. One-half of this latter amount was paid directly to jNlr. Mills, and the other moiety was to be invested for the benefit of his family, but whether that intention was carried out or not appears to be a matter of some doubt. Few things are easier to do or more commonW done than finding- fault; and it has been considered quite the thing to harshl}' criticise this work. Indeed, it has been the habit of some would-be wits to allude to it as being pretty much ever\^thing that a work of art should not be. But notwithstanding all adverse opinions, the group is yet not without considerable merit. Unfortunately it lacks the size nec- essary to give it due impressiveness; but not a few admirers and excel- STATUE OF GEN. ANDREW JACKSON IN LAFAYETTE SQUARE. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. I'lS lent judges of the horse have maintained that the noble animal is admirably represented in this group. To use the sculptoi's own lan- guage, as once expressed in the hearing of the writer, he claimed to "know as much about the anaton\y and muscular action of a horse as an}^ man living," and he added that the steed in this group was mod- eled, prancing attitude and all, directly from nature, as he had taught the horse to rear and remain in that position for some time. As to the rider, I believe it was conceded by those who remembered the old hero that the likeness of Jackson is both faithful and spirited. Tested by the recognized canons of art, it can hardly be serioush" claimed that this group will take rank with the best works of its class. One conspicuous defect lies in the fact that it lacks sufficient size to give it dignity and impressiveness, and it is furthermore too small for its imposing surroundings. Yet, if it be admitted that it fails to be satis- factory as a whole, there remain some pregnant facts in connection with it that should be borne in mind. It ought to be remembered, to his great credit, that Mr. Mills was a wholly self-taught artist, having orginally been a plasterer by trade; that up to the time he executed this group he had never seen an equestrian statue; that both its con- ception and the task of modeling it were solely his own work; and that, tinall}", the difficult task of casting it in bronze was entire!}^ per- formed b}^ him — all the ingenious appliances necessary therefor being of his own invention and construction. It is doul)tful if the history of art in any country presents in all these respects a parallel to this case. Of this group, as most of those present are doubtless aware, two replicas in bronze have been made, one of them standing in New Orleans, the scene of Jackson's great military achievement, the other in Nashville, near where his ashes repose. The further observation may be allowed in this connection that Mr. Mills claimed as one of the merits of this statue that its natural equi- poise was absolute — that is, that the center of gravity had been so attained in the position of the horse and his rider that the group would rest secure!}' on the hind feet of the rearing charger, without any sup- port of fastening whatever. This is the fact. It is, however, a fact, also, that when the group was placed in position in Lafaj^ette Square the hind feet of the horse were bolted or otherwise fastened to the base or pedestal in order to secure it against the possible effects of high winds or other disturbing or mischievous causes. But that the group was actually self-poised Mr. Mills used to demonstrate very conclusivel}^ b}" the exhibition of an exact miniature reproduction, which was so evenly balanced that it would stand firndy on a marble slab or other smooth surface, and equally so with or without the rider in his place. Mr. Mills's claim as to the self-sustaining equilibrium of the group must therefore be regarded as well founded. Not so, however, his p 1—03^—10 146 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. other claim, that this was the first equestrian statue ev^er erected pos- sessing that peculiar property. A mounted effigy of Philip IV of Spain, marked by the same characteristics, was erected in Madrid about the middle of the seventeenth century, and still stands in one of the fine squares of that cit}'. History, b}' the wa}', records the interesting facts that the horse of that group was modeled b}^ the Italian sculptor Tacca from drawings made b}' the great Spanish painter Velasquez, and that Galileo utilized his scientific knowledge in giving it the proper balance b}^ finding and pointing out to the sculptor the center of gravity. There must also have been another earlier statue of the same class, for I have in my possession an old engraving of a self-balanced equestrian statue of James II of England, in Newcastle-on-Tyne, said to have been composed of copper, which was destroj^ed in 1689. It is, nevertheless, fair and reasonable to suppose, notwithstanding all allegations and insinuations to the con- trar}^ that these facts were unknown to Mr. Mills, and that the conception as well as the means of overcoming the manj' obstacles in his path were entirely original with him. In chronological order, the next equestrian statue set up in this city was that of Washington, also made by Clark Mills, which occu- pies the circle bearing the father of his country's name, at the crossing of Pennsylvania avenue and Twenty-third street. This group was appropriateh" unveiled on the 22d of February, 1860, with most impos- ing ceremonies, which were participated in by an unusually large num- ber of organizations, both civic and militar}'. Rev. Dr. Nadal, of the Foundry Church, implored the blessings of Divine Providence. The orator of the occasion was Hon. Thomas S. Bocock, then a Repre- sentative in Congress from Virginia, and the statue was formallj^ dedi- cated by President Buchanan. The naval, the marine, and the regu- lar ami}' establishments were adequately represented on the occasion, as were all the militia companies of the District; and among the mili- tary bodies from other places which came to add to the impressiveness of the scene were the Alexandria Rifles, the Law Gre}^ of Baltimore, the Charles County Cavalry Guard from Port Tobacco, the Reed Rifles from Chestertown, the Baltimore City Guard, and the famous Seventh Regiment of New York. The incident in Washington's life selected by the artist for repre- sentation in this group occurred at the battle of Princeton, when, after several ineffectual efforts to rall}^ his troops, the General advanced so near the British lines that his horse refused to go further, but stood in terror while the balls from the enemy's guns tore up the earth around him. The heroic rider is, however, shown serene and dignified, as l:)efitted his character and temperament. The sculptor's original conception for this monument contemplated a much more elaborate and pretentious group than we see. It por- STATUE OF GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON IN WASHINGTON CIRCLE. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 147 trajcd Washing-ton us now represented, and it ma}' fitly be mentioned here that his face was modeled from the well-known Houdon head; that the uniform was copied from one actuall}^ worn by him, and that the trappings of the horse were taken from those represented by Trumbull, the painter, who had been his aid-de-camp. But instead of the comparatively low and severely plain pedestal upon which the tig-ure now stands, the artist had contemplated a massive and richly decorated structure, some 30 feet in height, divided into three stories, or sections, intended, as he said, to represent the three great epochs in the history of our countr}'. The high, reliefs on the first or lower sec- tion were to symbolize the countrj' as it appeared when first discovered, inhabited bj^ Indians; the second was to represent the dawn of its civilization; the third w-as to tell the story of the great Revolutionary period, with AVashington's generals represented in life size, on either side. A life-size equestrian group was also to stand at each of the four corners of the pedestal, somewhat after the style of the splendid statue of Frederick the Great in Berlin, the Maria Theresa, in Vienna, and the war monument in Leipzig. But for want of an adequate appropriation the ambitious original design was (perhaps fortunately) never carried out. In connection with this particular group it inny be of interest to note here the historical fact that the first action ever had looking to an equestrian statue of Washington was taken b}^ the Continental Con- gress on the 17th of August, 1783, when. On motion of ]Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Bland, it was resolved "That an eques- trian statue of Washington be erected at the place where the residence of Congress shall be establisheci." Another resolution, ofl'ered in connection with this, provided thiit the* statue should l)e of l)ronze, the General to he represented in a Roman dress, holding a truncheon in his right hand, and his head encircled with a laurel wreath. The statue was to be supported by a marble pedestal, "on which,'' it was provided, "were to be represented, in bas-relief, the following principal events in the war in which General Washington commanded in person, viz: The evacuation of Boston, the capture of the Hessians at Trenton, the battle at Princeton, the action of Monmouth, and the surrender of York." On the upper part of the front of the pedestal was to lie engraved this legend: The United States in Congress assembled ordered this statue to be erected, in the year of our Lord 1783, in honor of George "Washington, the illustrious connnander in chief of the armies of the L^nited States of America during the war which vindi- cated and secured their liberty, sovereignty, and indei^endence. It was further provided that a statue conformable to the above plan should be executed b}'^ the best artist in Europe under the superin- tendence of the minister of the United States at the court of Versailles, and that the money to defray the expense of the same should be fur- 148 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. nished from the Treasury of the United States. Further, the secretary of Congress was directed- to transmit to the minister to France the best resemblance to General Washington that could be procured, together with the fittest description of the events which were to be the subject of the bas-relief. It is needless to add that this elaborate and well-meant scheme came to naught. Indeed, it does not appear that any further action was taken in regard to it or upon the subject to which it referred until after the death of Washington, when, on the 19th and 21th of December, 1799, respectivel}", the two Houses of Congress passed a resolution providing "That a marble monument be erected by the United States in the Capitol at the cit}' of Washington; that the family of General Washington be requested to permit his body to be deposited under it, and that the monument be so designed as to commemorate the great events of his military and political life." Subsequently^ on the 8th of Ma}^ 1880, a resolution was ofi'ered in the House of Representatives providing that the statue contemplated by the act of 1788 should be carried into immediate execution and that the group should be placed in the center of an area formed in front of the Capitol. Another resolution, ofiered at the same time, provided that a marble monument should be erected b}^ the United States in the Capitol at the cit}' of Washington in honor of General Washington, to commemorate his services and to express the regret of the American people for their irreparable loss. To carr}^ these reso- lutions into effect the sum of $100,000 was proposed. When they came up for final consideration the first resolution was amended by substituting a mausoleum for the statue, and the second was rejected. No further action was taken at that time, but at the next session, in December and January following, the matter was discussed at length, and after various amendments had been offered and rejected a resolu- tion was finally passed by both Houses providing for the proposed mausoleum and appropriating $100,000 for its erection. These resolu- tions were, however, never caj'ried into effect, and, as we all know, the remains of the great general still repose at Aiount Vernon. It appears, however, that his widow gave her consent to the proposed removal of his remains. ''In doing this," she wrote to the President, under date of Januar}^ 8, 1800, "I need not, I can not, sa}^ what a sacrifice of individual feeling I make to a sense of duty." It does not appear that either the statue of General Scott, which stands in Scott Circle, at the intersection of Massachusetts and Rhode Island avenues and Sixteenth and N streets NW., or that of General Greene, in Greene Square, at the intersection of Massachusetts and Maryland avenues and C and Fifth streets NE., were inaugurated or unveiled with any formal ceremonies. Both were executed on a com- STATUE OF GEN. WINFIELD SCOTT IN SCOTT CIRCLE. STATUE OF GEN. NATHANIEL GREENE IN GREENE SQUARE. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 149 mission from the United States Government to the distinguished sculptor, Henry K. Brown, and, so far as ni}^ researches throw any light on the subject, it would seem that when completed they were turned over to and accepted by the proper authority or representative of the Government much as a public building or an}^ other work exe- cuted under a Government contract would be, the first named in 1874, the other in 1877. Of the statue of Scott it maj'^ justl}^ be said that while some parts of the group are exceedingly tine, it is not as a whole generally consid- ered entire 1}^ happy as a work of art. The horse, although a most beautifully modeled figure, does not possess the points usually looked for in a commander's charger, and this might well be expected when it is understood that it was modeled from a thoroughbred mare. Fur- thermore, it may be said that the horse is not only of a tj'pe too slight and delicate for the purpose indicated, but also too light in form and size for the ponderous figure that surmounts it. The general impres- sion likewise prevails that the artist made a mistake in representing General Scott at so late a period in life, when his form had lost the magnificent proportions of 3"oung manhood, instead of portrajang him as he appeared, let us sa}^, about the close of the Mexican war, when he was probably at his best physically, and which period might also be termed the culmination of his militar}^ career. Still, an air of great dignity and repose distinguishes the group, which favorabl}^ impresses the intelligent and appreciative beholder and raises it yevy far above the dead level of mediocrity. The cost of this statue was $45,000, wholl}' appropriated b}" Congress, which also supplied the metal there- for by contributing for that purpose a number of cannon captured in the Mexican war. The statue of General Greene is less pleasing as a whole than the Scott, though some of the details are likewise beautifuU}- executed and worthy of all commendation. The Revolutionar}- hero is portraj^ed at the head of his troops and going forward to point out to them a suital)le point for an attack. This motive represents the horse in the act of moving rapidh^, which leaves in the mind of the observer a rather uncomfortable feeling of unrest, if it may be so expressed. The act of Congress providing for the erection of this statue was passed on the 24th of June, 1874. It appropriated the sum of $40,000 for the purpose, and appointed a special committee to carry the act into efi'ect, consisting of one member of the House of Representatives, one mem- ber of the Senate, and George Washington Greene, of Rhode Island. It is a somewhat curious historical fact that the second appropriation made by Congress for a public monument in America should be voted for one to General Greene, and that the purpose should not have been carried into efiect until nearly one hundred years later. The journal 150 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. of the Continental Congress for the 8th day of August, 1786, contains the following record, which is interesting in this connection: On a report of a rommittee, consisting of Mr. Lee, Mr. Pettit, and Mr. Carrington — Resolved, That a monument be erected to the memory of Nathaniel Greene, esq., at the seat of the Federal Government, with the following inscription: "Sacred to the memory of Nathaniel Greene, esq., a native of the State of Rhode Island, who died on the 19th of June, 1786, late major-general in the service of the United States and commander of their army in the Southern Department. "The United States in Congress assembled, in honor of his patriotism, valor, and ability, have erected this monument." Resolved, That the Board of Treasury take order for the due execution of the fore- going resolution. The appropriation thus made was never applied to the purpose intended, and, as has been shown, it remained for a later Congress to appropriately honor the Revolutionary hero, and more than a century after its adoption by the Continental Congress Gen. John M. Wilson, then Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds, caused the elo- quent inscription originally adopted by that body to be carved on the pedestal of the present statue. It may be mentioned here that another still more curious circumstance connected with the subject of this monument lies in the fact that both the date and cause of his death, and the actual place of burial as well, have ever since been subjects of serious doubt and animated discussion. The statue of General McPherson, which stands in the square in this cit}'^ bearing his name, was appropriatel}^ inaugurated on the 18th of October, 1876. It was erected as a tribute to the heroism and memory of that gallant soldier by the Army of the Tennessee, which he com- manded at the time of his lamented death, which occurred during the siege of Atlanta. The preliminary steps to this end were taken at the first meeting of the society of that army, held in the city of Louisville in 1865. The original purpose was to erect the monument in Clyde, Ohio, where General McPherson was born, and where, also, his remains were interred, but wiser counsels ultimatel}" prevailed, and it was subsequently and very properly decided that the national capital would be the only appropriate place for it. The commission for this work was first given to Mr. T. D. Jones, a sculptor of some note, in Cincinnati, but owing to his inabilit}" to carry out the contract it was subsequently given to Mr. Louis T. Rebisso, an artist less well known, of the same cit}^, who completed it in about three years' time, the work of casting the group in bronze being done b}^ Messrs. Robert Wood & Co. , of Philadelphia. The cost of the statue proper ($23,500) was wholly borne by the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, but for the granite pedestal an appropria- tion of $35,000 was made hy Congress. The ceremonies attending the unveiling were attended by the Presi- STATUE OF GEN. JAMES B. McPHERSON IN McPHERSON SQUARE. STATUE OF GEN. GEORGE H. THOMAS IN THOMAS CIRCLE. park; system of the district of COLUMBIA. 151 deut and members of bis Cabinet, distino-uished army and na\\y oiE- cers, a number of iirlitary and patriotic civic organizations, many gentlemen prominent in public and private life, together with a large concourse of citizens. The audience was called to order by General Sherman, and prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. McCarty, a retired army chaplain. After a short address by General Hickenlooper, the statue was formally unveiled, and the exercises closed with an oration by Gen. John A. Logan, at that time a member of the United States Senate from the State of Illinois. Music for the occasion was furnished by the Marine Band. Doubtless the most elaborate and imposing ceremonies that ever marked an occasion of the kind in Washington, or perhaps anywhere in this country, were those attending the inauguration of the statue of Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, at the intersection of ^Massachusetts and Vermont avenues and l-ith and M streets, which took place on the 19th of November, 1870. Many of the principal ])uildings, as well as some of the busv thoroughfares of the city, were handsomely deco- rated in honor of the occasion, and the immense throngs of people in the streets included not only citizens of Washington, but large num- bers of visitors from distant and widely separated sections of the country. The procession was two hours in passing a given point, and the brilliant military display embraced a group of such celebrities as are rarely brought together, including General Sherman, then com- manding the armies of the United States, and his staff; ^Nlajor-Gen- eral Hancock and staff, Major-General Schotield and staff', and Briga- dier-Generals Crook and Augur and their respective staff's. The Navy was adequatel}^ represented b}^ sailors and marines, and the Army by artillerj", cavaUy, and infantry regiments. In addition to these there were military organizations present from Annapolis, Alexandria, Catonsville, Norfolk, and Richmond. Music for the occasion was furnished not alone by the marine and military bands of Washington and the neighborhood, but by others, scarcely less popular or less famous, from West Point, Fortress Monroe, Columbus, Ohio; Davids Island, N. Y., and Frederick, Md. , and the effects of the soul-stirring contributions of these were supplemented and heightened by the ren- dering of appropriate hymns and odes by a choir of more than fift}^ well-selected and admirably qualified male voices. Nor should men- tion be omitted of the large number of civic and patriotic organizations present, which, bv their participation in the events of the day, added not only materially to the volume of the marching throng, but greatly also to the interest and impressiveness of the occasion. The immediate inaugural exercises, which were interspersed at suit- able intervals with appropriate music, were formally opened with prayer, off'ered by the Rev. Dr. Paxton, himself a musket bearer dur- ing the civil war, but at that time ])astor of the New York Avenue 152 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Presbyterian Church, in this cit3^ The act of unveiling the group was titl}' performed b}^ the sculptor, Mr, J. Q. A. Ward, of New York. This was followed by a lengthy and eloquent oration delivered by the Hon. Stanley Matthews, at that time a member of the United States Senate, representing the State of Ohio, and at the close of his remarks the statue was formally accepted for and in behalf of the people of the United States b}^ President Hayes. Those whe are as familiar with this group as the present audience must Ije, need scarcely be told that it is at once a pleasing and excel- lent work of art, perhaps the best in general effect and most spirited of its class in Washington, and as a whole probabl}" not surpassed by any in the country. The artist's idea was to represent hiw subject as having suddenly checked the movement of his horse on the summit of a slight acclivity, for the purpose of making an observation, or overlooking a field of action; and the conception is admirably realized, alike in the pose and expression of both rider and steed. It is understood that some six years' time were spent more or less continuously on the work, for which the artist received the sum of |35,000, wholly contributed and paid by the Society of the Arm}^ of the Cumberland, b}" whom the commission was given, and under whose auspices the inauguration ceremonies were conducted. The pedestal was, however, provided by an appropriation made for that purpose b}" Congress, amounting, it is understood, to about $25,000, and the statue is composed of material also contributed b}" the Government. The fine statue of General Hancock, which adorns the locality familiarly known as Market Space, in this city, is the work of the well-known and popular sculptor, Mr. Henry J. Ellicott, whose lamented death occurred on the 11th of February last. Mr. Ellicott may justl}" be claimed as a Washingtonian, since, though born in a neighboring State, he had spent a large part of his life here, first as a young student and later in the successful pursuit of his profession, upon which he conferred no little luster. It may further be said that local interest in the group is accented by the fact that, though put in bronze by the Gorham Compan}^, in Rhode Island, it was wholly modeled in clay and cast in plaster in this cit}'. This statue was inaugurated on the 12th of May, 1896, with impos- ing ceremonies, in which appropriate parts were taken by prominent Government officials, representing its executive, legislative, and judicial departments, and a large number of military and civic organizations, both local and visiting. The formal dedicatory exercises were opened with a brief but felicitous address b}^ President Cleveland, followed by prayer, offered by Bishop Satterlee of the diocese of Washington. At its conclusion the Marine Band played the "Star Spangled Banner," and when the last strains of that stirring air died aY^ay the immense American flag which draped the group were drawn aside b}^ Cadet STATUE OF GEN. VVINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK IN MARKET SPACE. PARK SYSTE^NI OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 153 Gw3"nn Hancock, a nephew of the general, and as their folds fell away the boom of cannon was heard, tiring a major generaFs salute of thirteen guns. At the close of this tribute an original poem suitable for the occasion was read hj Mr. De Witt C. Sprague, which was fol- lowed in turn b}' the formal oration of the day, delivered b}^ Gen. John M. Palmer, then representing the State of Illinois in the United States Senate. Following this, the air ""Hail Columbia" was played by the Marine Band, and the benediction was pronounced by the Rev. W. H. Gotwald.^ at that time post chaplain of the Department of the Potomac, Grand Arm}" of the Repu1:)lic. If not ranking as a great work of art, this group may safely be pronounced a creditable and satisfactory example of the class to which it belongs. Indeed, it seems to have been singularly fortunate, both in being generally praised and in escaping harsh censure; and tbe pedestal, designed b}- the Mul- lett Brothers, architects, of this city, has been not less fortunate in these respects. It only remains to be added, as a matter of detail, that this group was executed under a commission direct from the Federal Government, and that a special appropriation of 6-19,000 was made by Congress to defray the cost of the figures and pedestal. This completes the roll of equestrian statues now existing in Wash- ington; but, as those present are aware, the list is to be extended at no distant day by the erection of three similar monuments, now contracted for and in course of execution, in honor, respectively, of Generals Sherman, Sheridan, and Logan. The first named of these — that of Sherman^might justl}" be stjTed a child of misfortune from the beginning. It was to have been exe- cuted b}' Mr. Carl Rohl Smith, to whom, after a competitive exhibition of some twenty models, the commission was awarded under circum- stances which produced much unpleasant feeling among artists at the time. This arose from the fact that the committee of award, acting for the Society of the Arm}" of the Tennessee, under whose auspices 'the statue was to be erected, ignored the recommendations of an advi- sor}" committee representing the National Sculpture Society, which had been invited to pass upon the merits of the several models shown. The latter body had selected four designs which they considered better than any of the others submitted, and recommended that the artists who executed them he asked to further elaborate their respective con- ceptions on a larger scale and enter them for a second competition, when the final award should 1)e made to the one then decided to be the best of the new exhibit. Instead of carrying out the advisory committee's recommendation as submitted, the charge was made that the army committee struck out the name of one of the chosen contestants and substituted for it that of Mr. Smith, whose work had not been considered worth}" of recogni- tion by the advisory committee, and awarded the contract to that gen- . 'A PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. tleman, without further competition. His lamented death, however, will require that the work shall be completed by other hands, and it is understood that under a new contract lately made it will be carried out b}^ Messrs. Henr}^ K. Bush Brown, of New York, and Henry Kitson, of Boston, both sculptors of large experience and high standing, acting in conjunction. The Sheridan group is to be executed b}" Mr. J. Q. A. Ward, the sculptor who fashioned the Thomas, already noticed; but when it will be put in place can onl}" be conjectured, since, up to this time, so far as is know^n outside of the artist's studio, but little progress has been made with it. Mr. Franklin Simmons, the artist who executed the Peace Monu- ment group in Pennsjdvania avenue at the foot of the Capitol grounds, was awarded the commission for the Logan statue. This group, with its elaborate pedestal of bronze, is finished and now in place in Iowa circle, but not shown, and will, it is announced, be formall}' unveiled on the 9th of April, coming, with suitable ceremonies. It is stated that President McKinle}' will preside at the exercises and will make a short opening address; that the oration will be delivered by Senator ' DepcAv, of New York; that Rev. Dr. Bristol, pastor of the Metropoli- tan M. E. Church, will have charge of the religious part of the cere- monies, and that the actual act of unveiling the group will be performed by Master George Tuckei', a grandson of General Logan. It is more than likeh' that at no distant da}'^ four more statues of this class will 1)C added to those here alread}" mentioned. At the ses- sion of Congress which closed on the 4th of March an appropriation of $250,000 was made for the erection of a statue or memorial of General Grant, which, it is understood, will be placed on the grounds south of the Executive Mansion. Just what form this memorial will take is as 3"et a matter of conjecture, l:>ut from the ver}^ liberal amount appro- priated for the purpose it ma}' be assumed that it will fitl}' be the most imposing monument in the national capital, the towering shaft to Gen- ■'' oral Washington alone excepted; and it is not unreasonable to suppose that an equestrian statue will be included as one of its features, if it - does not prove to be the dominant note of the structure. At the same session the sum of $50,000 was appropriated bv Con- gress for the pedestal of an equestrian efiigy of General McClellan, soon to l)e erected here In' the Society of the Army of the Potomac, with a proviso that any portion of the appropriated amount not required for the site and pedestal might be expended for the com- pletion of the statue itself. In addition to these two a movement has been started to secure for the Federal city a replica of two equestrian statues set up in Paris last summer— the first that of \\'ashington, by the sculptors French and Potter, which was presented to the French nation by the Washington STATUE OF GEN. JOHN A. LOGAN IN IOWA CIRCLE. .•■*" -v /-• PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 155 Statue Association, composed of patriotic American women; the other hat of Lafayette, by Bartlett, paid for by the contributions of patri- otic American school children, and presented in their name to the people of France. As 3"et these two projects have not reached a point that insures their consummation, but it can hardly be doubted that the lopes of those engaged in forwarding them will be fully realized at no listant da}". AMien the three groups now under contract and finished or partly finished, together with those contemplated, shall have been added to those now in position here, AVashington will possess a greater number of equestrian statues than can be found in an}" other city in the world. AYhether this is a matter of which a peace-loving people living under republican form of government may justl}" pride itself may be an opL'n question, and also whether or not some of our militar}" heroes have been unduly honored in the matter of monuments and statues. But however that ma,j be it can hardly l)e claimed that the Kepublic has adequately recognized and properly honored in this way her sons who b}" their achievements in the arts, in letters, in science, and in statesmanship, in the pulpit, at the bar and on the bench, in the various fields of useful invention, in works of philanthrop}" and in other quiet walks of civil life have conferred luster on their countr}- and illumined the age in which they lived. Let it therefore be the work of this societ}" to urge that the national capital shall in future be adorned not so much by statues and memorials of those who have won fame by the shedding of blood as of those whose lives have been devoted to the no1)lcr work of promoting the welfare and securing the happiness of mankind. In conclusion, 1 trust a few words germane to the subject under notice will be pardoned, though it may not be expected that the domain of art criticism shall be entered in a hurriedly written resume like this, which has already passed the limits of reasonable length. But so much has been said and is still being said in derogation of Ameri- can art, and especially of American sculpture, that simple justice seems to call for a word or two on this point. I do not hold myself to be a competent authority on the subject. It is, however, one in which I have for a long time been interested, and the result of such observation and study as I have been able to give to it is the well-settled conviction that the equestrian statuary of the United States will not, on the whole, suffer greatly b}" comparison with that of any other countr}" in the world. Certainh" it ma}^ be said that if we huve nothing quite equal to two or three of the best groups to be found in other lands, we have, with one or two exceptions, nothing- less artistic or less pleasing than some of their worst; and that at least is something to be thankful for. But not that alone. It may saf el}" be added that, putting good and 156 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. bad together, and taking all things into account, the American people have reason to be proud rather than ashamed of what both their sculp- tors and their painters have achieved in their respective fields of effort. It may properl}^ be added, furthermore, that in the opinion of thor- oughly capable judges who were present, the American display of both graphic and plastic art at the Paris Exposition of 1900, though less perhaps in quantit}'^ than some, was not in artistic qua] it}" behind the contributions of an}^ other country represented there — France, the acknowledged home of modern art, not excepted. This is at once a gratifying fact, and a good omen. It abundantl}- justifies the faith largely and firmly held that there is yet a more brilliant future for American art — of which, let us hope and believe, the national capital shall ultimately be the acknowledged center and chief repository. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS —NO. 9. ESSAY ON THE CITY OF WASHINGTON. [From the Washington Gazette for November 19, 28, 26, and December 7, 1796.] November 8. 1901. — Printed for the use of the committee. To found a city" in the center of the United States, for the purpose of making it the depositor}^ of the acts of the Union, and the sanctu- ary of the laws which must one day rule all North America, is a grand and comprehensive idea, which has already become with propriety the object of public respect. In reflecting on the importance of the Union, and on the advantage which it secures to all the inhabitants of the United States, collect- ively or individually, where is there an American who does not see, in the establishment of a Federal town, a natural means of confirm- ing forever that valuable connection to which the nation is indebted for its liberation from ihe British yoke — that union which assures to every individual mutual aid against the efforts of any who may dare to disturb public order and tranquillity — that union, the shield of the wise laws under the protection of which we shall all enjoy a life of peace, a freedom of opinion and moral equality, in a degree hitherto unknown to any peoj)le on earth — that connection, in short, to which ■''the United States owe the extent and the flourishing condition of their commerce, the respectable station they occujay among the nations of the earth, and which, under such a variety of aspects, ought to be the object of the veneration of every reflecting man. The Federal city, situate in the center of the United States, is a temiDle erected to liberty, and toM^ard this edifice will the wishes and expectations of all true friends of their country be incessantly directed. The city of Washington, considered under such important points of view, could not be calculated on a small scale. Its extent, the dis- position of its avenues and public squares, should all correspond with the magnitude of the object for which it was intended, and we need only cast our eyes upon the situation and the plan of the city to rec- 157 158 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. oguize ill them the comprehensive genius of the President, to whom the direction of the business has been intrusted by Congress. Washington is situated in 38° 50' north latitude, at the confluence of the Potomac and the Eastern Branch. Its limit extends over a part of Maryland and a part of Virginia, which are separated by the river Potomac. The ground on which the city is laid out is healthy and fertile, and so disposed that more than half its circumference has the benefit of navigable water, and although its distance from the capes of Chesa- peake Bay is almost 300 miles, yet the tide rises there 4 feet and the water readily admits of vessels of four and five hundred tons burden. The river above the city is on the point of being rendered navigable for boats of 150 or 200 barrels to the extent of five or six hundred miles. The city will cover a surface of nearly 4,000 acres. The ground is not j)erfectly level, but declivities ma}' be so managed as not only to be rendered almost insensible, but very useful in canning off the water and preserving the cleanliness of the city. This description would perhaj)s be sufficient to give the reader a, high idea of tlie city in general, but the details are of a natui-e to interest and command the attention of men of all ages and in all situations. Washington, as the metroj)olis of the Union, as a commercial town, and a pleasurable situation, may, in every point of view, present the resources that are rarely united. It is sufficient to attend to this estab- lishment under all its aspects to inspire ardent wishes for its success, and to induce one to assign it a distinguished rank among the most celebrated capitals of the world. AVhen Major L'Eiifant conceived the vast and magnificent i)lan, the execution of which must unite true elegance to utility and agreeable- ness, his attention was first directed to the situation now occupied by the Cai^itol. Here he fixed the center of the city, as the city is the center of the American Empire, and he rendered the edifice access!-' ble by more than twentj^ streets which terminate at this point. Each street is an emblem of the rays of light which, issuing from the Cap- itol, are directed toward every part of America, to enlighten its inhab- itants respecting their true interests. Each street is also an emblem of the facility with which the Capitol may be approached, in every respect and at all times, by eveiT individual wlio shall live under the protection of the Union. This ingenious allusion has been happily favored by the ground. The Caijitol has an elevation of 72 feet above the level of high water, and overlooks the city in such a manner that its horizon will be bounded only by the small mountains at several miles distance. This situation is well calculated to elevate the mind of the legislator. It will continually remind him that if from this Capitol are to proceed PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 159 the laws which shall give life and energy to all j)arts of the dominion, it is toward this central point also that the active vigilance of a nation of freemen will be directed. The Capitol, which is constructed on the plan drawn by Mr. Hallet, will be one of the most spacious modern edifices. It will comprehend the halls intended for the two branches of the legislature, the halls of conference, and the different offices attached to them, collectively or sepai'ately. The proportions of this magnificent monument correspond with its definition. The architecture is masculine and bold, the details are elegant, and the ornaments well adjusted. The comi^osition resembles the physical and political situation of the United States. Each part has its local advantages, but its true beauty results from the connection of all its parts. The court of this building is spacious and regular. It enlightens the interior and facilitates the communications. It will be embel- lished with a colonade of the Doric order. In the center will be placed the altar of liberty, around which the United States will be repre- sented under the figure of a young Avoman, which will be closely joined ^ together. This group will be the emblem of the Union. Pedestal statues of all the illustrious men who, b}' their valor or tlieir writ- ings, have contributed to establisli and confirm the Union may be placed between each portico in the circumference of the court, and the niches arranged in the interior of the galleries will be successively filled with the busts of distinguished men, whose lives shall have lieen consecrated by the happiness of their countr3^ The Capitol will be the j)oint from which the Americans will reckon their longitude. The tables are calculated by Mr. Ellicott, engineer and geographer to the United States. The entry to the Capitol, on tlie east, will face a rectangular square, sufficient!}' spacious to contain 50,000 souls on days of public solem- nit}'. The approaches to this are, as has been before remarked, 1 )y more than twenty different streets and avenues; some of them will be 160 feet in breadth, others from SO to 100. This magnificent proportion adds to the grandeur of the Capitol; and the rows of trees which will line the great streets or avenues will render the view picturesque. In the center of the square there will probably be erected a group representing on one side the Uuited States assigning to the President the direction of the Federal city, and on the other the President inviting artists from every j)art of the world to come and enrich with their talents the establishment confided to his superintendence. The principal avenue on the west side will be divided through its whole length by a canal, from which will proceed an immense num- ber of branches, intended to water and cleanse the streets of the city. The declivity occasioned b}' the difference of level between the Capitol and garden on the west will form a carpet of green, which will extend to the borders of the canal and will be interrupted by 160 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. cascades of running water issuing from allegorical statues, emblem- atical of the great rivers of America, such as the Delaware, the Hud- son, etc. , which may be placed on the terrace of the Capitol. The second principal building is the house intended for the Presi- dent of the United States. It is constructed on the plan designed by- Mr. Hoban, and, next to the Capitol, will be the most spacious and splendid monument hitherto erected in America. By its position it is the point of union for more than fifteen streets. The Capitol and the President's House are so situated that the President may have continually in his view the temple where are deposited the laws, the execution of which is committed to him; and it seems that b}^ the multiplicity of the streets and their diverging direction it was in- tended to remind him constantly of the importance of directing his official views to the most distant xDart of the empire; and this ingen- ious allegory, in an inverted sense, will call to his mind, at the same time, that his actions are continually and unavoidably^ open to general inspection. Upon the square in front of this edifice may be represented the founder of American liberty, encircled by his companions in arms, governors, and ministers, i-enewing, in the face of heaven, the oath to maintain the Union at the hazard of their lives. These allegorical groups which continually retrace some duties are doubtless preferable to statues erected to flattery of men, whom im- partial history so often strips of their fictitious virtues. America in discharging a duty imposed on her by gratitude to her first magis- trate will at the same time furnish a useful lesson for his successors, by showing them what she expects from their exertions and what they have a right to hope from her gratitude. Everything around these edifices correspond perfectly with their grandeur; the streets and the avenues Avhich terminate here are of a breadth and extent of which one can not yet form any idea by com- parison. Indeed, no city on earth offers so many points of connection, so spacious, and laid out with such regularity. If the city of Washington contained nothing interesting except these two monuments, so important by their situation and their x)olit- ical relations, what inhabitant of the United States would Jiot wait with impatience for the first Monday of December in the year 1800, and desire to be a witness of the dedication of the two edifices, which will forever be a memorable epoch for America? But in describing a subject so important, it is obvious the resources of eloquence become useless, for that which is reallj^ elegant has no. need of ornament, and the imagination readily supi^lies everything that could be added on the subject. The garden which connects the Capitol and the President's House is laid out in proportions that correspond with the magnificence of those structures. The sj)ace which it is designed to occupy is 1,700 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 161 feet broad, and more than 7,000 feet in length, independent of tlie two immense declivities which extend from the Capitol and the Presi- dent's House to the canal which separates them from the garden. To mention these large proportions is suflficient to give a high idea of the garden which will be terminated by the Capitol on the east and on the west by the Potomac. This river presents itself diagonally, and the prospect extends to a distance, upon an island, which rises 20 or 30 feet above the siirface of the water, and on which the view reposes with most pleasurable sensations. If nature has been lavish in the situation of the ground where the Capitol and the President's House are disposed, the author of the plan has been happy in making use of the advantages, and selecting from them the most fortunate choice. Each point of the whole has been studied, and marked with the stamp of genius, enlarged and accus- tomed to form plans on a large scale. A grand avenue of 2,000 feet breadth, divided through its whole length, a space of water 120 feet wide, and two alleys, each of 50 feet from the middle of the garden, and open the Capitol to view. Two solid clumps of trees, each of 200 feet thickness, and two against the allej's of 90 feet, compose the whole of the magnificent garden. On the south is reserved a space of 325 feet for the grand hotels, which will be constructed along the opposite alley for the purpose of ornamenting it; the street in the rear of the hotels will be 85 feet in breadth. On the north, the houses will occupj^ 230 feet in breadth, the quay, 80 feet, and the canal, 100. The front of the houses which line the opj)osite valley on the north will be disposed in arcades, and the entries of the streets will form so many porticoes or triumphal arches analogous to the whole plan. This series of arches and porticoes will complete a gallery of 25 feet in breadth and about 9,000 feet in length. This gallery, oj)en to the south, will be a winter's walk, the inost extensive and splendid in existence and of which the idea was never before conceived. Treasures of objects of luxury and delight will enrich the whole length of this gallery, which, when completely finished, will produce the effect of an enchanted place, rather than that of a line of private houses. The external decoration of these buildings will be answerable to their extent and position; it will be so calculated as to admit light sufficient for the galleries and magazines. It would be trifling to describe particularly the different objects which will embellish the gallery, the alleys of the garden, and the verdant bower which will be formed in the clumps of trees; yet we may be indulged in presenting an idea of the group which may be placed at the junction of the alleys of the garden, which will correspond with the Capitol and the Presi- dent's house. This group, of a colossal size, would represent all the commercial towns, as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, p 1—03 11 162 PARK SYSTEM OP THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Charleston, etc. , receiving a rapid growth under the protection of the laws and the watchful care of the President. We see that this garden is situated, and perhaps disposed, in such a manner as to become the point of union for men of all countries and all conditions; and were the city of Washington never to extend beyond the two edifices here described, its whole construction would surpass in the elegance of this kind all that the most celebrated cities of Europe can exhibit. The canal which will be opened through the whole length of the public garden, and which communicates from the Eastern Branch of the Potomac, is less an object of ornament and elegance than of pub- lic utility, a great part of which has been rendered necessary by the ground. We can not be too cautious in guarding against the effects produced by enthusiasm and exaggeration. The magnificence of a city consists less in the multiplicity, often incoherence, of objects sought than in a judicious arrangement and a suitable disposition of all its parts. Our admiration for what is not useful is momentary, and art consists in producing great effects without purchasing them by inconveniences which it is always difii- cult and often impossible to remedy. On this principle the canal was intended to facilitate the importa- tion and exportation of articles of the first necessity to and from the center of the city; but it becomes the dignity of the capital that the navigation should not extend to the part of the canal which will be seen from the garden, and that it should be reserved solely to enrich the prospect. The body of water which will be seen from the Capitol may contain more than 500 vessels, and this advantage is an equivalent for what might be expected from a navigation which would hide the garden and impair the rich imagery of the prospect. The canal, viewed as a canal to discharge the superfluous waters, and as an object of ornament and secondary utility, may be regarded as a happy article, corresponding entirely with other parts of the plan. The two rivers, the Potomac and the Eastern Branch, furnish for commerce a harbor of almost 5 miles in length. It is proposed to build a quay throughout its whole extent in such a manner as to leave an interval of 80 feet between the river and the stores; those build- ings will be so arranged as to admit this space; the surface of the earth will be leveled through the whole length of the quay, and so raised above all the high tides as to admit of cellars which shall not be exposed to inundation. In the places where the shores shall be steep and elevated, the first story on the side of the quay will form a level with the street on the other side, so that this disposition will facilitate the conveyance of goods by raising or lowering them, by the help of a crane, which will be attended with no inconvenience, and will render the movements easy and little expensive. We can say nothing of the general arrangement of those buildings, PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 163 as this can be judged of only by the whole view; but they should be so distributed that the whole may present the appearance of opulence acquired by a prudent management in trade. At suitable distances on the wharf, as in the other parts of the city, are reserved places for the construction of magazines intended for fire engines; in the front of these storehouses will be the rooms for the watchmen of the city, and during severe cold an occasional shelter for workmen whose labors compel them to be much abroad in tem- pestuous weather. The real advantage which Washington must have over ordinary cities, which are mostly built without a plan, will be the multiplication of useful accommodations which may tend to the comfort of the indigent and laborious class of people. The parts of the wharf which correspond with the streets terminat- ing on it, will be reserved as the property of the corjjoration. These jjlaces will be appropriated to the entry of vessels loaded with wood, coal, provisions, and other articles of the first necessity. The design of this arrangement is to unite the conveniences of individuals of ever}' class with that of commerce. On each side of the way intended for carriages there will be a row of trees, which besides the delightful prospect and the shade they will afford for men whose business may call them to labor on the wharves, will in case of fire cut ofi: all communication between the city and harbor. One of the great advantages of the Federal City is the abundance of excellent water it everywhere afi'ords. We may observe along the wharves an immense number of springs designed for the use of the shipping and the inhabitants. In front of the 80-foot space reserved for the wharf, each proprietor will have liberty to erect such moles as he may deem necessary to cover vessels from injury, and will be jiermitted to construct small houses as temporary warehouses for goods designed for shipment. A person can not at once form an idea of the beauty of a wharf so extensive ; ahvays convenient and never obstructed ; where the eye will see with pleasure the bustle and activity of industry, without the confusion and disorder that usually perplex such places. As no part of the quay is yet completed to its full extent, it is difficult to give a satisfactory description of it; but those who know the situation will perceive that no obstacle opposes its execution, and it was reserved for the United States to found a city where vast projects may be exe- cuted without encountering obstacles. At Washington will be avoided the inconvenience found in so many modern cities, where not even an attempt has been made to give the wharves a regular form ; where everything has been done by chance, and where things have been directed by the mistaken j)i*ivate interest of individuals, whose par- ticular advantages ought ever to be subordinated to the general interest. 164 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. By removing the vessels also to a distance the Infection of pestilen- tial exhalations from the filth which will collect between the miles will be j)revented. This is the great fault of almost all commercial towns, where the air is confined among the ships and very nigh stores which usually line the wharves — a circumstance to which perhaps must be attributed the epidemic diseases which frequently prevail in maritime cities. The two rivers, the Potomac and the Eastern Branch, do not present the same advantages for the establishment of a harbor; the Potomac is not sheltered from westerly winds, and the ice which floats down in the spring renders this part of the harbor more difficult for the con- struction of quays. The Eastern Branch, which extends only 7 or 8 miles, affords more convenient and safe anchorage. The entrance is broad and deep, and the city of Washington, had it no other harbor than this branch, might carry on the most extensive commerce and shelter an infinite number of ships in tempestuous weather. The commerce of the Federal citj^ proceeds from two sources, which will soon rank it among the first cities of America. The sources are: First, its maritime ti-ade, combined with the advantage of its being the exclusive staple for all the upj)er part of the Potomac, covering an extent of more than 600 miles, including its different branches. This navigation will convey to this port the productions of almost 4,000,000 acres of land, calculating that the products which go down the river are brought from the distance of 6 miles on each side of the river. The second resource for trade which this city will enjoy will be the great number of manufactures which may be established on the two branches of the Potomac, by the Great and Little falls of that river. Their resources are so important as to merit that their reality be demonstrated. By casting our eyes over the map of Maryland and Virginia we shall see that the position of Washington, at the foot of the falls, was the most favorable that could be selected. Thus, placed at the head of the two navigations, it can not fail to become the staple mart of the importations for the consumption of an immense country at the west- ward, and the most natural market for all the productions of the interior. By calculating that the river Potomac and its different branches should serve only for the agriculture of 6 miles of all the lands on each side which are washed by its waters, we shall be able to avoid the charge of enthusiasm, but people who know the country perf ectlj^ make their calculations much larger, and by reason of the approach of some branches of the Potomac they admit the possibility of opening a communication between the waters of this river and of the Ohio, whose navigation is absolutely shut by the Mississippi. By interrupting the navigation by masses of rocks, which will yield only to the efforts of many ages, nature has formed dams which will PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 165 be used for cariying the waters of the Potomac into the canals, which will be opened below their surface. This labor, the execution of which is ordinarily attended with much difficulty, the construction so expensive, and the maintenance so troublesome, is here found com- pleted by the hand of nature and in an immovable manner. The great cataract or fall of the Potomac is 78 feet, and the little fall 32. Suppose them divided into ijortions of 15 feet, it is evident that there may be established on the perpendicular height of the two falls, 7 bucket wheels, each of 14 feet diameter, which may receive the water on the upper part of the wheel. So that there may be as many times 7 machines moved by wheels of 14 feet diameter as there shall be volumes of watei- capable of turning one only of the same kind; that is, if 100 pounds of water in a second, multiplied bj^ the lever proceeding from 14 feet fall, will move a certain machine, it will follow that by means of the perpendicular height of the fall, 100 pounds of the water of the Potomac may successfully fall upon 7 such machines and put them in motion. If w^e take a view of the waters of this river and of its branches, which extend over an immense country, arrested in their course by a natural dam which gives perfect command of the water; if we con- sider that power must result from a small volume of w^ater falling on a wheel of 14 feet diameter; and if we subdivide the mass of water which arrives at the fall into equal portions according to the volume before supposed, we shall be astonished at the effect resulting from this division, and when we recollect that this effect must be multi- plied bj^ 7, to produce the number of machines capable of being put into motion, we may judge of the assertion, founded on principles, that the Federal city will enjoy an incalculable advantage for the establishment of manufactures, especially as those manufactures may be su^Dplied with the raw materials by water, and by water may the wrought articles be exported. It is undoubtedly useless to observe that whatever tends to lessen the labor of the hands in America is a clear, unequivocal profit, and the most certain means of accomplishing this saving is the multij)licity of machines moved by water. We can not, therefore, value too highly a iDriuciple of motion so powerful as the whole river Potomac, which demands no expense but the forming of canals, nature having done the rest. If we remark that besides the great number of avenues, quays, canals, and public gardens which have been here described, the author of the plan of the Federal city has contrived to reserve almost GO public squares, each of which terminates seven or eight streets, we shall hardly ask where are to be placed the temples, the markets, the courts of justice, the academies, the amphitheaters, etc. The time perhaps has not arrived to enter into a detail of these objects, whose disposition must be founded on a well-defined plan of general policy; it would then be proper to discuss the most feasible means of hasten- 166 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEIOT OP COLUMBIA. ing the execution of the garden, of the canals, of the wharves and the streets, the whole arrangement of which is magnificent, but which would render the city of Washington a charming chimera, if we did not find in it the simple and certain means of executing the principal objects, which may be regarded as the basis of the whole structure. This is what in the sequel is proposed by the author of this slight description, who will now think his purpose accomplished if he lias succeeded in awakening the attention of his fellow-citizens to an establishment which ought in every view to interest them, and if, in discussing the objects just mentioned, he has furnished for some able hand the occasion of developing the most easy and certain way of arriving at the end proposed in founding the city of Washington. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS —NO. 10. INFORMAL CONFERENCE OF THE PARK IMPROVEMENT COM- MISSION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, HELD IN THE ROOM OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ON OCTOBER 21, 1901. November 9, 1901. — Printed for the use of the committee. There were present the members of the Park Improvement Com- mission, Messrs. D. H. Burnham, C. F. McKim, Augustus St. Gaudens, and Frederick Law Olmsted, jr. ; the Commissioners of the District of Columbia; Mr. Charles Moore, clerk of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, and others. Mr. Burnham. Gentlemen, this commission has been called upon to make a rejjort to Congress upon the subject of park improvements in the District of Columbia, and, desiring to have all the assistance possible in the framing of that report, we have invited you to be pres- ent for an informal conference to-day. We desire to have the views of the authorities here. We feel that we ourselves are not as well informed as yon are upon the subject and will appreciate any assist- ance you may afford us. Mr. Macfarland. Are the Commissioners to be heard first? Mr. Burnham. Yes, sir. Mr. Macfarland. Although this is, as has been stated, an informal conference, still, since there is to be a record of this meeting, I wish, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, to put upon the record our great appreciation, officially and personally, and as the representatives of the people of the Dis- trict of Columbia, of the work that is being done by this park com- mission, and our confidence that it will result in the consummation of what we have been desiring for many years. It seems to us one of the best things which the Senate Committee on the District of Colum- bia — and particularly its present chairman, and I may also say its present clerk — have done for the District of Columbia. We are all very appreciative of what this committee — and I say its chairman and its clerk esjjecially — have done for the District, and this seems to be the very crown of its work. It comes, in a sense, I 167 168 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. suppose, as one of the results of our centennial celebration of the founding of the District of Columbia last December, which seemed to be what Bismarck used to call the psychological moment of appre- ciation and recognition on the part of Congress and the country of the new and greater needs of this District. The District of Colum- bia, after having been neglected for seventy-five years and more, has at last actually come into the favor of Congress and the country, and now it seems as though it were to receive that full consideration which it so justly deserves as the national capital. We are entering upon the labors of men who have gone before, as is very often the case, for the Commissioners and others have labored assiduously to bring the larger possibilities of the District before Congress and the coun- try, and at last the time has come when it seems possible for it to receive its full consideration. It seems appropriate at this moment and in this brief way to express our appreciation of that fact. REMARKS OF MR. S. P. LANGLEY, SECRETARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. Mr. BURNHAM. The commission would be glad to hear any sugges- tions that Mr. Langley may have to make. Mr. Langley. I have very little indeed to say, further than that I think I may recall tlie fact that the Zoological Park partakes some of the nature of a national museum, and that it was founded with the distinct ]3urpose, laid before Congress, of keeping alive in certain numbers the vanishing races of the continent — that is, this part of the continent. That is its primary function. It was to be a place of refuge for the expiring races of the buffalo and of the great Alaskan animals, and it was to keep them here in sufficient numbers to be a sort of lesson to the people, and under the ej^e of Congress. That was the original plan when it was started, and added to that was the idea that it should be, what I hope it is turning out to be — I am speak- ing for the Zoological Park— a place of amusement and entertainment and instruction to the inhabitants of the District. I mention this in order to ask attention again to the fact that it is in some respects dif- ferent from something whose only object was the advantage of the people of the District. It is for them, but not primarily so. I have learned or heard — been forced to hear — in the years I have been connected with it, a great deal of expression of feeling, entirely unofficial, in the newspapers, that the District is called upon to main- tain a work which did not concern it, in paying, for instance, to keep alive the bufEalo and the cadiac bear and things of that kind, which cost money that might have been advantageously spent in the enter- tainment of the inhabitants of the District in other ways. I do not sympathize with or share that feeling. I merely mention that there is such a feeling. Mr. Macfarland. I do not share that myself. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 169 Mr. MoORE. Are the expenses of the Zoological Park divided? Mr. Laxgley. The3^ are all divided. Mr. MoORE. For the animals as well as for maintenance? Mr. Langley. Yes, sir. Mr. Olmsted. And do you think they should be so divided? Mr. Langley. Yes; I am quite willing to take it as an accepted fact. It was originally intended, j)erhaps, that this expenditui-e should be met wholly b}^ the National Government. There was a long struggle, lasting for months, and finally the present method was suggested. Mr. Burnham. Sujppose we go directly to the question of the bound- aries of Rog.k Creek and discuss that subject. Mr. Olmsted. We have been considering this summer, carefully, in connection with the various additions to the existing park system, certain lands that it seemed to us ought to be added to rectify and complete the boundaries of the Zoological Park and Rock Creek Park, and we would like very much to get your opinion, Mr. Langley, as to those boundaries, or suggested boundaries, as we worked them out on this small sketch map. I am sorry we have not a larger scale at present. Mr. Langley. Here is a little bit larger scale of the Zoological Park, which is immediately under consideration. This is a small portion of the Zoological Park. Mr. Macfarland. Where does your jurisdiction end? Mr. Langley. Here, where this stream crosses, by the bridge. Mr. Olmsted. Are these the additions to the boundaries? Mr. Langley. They are what the former commission recommended. I should not say commission, but the landscape architects, Messrs. Olmsted, Olmsted and Eliot. They recommended it, and they had the entire concurrence of those who had immediate charge of the jpark. If you will allow me, here is a slightly larger contour map of the park. I wish to ask your attention again to the, fact tha^ here is something of immediate and imminent urgency. This bank is tumbling down. The line runs directly along the crest of the precipice there, and the precipice is tumbling in on the bears and every other animal there. Then here [indicating] we have the well-known nuisance, the old col- ored cemetery. It really runs out to here, and I believe the Commis- sioners liave recommended this road, but it is not at all certain that it will be taken. It is put in there, though, as though it were an accom- plished fact. Here, under my hand, is the old colored cemetery. Here is something which is very desirable, but not ot immediate and imperative necessity. The most beautiful portion of the park is a deep ravine which runs along there [indicating]. It is, unfortunately, bordered by the Klingie road, which is almost ready to fall into it, so that it is almost impossible to secure any of the privacy which should l)e a part of such a i)lace. Here [indicating] is the immediate xirgeney. 170 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Mr. BuRNHAM. Where is the Klingle road? Mr. Olmsted. There it is. In this case we had assumed that there was a road laid out on the highway plan, and adopted in the highway plan substantially, substantially on the line of the present Klingle road, but for motives of economy it had not extended beyond that line. Such a change as Mr. Langley suggests would be desirable, although we feel as he does, that it was less essential than some other points in the boundary. The line that we have shown here is substantially^ the same, and accomplishes the same results as the line shown on this map of Mr. Langley's and but slightl}^ different in line, in order to provide for tlie ultimate construction of a road along that boundar3\ Instead of being an arbitrary i-oad, it includes the same. The line as they have drawn it here obtains the results of securing the top of the precipice, and the precise direction and shape of the line is such as to provide a road along it in the future. Mr BuRNHAM. You simply do the same as he does. Mr. Olmsted. Yes, substantially the same line. At this line [indi- cating] a slightly increased fating is suggested on account of the desirability of carrying that road around the edge of the hill and get- ting into one of the roads they are now building, in accordance with the highway plan. Mr. BuRNHAM. That will be satisfactory to you? Mr. Langley. Quite so. If you will indulge me in a personal remi- niscence, I will say that when I came to Washington I found this most beautiful of all portions of the environs. It was close to the city and in some way had been s^^ared the hand of the local improver, the per- son who liad laid out the roads and such things. I rode all over it and made myself acquainted with every foot of it. I have traveled a great deal in past years, but have the satisfaction of knowing that here is a place which no other city possesses. I can not say too much about the natural characteristics of it. Mr. Macfarland. And your work is highly appreciated. Mr. Langley. Thank you. What I want is to have the Commis- sioners induce Congress to give us an addition of some 8 or 10 acres. That addition is very much needed, and in one place it is absolutely indisiiensable. As to the rest, I should like, while I am speaking, to say that there is a portion of the park just above here [indicating], which if the commissioners of the upper park would feel like sparing out of the 2,000 acres immediately contiguous, I would be very glad to see it added, so that we could place some of our animals that want grazing ground in that little flat land at the foot of the Klingle place. It is immediately contiguous on the other side of the bridge. I do not know the precise acreage. I struggled very hard to get that Klingle place in. I was at that time, and am still, the commissioner for the judgment of taxation in the upper park. It sounds rather paradox- PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 171 ical to say that there may be au act of Congress stating that you could get more than 1,000 feet from the bank of the stream, and that could be utilized in a hundred different ways, and take in a hundred different grades. Mr. Olmsted. There is a piece of land suggested as an addition to the park that you have not mentioned, namely, that along Connecti- cut avenue — bring the Zoological Park out to Connecticut avenue- out to where the entrance is now. That would be a very desirable addition to the park, but we have not shown that because of the extreme cost of that land fronting on Connecticut avenue. We have left that simply with the entrance as now shown. Mr. Langley. I think it would be desirable to have that, but if we are to choose among desirable and most desirable things, certainly I should not think that the most urgent. Mr. Olmsted. Personally, I should like very much to see it added to the Zoological Park, but It would certainly be a very large expense, as compared with the other lands in those just as available additions to Rock Creek Park, for instance. Mr. Langley. If the Commissioners could see their way to recom- mending this [indicating] — it is purely in the landscape interest — I think it ought to be done. I repeat that the most beautiful single thing in the park is hidden; it is hardly known to exist — this road, under the road here that has almost fallen into it. We want to be able to put that road a little back and make a hiding screen of some kind. Mr. Moore. When yon get through with the park matter we would like to hear from you upon the matter of a new building for the National Museum. Mr. Langley. Shall I speak of that now? Mr. BURNHAM. Yes; we would like to talk with you about that. Mr. Langley. Gentlemen, I did not come prepared to speak about that, but if you will take my suggestions as altogether informal, I will say that the Smithsonian Institution had, some twenty j'ears ago, a somewhat considerable museum, wliich consisted of deposits made by the nation, of things which it had purchased, and which it was maintaining out of its own private fund wholly. My honored prede- cessor, Prof essor Henry, was desirous of having the Government assume that wholly, and finally secured an appropriation for a national museum, which resulted in the erection of the cheapest building which was ever produced, I believe, in any countrj- for such a purpose — the present building down there. I forget how many acres it covers, but there are several, and it cost in all about $250,000 for this enormous building. It was built with proportionate rapidity and proportionate inadequacy. When I came here in 1887, the building had already grown so full that nothing more could be put into it with regard to the purposes of a museum. Three years after that, in 1890 or 1891, 1 172 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. reported to Congress that it was growing overcrowded, and that in two or three years more it would be a storehouse simply, without any room for display. Since then the evil has grown from bad to worse, and Congress has appropriated small sums for such purposes as the build- ing of galleries, which simply darken what ought to be light, and for adjacent buildings of wood or brick which are used simply as store- houses. I do not know how to say anything in addition to what I have already said to Congress, only I wish that what I say may not be taken literally, and not as a careful statement within the exact facts. The building, however, is congested and overcrowded until we do not know where to turn. It is more of a warehouse tlian a museum. I should say that we have uom^ from two to three times the number of things in the space which should be devoted to them. If j^ou go to a place like thegi'eat museum in New York and see the open spaces there and the proj)er display, it is comparable to a place into which rubbish had been thrown. Mr. BURNHAM. As I understand, j^ou think now that possibly the material you have would properly cover three times the space? Mr. Langley. Properly, yes, if it were displayed properly. I beg to say that this is not an official statement. Mr. Moore. We understand. This is for the use of the commis- sion only. Mr. BuRNHAM. We want you to help us out with your suggestions. Mr. Langley. Ten years ago I presented to Congress some drawings of a museum which would remove this pressure, but they were utterly inadequate in their architectural effects ; it was simply a larger ware- house. That was all I was encouraged to present, but I think that Congress is now reaching the conclusion — if I may judge from what I hear from the committee on that subject — that something must be done. Mr. BuRNHAM. You believe that the present building is not capable of being made what a national museum should be? Mr. Langley. I can only repeat that the present building cost some- thing like $250,000, when materials were cheaper, and it is one story high. Its floors are falling into ruin, and it is grotesquelj' inadequate. What I have asked of Congress this year has been to appropriate a sum for making suitable skilled plans for a new building. I have not at once asked for the building. Mr. BuRNHAM. Where would you suggest the erection of a building? Mr. Langley. There is no room for a new building on the present site. The Smithsonian Institution owns only about 20 acres out of what is called the Smithsonian Park, and I would suggest that a proj^er and adequate place for the new building would be a little in front and to the east of the Institution. I do not know whether it enters into the plans of the commissioners to open a clear space up to PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTKICT OF COLUMBIA. 173 Pennsylvania avenue, but one of the buildings that might be seen from the avenue, and prominently, would be a museum building covering a space which I would only say must be something similar to the new Library of Congress, and which I most earnestly hope would aim to be in its architectural effect something worthy of the occasion. Mr. MoORE. Have you made any figures as to how large the build- ing should be? Mr. Langley. Yes; I have made a memorandum that I would want to consult %\ath the gentleman in immediate charge of the Museum about, involving some skilled plans. It would depend somewhat on the number of stories. We have only one story now. Mr. BuRNHAM. How many stories should a museum l)e? Mr. Langley\ I do not know. We should not have one of those sky-scraping buildings, evidently, but short of that I do not know that there is any limit. The best museums which one sees in London are three and four stories high — the extension of South Kensington, for instance. I think we might consider the possibility of even a four-story building, and in that case the ground plan would be com- paratively smaller. Mr. Moore. Would it be necessary to have it in any immediate relatioushii) with the present Smithsonian Institution building? Mr. Langley''. It would be desirable. The Institution and the Museum are dovetailed together like the web and woof of a piece of cloth, you understand. It woiild be hard to say where one begins and the other ends. Mr. MoORE. You think it would be jproper to have it in the j^resent Smithsonian Park? Mr. Langley'. Yes, sir; I have no hesitation in saying that, and in giving it as my opinion that that would be a proper place for it. Mr. Olmsted. Would there be any advisability in regard to the subdivision of the Museum into mngs, or possibly detached build- ings? It covers such a large field that it occurred to me that might possibly be necessary — special museums or special departments of working collections connected with the central administrative oflices, the detached buildings containing the bulk of the very enormous working collection in the special department. Mr. Langley. Those working collections, I may say, occupj^ a vastly greater space than the public supposes. The public thinks of a museum as a show for its entertainment. The curators of a museum, perhaps going to the other extreme, think of it as a great scientific laboratory which the public is allowed to look into the win- dows of. The latter view is not to be dismissed altogether. The space which is required for getting those things together is larger than the space required for show. Mr. Olmsted. I would rather suppose that that is the case, and I 174 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. was inquiring" whether or not it might not work out better to have the great working collections with 'the laboratories, each in its own wing of the building, grouping together the show collections for the public in the main or central building, and somewhat separating them from the great masses of working collections. Mr. Langley. That is a question for the architect of the Museum. I am not a museum expert, like my lamented predecessor, Mr. Goode, but those things which are immediately connected with the necessities of the case I can speak confidently of. If you have a gallery of ethnological antiquities — for instance, the Indians — in some part of the Museum, j^ou want to step from the showcase to the place where the antiquities are being gotten ready; in other words, it might be as though — if I may illustrate it in tliat way — you had the behind the scenes of a theater in a distinct building from the stage. They have to be together, and the only question is, what is the best way of bringing them together. I think it is better to bring them very close together. Mr. Moore. You have what is known as a very popular collection; you have histoi'ical relics. About what proportion does that occupy? Mr. Langley. Those relics of Washington and Grant are very trival in the space they take up, though they are not trival in impor- tance. We did not manufacture them. They do not require any immediate adjacent woorkrooms, as everything else does. Mr. Moore. So there is one part of the Museum that is in the highest degree popular, and the other in the least degree popular. Mr. Langley. I would hardly say that. There is a great deal of interest that attaches to those other things. I do not mean to say that it is not popular. I trust it is all popular. But a great deal of it is the work of scholars and students working in the interest of anthropology or some other branch of science of interest to the public also, while such things as Washington wore at Trenton evidently are of interest. Mr. Moore. Are you on the Rock Creek Board? Mr. Langley. It is so long since I was there that I can not answer positively. I know I was at one time. Mr. Macparland. The present board of control are the Commis- sioners of the District of Columbia and the Chief of Engineers. Mr. Langley. No; I am not on that board; but my impression is that I have some remote official connection with the upper park in determining the question of taxation. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS, NO. 11. EXTRACT FROM A PAPER ON THE COMMERCIAL VALUE OF BEAUTY, BY DANIEL H. BURNHAM. January 28, 1902. — Printed for the use of the committee. The time comes in the histoiy of eveiy great city when the govern- ment of it fosters the building- of public works for their beauty. The governmental purpose for doing this has varied; one ruling power has been actuated by a desire to satisfy its own taste, while another has exerted itself in order to divert the minds of the people or to make them believe that their happiness was the end in view. But the pleasure and happiness of the people has not always been a main object. Many princes have fostered the l)uilding of monumental worfo in order to establish and maintain prosperity for the people and with very little thought of merel}^ pleasing them. In Athens is the best example of this policy. After an unparalleled career of commerce there came the end of that which had produced the wealth of Attica. It happened at a time when their control of the Hellenic alliance was disturbed and in danger of being desti'oyed; when the influence of the western Mediterranean was growing, while that of the archipelago was on the wane; when the trade of Athens was serioush^ threatened. Then Pericles came into power — a man who deeply appreciated the fine arts. Himself an orator of the first rank, he was in sympathy with the work of the painter, the sculptor, and the architect; but above all, he was a statesman, and one who had the brain to devise a great plan and the nerve to carry it into execu- tion — a plan having for its purpose the preservation and even the increase of the prosperity of his native city. We can imagine that he said to those around him: It may be that the western colonies are to surpass us in wealth; that as men have hitherto flocked tons they will hereafter follow the sun, because of the greater oppor- tunities afforded in the Occident for the profitable employment of their energies. I do not see that we can prevent their going, but w'e can make sure that having made their fortunes they will come back to Athens to enjoy them. I believe that this purpose was in his mind when he gathered together all the funds that he could control and with them built those monu- ments which have made Athens famous. Her supremacy did leave 175 176 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. her, })ut the results of Pericles's foresight are still in force, as is proven by the fact that the people of southern Greece even now owe much of their income to the presence among them of travelers who visit that country in order to gaze upon those splendid works which were built under a political genius who discovered the best method of perpetu- ating the prosperity of a city. The magnet of Athens is her monuments, the strength of which seems ever increasing. When the buildings on the Acropolis and the architectural remains that lie in or near that city shall have disap- peared, Athens will no longer interest travelers. Many other cities still prosper whose commerce has departed and which are no longer helped by the influence that originally built them up. Rome, Cairo, Venice, Florence, each continue to attract the wealthy and the leisure class of the outer world. They visit these cities in great number, and will continue to do so as long as their public monuments endure. There is a modern example which equals that of any ancient city in its power of attraction, and we must applaud the foresight of Louis Napoleon, who is said to have lavished a sum equal to $50,000,000, through the hands of Baron Hausseman, for the public improvements which make Paris a mecca for travelers. Fifty millions of dollars is a large sum, yet I am told that there ever}^ year foreigners spend not ess than three hundred millions, on which the profit to the inhabitants of the city is sixty millions, or more than the Emperor laid out in accomplishing his purpose. A pretty good venture, you will agree with me, returning, as it annually does, more than 100 per cent on the investment. Beauty in the public work of a cit}^ has always paid. What would the prosperity of the inhabitants of Paris be if she were mereh^ a con- venient city, nothing more? Suppose that Chicago and Paris could be interchanged; that they be sinuiltaneously placed each in the other's location? Do you doubt that the Parisians would tind it difhcult to live, or that the people of Chicago would favorabl}^ feel the effect of the change? We must continue to live here, no matter how depressed the times. Ask our merchants and manufacturers whether or not the percentage of profit on their sales is what it once was, and the}^ will tell you that their gains are smaller than in the past, considering the volume of business they now do, and I fear the}' will also tell 3'ou that there is not much hope of increasing the percentage of profits. If this be true, our supremacy in commerce is not so sure as once it was; the influence which made the cit}' known throughout the world IS far less potent, and is constantly diminishing. All thoughtful men know that this is true; but perhaps we ma}" live contentedly on and not suffero This might be quite sure were it not for a grave danger that threatens us^ — 1 mean the tendency of our wealthy people to spend their time and money elsewhere. While comparatively few travelers PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 177 visit us for pleasure, our own people of the leisure class are absenting themselves. At the same time those in this country who grow rich elsewhere do not coine here, but go to other cities where they find material conditions much more pleasant than we have. It is our American absentees who make foreign towns prosperous. Their expenditures enrich the traders, large and small, who deal directly in all the luxuries of life in the places where they sojourn. I do not know the amount of profits made here and spent elsewhere, but it must be ver}^ large, while the money spent among us b}^ pleasure seekers is 3'earh" growing less. And why do not visitors come among us as they go to Paris, and why do our wealthy people absent themselves? If this cit}^ were as pleasant to them as Paris is, would the}^ not remain at home, as do the Parisians? The argument needs not to be further expanded. Those who have plenty of leisure and monej^ at their disposal naturalh" seek the most delightful places to live in; but while the}" ma}^ be justified in doing this, we must remember that their presence or absence makes the difl'erence between prosperity and comparative!}^ hard times in any great city. It is plain, therefore, that it pays any people to do all in their power to make life agreeable to this class of people, because they are deeply interested in what they do. Is not the beauty of a city the deciding factor in this problem? New York has in the last year taken a long step in the right direction. It now has a public commission, three members of which are by law nominated by the art societies of the city. This commission has the final decision on all questions touching the appearance of the parks, monuments, and other public improvements. A law has recently been proposed in the State legis- lature of New York to facilitate the beautifying of towns in that State. I have not the details of it, but the mere fact of its being introduced and urged illustrates that the value of lovely public surroundings is beginning to be understood. P 1—03 12 SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS.— NO. 12. CENTENNIAL AVENUE February 3. 1902. — Printed for the use of the committee. EDITORIALS FROM THE EVENING STAR. Centennial Avenue. (February 22, 1900.) The decision of the capital centennial committee to press the proj- ect of a grand Centennial avenue to be cut through the Mall from the Capitol to the river is hardly in the line expected to be developed. That is in effect a new scheme unverified by official surveys, virtually unheralded and unknown, and of, as yet, doubtful propriety. It is indeed, vague in its details. It has a faint basis in the fact that L'Enfant included in his original plan of the cit}^ — which has been so far and so long departed from in many respects that it is scarcely now to be recognized — a project for the location of the Government build- ings on either side of the Mall, forming a grand park, flanked by architectural creations of beauty and utility. But this new Centen- nial avenue plan is apparently different. If it l)e coupled with the clearing away of all the private buildings south of Pennsjdvania avenue, well and good. If, however, it contemplates the establish- ment of a governmental boulevard bordering the Mall without affect- ing Pennsylvania avenue in any respect, then the consensus of opinion here will unquestionably be against it. The effect would be to make Pennsylvania avenue virtually a back street. It will, how- ever, always remain the scene of great pageants. It is the most direct route from the Capitol to the White House, while the Centen- nial avenue, as far as the plan has been explained, leaves the White House considerably to the north. It is to be noted, furthermore, that the project which, it is under- stood, forms the basis of the plan adopted by the committee contem- plates placing the municipal building on the market-house square. 179 180 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. Th;tt would be the only public structure extending through from one avenue to the other. All others would front upon the new boulevard, with their back doors i^ointing toward Pennsylvania avenue as far as the ]3ublic land might extend. The committee's action is, of course, only advisor3^ It remains to be ratified by Congress. Doubtless in the discussion of the whole centennial enterprise before the Houses the precise features of this plan will be exploited, giving opportunity to com]3are it with the more substantial scheme of clearing out all of the south avenue land and using it for future public buildings, irrespective of the later evolution of a boulevard to serve as an approach to the forthcoming Memorial Bridge. There will likewise be occasion to see how this new proposi- tion squares with the pending measure to readjust the lines of the Pennsjdvanla Railroad's terminal, which is directly affected by the Centennial avenue x^roposition. Until the project is thus set forth in plain terms, and in a manner to commend itself to the full approval of everybody concerned in the creation of the ideal capital, the citi- zens of Washington will reserve their judgment and hope that the centennial will be marked by a genuine creation of lasting utility and beauty. WHY TWO NATIONAL AVENUES NOW? (February 23, 1900.) The iDroposition to provide a grand national boulevard along the Mall commends itself to some minds because of the fact that it would afford a magnificent avenue whereon great pageants would appear. There is already a thoroughfare entirely fitted for such use, associated with many historic memories and recognized to-day b}^ the people of all the States as the natural j)arade ground for these imposing pro- cessions. This is Pennsylvania avenue, whose advantages are manj" and whose opportunities for further beautification are limited only by the disposition of Congress. Why provide a new avenue when there is one at hand already, especially' as the use of the new one in the manner anticipated will perhaps result in making a back street of the older one, despite its history and its capacity for coping with modern conditions? The stroke of surplusage does not commend itself at first glance to the most practical thought of the people. There is every probability that the grand future of this city will require that tlie Government occupj^ all of the land between Pennsylvania avenue and the Mall. When that time comes, a new and splendid avenue through the Mall, with public buildings and possibly State buildings along its length, would be a fine feature and a necessity. The beginning of this work should be where it is most needed, and that place is the south side of Pennsylvania avenue. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 181 PRESERVE THE PARKS. (March 3, 1900.) The Centennial avenue proposition is a distinct violation of the park principle, the maintenance of which has made Washington one of the beauty spots of this continent. The great Mall, with its succes- sion of broad areas devoted artistically to combinations of lawn and wooded growths, forms one of the city's most distinctive features. Its arrangement was in accordance with the careful designs of A. J. Downing, the distinguished architect and landscape gardener, who in 1851 was called to Washington to lay out the public grounds of the national capital. He was recognized throughout the country' and abroad as "the chief American authority on rural art," and his admi- rable designs for the Smithsonian grounds, with choice tree groups, graceful winding drives, and pleasant shaded walks, resulted in mak- ing that line of parking a beauty spot and a subject of admiration to all visitors. With the Botanic Garden at one end and the Monument grounds at the other, this great stretch stands for a tangible evidence of the theory upon which the capital is founded, that in making of a seat of government there can not be too much parking or too much care in preserving it from encroachment. The plan is now to cut a straight avenue through this Mall, at one side, in a diagonal line, not in liarmou}^ with any of the natural or artificial features of the great park, nor in accordance with any of its present or proper uses. It is further proposed to utilize the grounds lying adjacent to this avenue as sites for public buildings yet to be erected, thus violating the sanctity of the parks, which has been preserved, in the main, by dint of the most strenuous endeavor and some sacrifices. The avenue will not partake of the graceful nature of the landscape gardening through which it will ruthlessly cut. Straight, uncompromising, ugly, it would be a mere street through what is now a series of woodland jDarks. It will soon take on all the characteristics of a thoroughfare, which are incompatible with the park nature. Already the Mall has been invaded by buildings because of the parsimony of Congress. There was but a feeble objection to the introduction of the Smithsonian Institution there, for its nature befitted it to the seclusion of the park and its architecture blended harmoniousl}' with the dense foliage of the forest growth. The Department of Agriculture, however, was a mistake, while the National Museum was only to be excused on the ground of its like- ness in organizational character to the Smithsonian, a biscuit-toss away. But for the sternly practical, forbidding Medical Museum there was never a valid excuse, and the capital has always deplored this invasion and violation of the park principle. It was hoped that these four builings, constituting a group of scientific organizations, 182 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. would remain the solitary occupants of the Mall aside from the Fish Commission Office, doomed to early removal, and a magnifi- cent memorial shaft at the western end, destined for a significant permanence. Now comes the plan to despoil the park, to locate all the future public buildings within its limits, to cut it in twain hy an inartistic street, and to change its original character entirely. It is no wonder that the scheme is rejected by the most advanced and public spirited of the citizens as unworthy the great occasion with which it is asso- ciated and a positive detriment to the artistic and the material pro- gression of the capital. There is room in plenty for the buildings yet to be built without invading the parks. There are grander oppor- tunities for city adornment than this, which represents such a direct sacrifice of principle and public space. The only course of safety is to stand firmly in opposition to the plan. Once it is adopted, there is no guaranty for the future. Whereas now Congress is chary about buying sites for public buildings, always counting the cost and the diffi- culty of selection, with the park-site principle established there will be no barrier to prevent the frequent and lavish expenditure of this beauty and breathing space for public buildings uses. It is only by the maintenance of high ideals that great ends are achieved. The great end here is the evolution of a capital worthy the countrj^ and the times — a city of rare beauty and convenience, of dignity and good government. The Centennial avenue project means a loosening of the grip upon this ideal, and is, therefore, a retrogression wholly out of keeping with the historical significance of the occasion. There are better ways of marking the centenary — con- structive instead of destructive, XDrogressive rather than reactionary. Let them be adopted and urged, and let this misconceived scheme be dropped without further ado. WHY? AND WHAT? (March 5, 1900.) Why do they call the proposed roadway — which leads from nowhere to nowhere, and which, in doing so, will longitudinally bisect and measurably destroy one of our finest and most accessible parks — why do they call it a " boulevard? " The meaning of that term, according to the lexicons, is: " First, originally a bulwark or rampart of a for- tified town; second, a public walk or street occupying the site of a demolished fortification." There is, therefore, no excuse foi the snobbery of lugging into our vernacular this awkward foreign term, which is not in the least degree applicable to the proposed roadway or to any other thoroughfare in Washington —or in any other city in PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 183 the United States, for that matter. Let us therefore drop it in all cases. Again — and this query is more important than the other — of what earthly use is the proposed roadway going to be, if made? Its first effect will be to despoil the park. That being done, what is the gain? It can serve no purpose of either utility or beauty. No right-minded person will seriously claim that a straight, wide street cut through a park or grove will be half as attractive from any point of view as ser- pentine paths and driveways — like those in the Smithsonian grounds, for example. But suppose it to be laid out. Then what? It can be of little practical use, because it does not connect or accommodate centers of population. To talk of it as a street for parades is simply absurd. Given a street of suitable width, and the next essential requisite for purposes of parades and like demonstrations is that it shall afford ample facilities for witnessing such spectacles. In other words, it should be lined with rows of residences or business houses, supplied with plenty of windows, balconies, doorways, etc., for the temporary accommodation of vast crowds of sight-seers. Suppose a parade should take place on this so-called "boulevard;" how are the people of Washington going to get there and what chance will there be for seeing anything after they have reached the place? These are questions that have evidently not been thought of. But it is said that the newly made road is to be lined on both sides with magnificent public buildings. When, and with what public buildings? This idea is quite as ridiculous as the other just referred to. A public building is presumably a place for the transaction of public business, to which those engaged in it and those having occa- sion to visit it should have free and easy access. How, then, is the public to get to this hoped-for double line of splendid public build- ings, when once built and occupied? Certainly it can not be intended tliat a street-car track shall be laid the length of this alleged " boule- vard;" and as no line can, in the nature of things, run parallel to it, at least not near enough to afford accommodation to get there, the inevitable consequence will be that a hack must be hired for the trip or the journey be made on foot. It is safe to say that those who have to submit to the extortion of hackmen or take the long walk amid the storms of winter or the heat of summer will curse loud as well as deep the memory of both those who conceived and those who carried out the idea. After all, however, the great objection to the project is that it in a measure destroys a public park, and for such vandalism there can be no valid excuse. While other cities are buying valuable ground and tearing down the costly buildings with which it is covered, in order to provide breathing places and thus insure the health and comfort of their population, how can those who are interested in or hold in their hands the future destiny of the nation's capital justify the 184 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. taking for street and building purposes of the ground long since dedicated as public parks ? A mistake such as would be made in this instance is absolutely irreparable and unforgivable. Indeed, for such an act the term "mistake" is no proper designation. It would reach the proportion of a crime and should stamp its perpetrators accordingly. THE REAL "BOULEVARD" SCHEME. (March 6, 1900.) It is just as well to be explicit about matters affecting the future of the capital. This " boulevard " plan, supposed to contain so much of value to Washington, can not possibly be well understood by those who are now advocating it. Its sole strength lies in the fact that it proposes a solution of the problem of locating future i^ublic buildings. All the original drawings of the scheme showed the proposed avenue lined on the north with variously shaped public structures, located exclusively within the park space, while other ground plans apj^eared in the space surrounding the ellipse of the White Lot. The only one of these to extend through to Pennsylvania avenue is marked "city hall," occupying the market-house site. According to this design not a dollar would henceforth be spent for ground for public-building sites; not a stroke would be delivered for the reclamation of Pennsyl- vania avenue. Stripped of the public-building feature, what is the "boulevard" project? Nothing but a proposal to cut an ugly, uncomjDromising thoroughfare through the Mall, to the utter destruction of its beauty, and to the end of no advantage whatever. It would not be an attract- ive driveway; it would not be a practical street; it would not afford access to anything or to anywhere. There would be no reason for its existence. There is already sufficient access through the Mall by me ns of circuitous drives through smooth lawns and stately tree growths and handsome shrubbery, pleasant in all seasons. Those who resort to the Mall for driving are never in such a hurry that they demand straight cuts, long, dazzling vistas of gravel road, mathemat- ical routes to uncertain destinations. Secretary Wilson's emphatic condemnation of the scheme ought to prove its death knell. The ]3roject, however, defeats itself. When once it is understood that the plan is to utilize this "boulevard" as a building line for all future public structures, to be erected wholly within the i^ark lands, it is questionable whether a single voice will be heard from the District in its favor. It is unfortunate that an effort should have been made to confuse the public mind in this respect and to exploit the "boulevard" project as being in harmony with the plan to locate future public buildings on Pennsylvania ave- nue. The truth is that the two projects are absolutely incompatible. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 185 SENTIMENT AGAINST THE MALL AVENUE. (May 3, 1900.) The Star prints to-day another letter from a citizen of Washington on the snbject of the proposed Centennial aveune through the Mall, emphatically objecting to all such schemes and expressing the hope that the integrity of the park will not be disturbed. The writer asserts that the great majorit}^ of the people of the District demur at the Mall avenue proposal. They want to see the centenary of the capital properly commemorated, but not by an act. destructive of the very principles which have made the city worthy to-day of an enthu- siastic birthday celebration. It is to be hoped that this public sentiment, which thus earnestly expresses itself, will be considered by Congress in adjudicating the matter. It may be taken for granted that the memorial bridge i)lan will ])e adopted, sooner or later. The demand for the bridge is too insistent to be overlooked and the Government stands virtually pledged to-day to the erection of this structure. But as regards a future means of marking the completion of the capital's first centurj^ there is a difference of opinion. From a very few came the project of cutting a useless, disfiguring avenue through one of the most beautiful and health-giving parks of tlie city. From the people through their organizations came a more practical scheme — to raze the buildings that now obstruct and dis- figure the space lying between Pennsylvania avenue and the Mall and the erection thereon of all future public buildings. Coupled with the original Mall avenue project was the suggestion that sufficient space for such buildings would be found on the park lands already owned by the Government. As regards the artistic and the practical merits of the two plans, there should be little reason for hesitation in choice. The boulevard enterprise ofiiends every sense of i)ark preservation, for it is certainly no less than a long step toward the utilization of the reservations for the public structures. The i^lan to clear away the land south of Pennsylvania avenue commends itself to the esthetic sense of the people and to the economical instincts of the Government. Pennsjd- vania avenue will never lose its historic value. It is known the world over as the nation's most famous and, in some respects, most beautiful street. A boulevard through the Mall would secure no special reputation. It would never become endowed with the histor- ical associations which now cluster around the stretch of Pennsylvania avenue from the Capitol to the Treasury. It stands to reason that to conserve and accentuate the traditional and artistic value of this magnificent street would be most fittingly to mark the centenary of the city, with whose fame it is so closely associated. This can be surely done by eliminating, for practical purposes, the rookeries and 186 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. undecorative buildings now occnpying the medial space and consti- tuting the south side of the avenue a plaza upon which the nation's offices of the future will be assembled. It would be false economy to cut up the park into building lots or to bisect it with an ugly, useless avenue. It will be true economy to clear away what is now little else than rubbish on the most conspicu- ous street of the city and replace it with enduring monuments to the Republic's greatness. THE CENTENNIAL AVENUE AGAIN. (May 2, 1900.) The "Centennial avenue" project, which was put to sleep under the influence of a pronounced public sentiment in opposition a few months ago, seems to have awakened from its slumbers and to have put on a new dress. It is reported that Colonel Bingham has pre- pared a i3lan for a straight avenue through the Mall, to be dedicated to the centenar}^ of the capital, and that this plan is receiving the favorable attention of officers of the Government and legislators. A correspondent, whose letter is printed in to-day's Star, urges the rejec- tion of this scheme in the interest of the park beauties of the city. His objections are sound and unanswerable. The Bingham project presents all of the offensive features of that urged at the outset of the enterprise, while it possesses others in addition. The original purpose was to cut a broad ' ' boulevard " through the Mall along the northerii edge, running straight from the Capitol to the Memorial bridge. The Bingham i3lan is to run this avenue from the Capitol to the Monument, a course already covered by drives straight enough for every practical pu:rpose and winding enough to preserve the artistic value of the park. The avenue through the middle of the Mall would divide that now beautiful reservation in twain, making two parks of less aggregate space than the present. It would serve no useful purpose, afford no sites for buildings, add nothing to the grand reservation, while destrojang its chief charm, that of irregularity and seclusion. The spirit of L'Enfant is being per]3etually invoked in aid of these latter-day schemes to destroy much of the cajDital's present beauty. It is true that a certain strong sentiment attaches to all of L'Enfant's original propositions. If executed at the outset and in the spirit of their conception they would have made a magnificent capital. But time has changed the situation. To attempt now to give form to the full L'Enfant programme, or to isolated features that have been neglected, without regard for the beauties of j^ears of growth, would be to destro}^ much of untold value and lead to unsatisfactory result. It were far better to employ the energy and the money needed in such PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 187 a propaganda in the clearing away of the disfiguring occuj)ants of the south side of Pennsylvania avenue and thus providing building space for the Government for generations to come. A boulevard or avenue through the Mall, whether in the middle or on the side, would be incompatible with the character of that reserva- tion. If Colonel Bingham has indeed undertaken to secure a legisla- tive enactment toward this end the fact is to be regretted, for it betokens an utter misconception on his part of both the opj)ortunities and the demands of the present. It is to be hoped that some adequate memorial of the capital's centenary will be provided. The inaugu- ration of the Memorial bridge will suffice to that end. But it would be deplorable if so significant an event were to be commemorated by an enterprise destructive of one of the citj^'s chief charms and subversive of the ijrinciple of park preservation, which only requires maintenance and extension to make Washington a city of wonderful beauty. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTKICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS— NO. 13. THE MAKING OF A PLAN FOR WASHINGTON CITY. By Glenn Brown, F. A I. A. [Read before the Columbia Historioal Society, January 6, 1902.] March 8, 1902. — Printed for the use of the committee. The original map of Washington made in 1791 was the first plan drawn for a capital cit}^ of a great nation. Other capitals have been a growth, beginning as villages without design, or thought of future progress or greatness, and in their gradual development from village to town and their final expansion into cities have been hampered by the original lines of roadways, the gradual addition of streets and suburbs, and the location of more or less important buildings, each roadway, street, or suburb having been laid out according to individual whim, with little or no consideration for a future city that would be a harmonious whole. Gradual growth often produced picturesqueness; never stateliness or grandeur such as would befit a capital city. The authorities of man}^ cities, after the countries of which the city was the capital had grown in wealth and power, have attempted with more or less success to remedy this want of a harmonious and efl^ective original plan. Paris has undergone many of such changes, the later ones luider Louis XIV, Napoleon I, Louis Philippe, and Napoleon III. The last- named Emperor at enormous expense opened new avenues and boule- vards directly through the city, so as to command the view of focal points, and beautified the city with parks and works of art. Although the effects accomplished in Paris, when viewed in connec- tion with beautiful buildings, majestic arches, graceful columns, artistic statuary, and pleasing gardens, have l^een greater than similar accomplishments in other cities of the world, Paris is not what it would be if the great architects of building and landscape had been unhampered by existing conditions. St. Petersburg was selected as the seat of the Russian Government in 1703, and was located on a site where no other cit}^ existed. Appar- ently, little attention was given to its development on broad lines. It grew as other cities have grown, without thoug'ht of the grandeur of effect that might have been attained by a well-studied, original and comprehensive plan. 189 190 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. London, after the great fire in September, 1666, had an opportunity to make a complete rectification of the unhappy results unavoidable in the plan of a city developed by gradual growth. There was a deter- mined eft'ort made to take advantage of this opportunity. Sir Chris- topher Wren made a very clever and comprehensive plan, the first plan that I have been able to discover of a city with streets radiating from focal points. (Fig. 1.) The sites of prominent buildings, monuments, and columns were arranged so as to give pleasing objects of sight at the end of many vistas as well as open spaces which afforded opportunity for a closer view. Unfortunately the plan of Sir Christopher Wren was never executed. The difficulty of adjusting conflicting claims proved insur- mountable. The causes which influenced our forefathers to lay out a city on a grand and comprehensive scale are interesting topics for investigation. The data and precedent from which they evolved the noble plan pre- sented in the map of the city of Washington are fascinating subjects for study. During the first fifty years of the city's history this greatness of scale and the "magnificent distances" were a constant cause of ridicule with the thoughtless, and sneers from our countr}^ and Europe at the magnificent pretensions of the original plan, were frequent on the part of persons who could not appreciate the future of the United States. The grandeur of scale, as well as the character of the scheme which was approved, clearly indicated the confidence of the projectors in the future of our country. It was evidently their judgment that the best plan on a generous scale would not be too good or too large for the future capital of the United States. General Washington, as a surveyor, a man of rare -judgment, broad common sense, and great business capacity, was well fitted to conduct the scheme, and he selected the most skilled members of the profession of architecture and landscape who could be obtained to assist in the making of the city. He cautioned his assistants against vagaries in design and insisted upon following rules and principles as laid down by the older masters in their profession. Washington was fortunate in securing Peter Charles L'Enfant, with whose skill he was well acquainted, to design the map for the new city. Washington and L'Enfant together made a careful personal study of the ground and located the site for the principle edifices and the focal points. The first or tentative draft was made and submitted to Wash- ington, and after modifications the final map was drawn as we have it to-day. What influenced them in the general arrangement of avenues radiating from focal points of interest? Why was the Mall planned as an approach to the Capitol and the contemplated Washington monu- ment, with a broad and extended vista on their axis? PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 191 L'Enfant did not attempt to draw up the scheme without carefully studying what had been accomplished in other parts of the world. What were the sources from which L'Enfant drew his inspiration in designing the plan? To what influence did Washington turn when making his criticism and modifications 'i We know that L'Enfant wrote, April 4, 1791, asking Jefl'erson, Sec- retary of State, to obtain maps of London, Paris, Venice, Madrid, Amsterdam, Naples, and Florence, stating that it was not his wish to copy the plan of these cities, but that he might have a variety .of schemes for consideration. We know from a letter of Jefferson's, April 10, 1791, that Jefl:erson sent him from his personal collection maps of the following cities: Frankfort on the Main, Amsterdam, Strassburg, Paris, Orleans, Bordeaux, Lyons, Montpelier, Marseilles, Turin, and Milan. The probabilities are that Jefferson obtained for L'Enfant the other maps for which a request had been made. A com- parison of the maps of the cities mentioned, as well as other cities in Europe, proves that they supplied him with only isolated suggestions for the treatment which was adopted. The maps of London and Paris previous to 1800, clearly illustrate this point. Paris, as we know it to-day, suggests more forcibly than other cities some of the marked features of Washington, the points of similarity being the Arch of Triumph and the Places of the Nation, the Bastile, Hugo, and the Repuljlic, from which radiate avenues and boulevards. Probably the majority of people of the present day who are familiar with Paris assume that it was there L'Enfant found the idea on which he enlarged in making his design for Washington, Napoleon I began and Napoleon 111 completed the s^'stem of avenues leading to or radiating from points of interest. L'Enf ant's map was engraved in 1792 when the first Napoleon was an unknown man. The Paris of 1791 had nothing in the arrangement of streets which, judging from L'Enfant's design, could have appealed to him. The numerous small squares and the jjarked way of the Champs El3'sees may have suggested and probablj- did suggest the man}- small parks as well as the treatment of the Mall, which he adopted in his plan. The first questions which would have presented themselves to L'Enfant in undertaking the solution of the problem would naturall}'' have been the possible number of residents who might dwell in his city of the future and the size of a cit}^ to accoumiodate them. London in that day had approximately 800,000 inhabitants, and Paris at the same date had approximately 600,000 people. The areas which these cities occupied have been a site for village, town, or cit}^ for nearh^ two thousand 3"ears. They represented the capital cities of the two most powerful countries of the world in L'Enfant's time. With this data before him he fixed the area of the new city at about 16 square miles, which would accommodate, on the basis of the population of Paris, 800,000 people. 192 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. The boldness and foresight of these city makers is to be wondered at when we remember that at this period the population of the United States was about 4,600,000. The next item for solution was the location of the principal build- ings and commemorative monuments, with a view to place them so as to enhance their effect and at the same time so that they would become the crowning features of the surrounding landscape. The map of Paris, as well as his personal knowledge, furnished L'Enfant suggestions for the location of palatial buildings, statuarj^, and monuments; but with the exception of the Champs Ely sees few, if any, suggestions were found as to location of such objects of interest so that they could be seen, enjoyed, and so that they would produce the happiest effect in connection with their surroundings. The Mall, as the grand garden approach to the Capitol, would naturally have suggested itself from a study of the Champs Elysees and of the more beautiful garden approach to Versailles. How far should water effects be introduced as a feature in the new plan ? L'Enfant in his request for plans of Amsterdam and Venice evidently had water effects in view, and carrying out this idea he sug- gests on his map a treatment of wharves, arranged for open views to the broad Potomac, and introduced a canal, with water basins and fountains, which would have added wonderfully to the beauty of the city if they had been carried out. A part of the water scheme was executed in the form of a canal, but this was turned into an open sewer and eventually arched and covered. The most unique and distinctive feature of Washington, its numerous- focal points of interest and heauty from v^hich radiate the jyrinciixd streets and avenues was not suggested hy any city of Eiurope. Three streets converging toward a building or a square being the nearest approximation to the idea shown upon the map of any European city of that date. As I have mentioned before, after the great fire in London in 1666, Sir Christopher Wren made a design for the rearrangement of the streets, and for grouping the various important buildings in London. This unexecuted plan of Wren's was apparently the first to suggest the radiation of streets from focal points of interest, and in it he had sev- eral such centers. (Fig. 1.) Engravings of this map were published in various histories of London in L'Enfant's da}^ When Jefferson asked for maps of London there can be little doubt that this design was among the number sent to Jefferson and by him given to L'Enfant. When Louis XIV made Versailles one of his principal residences, Le Notre, who was the director of buildings and gardens for the grand monarch, laid out the garden of Versailles, one of the most pleasing, impressive, as well as magnificent pieces of formal landscape in existence at the present day. This was designed about 1662 and completed in 1669. '/fi /f 2 n.-^. ^c" 'V \ Z-'^^ : = ■--' '- ■szz:-:,\ ^'^"V 1. i"" \ . • '"C'^r' = - . - .' ■;- --- . _^ ■~^ 7"" '/. J- "S ■■^. Lw!":-' ' ;;.""^;^ •.^•,-- "V A 'i^ \, '^ .^"S:^ ■ "" .' '. ^ ■ ■■A '^ ^"^ ^j ^•.■ '^ ) ^,^=- -' '-- <. (* "It ■ V ■ ,-5-- r - -^=,; ^i:^'"" C? ■■; /^- 9 9 - ^-._^.i--.- """x ^_~ /. -'' ! ii ? 1 ii:":'7^-" v.--..© .-„ ,_ \, y ;{|]^/iCL3G?5:^[]C_jDz]_t. 5iP; ^aV-I ^;_,--^-^^- / ^ «■ ""-;"^-- ^^.' z> jjj . -^ i ' ^';.r^"MS;'"" ^^., -~^^~'r^":^ ^■.||. ?'S¥ - ■" !>! 5 - ; —'■■'? W&:SiF-o ^^:^^> ^>> ■ fzz.'—-~ iSr5S5^^g==?>?£='^^r=S ;=-.y«^^J -:z='::: ■^nn^n^:SSB=trE: , H n'^R- -.-'is- ^^"rj.^" ■jqn-iy.-T-irT'""-" •; °-, - ^ : '■" • nN xC '"'"^"'ZZSE.:°~"'' !!lii'"'^' -0^' y"^ "v^ ,-- r^ ^C; "'ri^— --~->-7-"== -Trr-iiiii-z. r ■ • ;Li^-=;'=_ --2=;^^-=_5:; -- - '■< -i-L; ^--~> /rE™5Ssr" „ ^ ^^^ ~*^ -''■ -^f^^— '-■ >^— r--^^ --'-^ .-^^ -= ^_ ,-— "Z-^ _ -^'^' v\> PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 193 In this garden we have a highl}^ developed plan showing points of interest and beauty from which radiate avenues and walks. We can not question but that L'Enfant was familiar with this piece of land- scape architecture, and it, together with the suggestion of Wren, we may reasonably assume, induced L'Enfant to trj^ the same idea in the building of a city, instead of a garden, with radiating avenues; and also influenced him in the principal and most imposing feature of the Mall. Although Washington had never been across the ocean, he was undoubtedly the man to study the maps of existing cities, from which, as has been already shown, that he could have found but little to influence him as suggestions for the final plan of Washington City. Washington was familiar with the cities in this country, and strange as it may seem there are suggestions in two of the small cities of the United States which ma}" have influenced him in appix)ving and modi- fying the scheme submitted by L'Enfant. Annapolis has two focal points from which several streets radiate. (Fig. 2.) It is stated in the older accounts of Annapolis that the plan was copied from Sir Christopher Wren's plan of London. This is probabl}" a fact, taking a small section of London as a basis. It is most probable that Washington was familiar with the fact. Williamsburg, Va., had a mall, a dignified tract of green around which imposing colonial buildings were grouped and toward which the principal streets converged. Washington was familiar with these two cities and undoubtedly^ appreciated the pleasing effect of their plans. He was thus ready to appreciate and indorse a suggestion of similar treatment, nmltiplied hj numerous additional focal points, with vistas from one to the other, with the principal buildings located at the most prominent intersections, with a mall around which was to have been grouped many of the principal edifices. Although I have endeavored to call attention to the data to which L'Enfant could and did have access and the surroundings which may have had theii- influence in the formulation of a plan for the city of Washington, I do not mean in any way to detract from his fame. All great artistic achievements have been a system of evolution and growth, usually a growth of long periods of time. It is tvnlj remark- able, and proved L'Enfant a man of genius, that he evolved in a short period, and from the meager suggestions which he must have possessed, such an excellent and artistic scheme for a new and a great cit}". The design (fig. 3) indicated a comprehensive study of the streets, so arranged as to make effective distant vistas of the buildings, columns, fountains, and arches which were proposed, as well as to give the most direct access for business or pleasure; parks so located as to enhance the buildings and other art structures and give an opportunity for pleasing views upon near approach; the grouping of buildings along the Mall so as to produce harmonious and artistic effects as well as P 1—03 13 194 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. the best service for utilitarian purposes. I beg leave to quote from my "History of the United States Capitol:" (Senate Doc. No. 60, Fifty-sixth Congress, first session.) The more the scheme laid out by Washington and 1' Enfant is studied, the more forcibly it strikes one as the best. It is easy to imagine a vista through green trees and over a green sward, 400 feet wide, beginning at the Capitol and ending with the Monument, a distance of nearly a mile and a half, bounded on both sides by parks 600 feet wide, laid out by a skilled landscape architect and adorned by the work of capable artists. Looking from the center open space across the park a continuous line of beautiful buildings was to have formed the background. They were not to have been deep enough to curtail either the artistic or natural beauties of the park or to encroach upon the people's right to an air space. By this time such an avenue of green would have acquired a world-wide reputation if it had been carried out by competent landscape architects, artists, and sculptors, consulting and working in harmony with each other. The beauties and possibilities of this plan for the Mall and grouping of buildings were apparently forgotten after the da3^s of Madison. Some seven years ago, while studying the location of buildings in con- nection with my "History of the Capitol," the remarkable beauties and utilitarian features of the plan were first called forcibly to my attention. They were so attractive that I felt constrained to write an article for the Architectural Review ^^ in Boston, on the subject, and in 1900 published another paper on the same subject urging the feasi- bility and desirability of reinstating this plan and building future Government buildings on the lines suggested. At the meeting of the American Institute of Architects in this city in December, 1900, a number of prominent architects and artists were requested to read papers on the future treatment of parks and the groupings of buildings. They were asked for their individual ideas. It was a surprising fact that they all accepted the fundamental scheme of L'Enfant as the best, and only enlarged upon or suggested variations in detail.^ Last June the Senate District Committee appointed a commission, consisting of D. H. Burnham, C. F. McKim, Augustus St. Gaudens, and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. , among the most prominent men in their professions in the country, all of whom have proved by their work a capacity equal to the best in the world to-day. After a thorough study of the subject for six months we hear that they think a return to the plan of L'Enfant in the treatment of the Mall and the future location of Government buildings is the proper thing. The changes "■ Selection of Sites for Federal Buildings in Washington. The Architectural Review, Boston, Mass., Vol. Ill, No. IV, 1894. Suggestions for the Grouping of Buildings, Monuments, and Statuary, with Landscape in Washington. The Architectural Re\'iew, Boston, August, 1900. ^ Papers Relating to the Improvement of the City of Washington. Read before the American Institute of Architects December, 1900. (Doc. No. — . ) Govern- ment Printing Office, 1901. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 195 made in the water line and by sale of Government property and the erection of inartistic structures located at haphazard will require man\" modifications and skilled handling, but we may only expect a successful outcome from the commission. Let us hope that Con- gress will see fit to approve their suggestions and return to the fundamental scheme as laid down by Washington and L'Enfant. When executed there will be no city in the world to equal Washington in its beauty and artistic results. SEiTATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTKICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS.— NO. 14. ABSTRACT OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO THE WASHINGTON MARKET COMPANY. March 14, 1902. — Printed for the use of the committee. An act to incorporate the Washington Market Company, approved May 20, 1870. (16th Stats., p. 124 et seq.) Joint resolution relative to the Center Market in Washington, approved December 20, 1870. (IGth Stats., p. 589.) The deficiency appropriation law for the fiscal year 1873 (see para- graph authorizing arrangements for transfer of part of the market-house site for a District building), approved March 3, 1873. (17th Stats., p. 540.) The memorandum of agreement making arrangements under the above provision is published on page 27 of Papers Relating to the Washington Market Comj)any, Submitted to accompany Act H. E. 4426, entitled "An Act relative to the Washington Market Company," jDub- lished in 1878, under House resolution of December 4, 1877. A copy of this memorandum of agreement is hereby transmitted. Under this agreement the annual franchise rental of the Washington Market Com- pany, applicable to the relief of the poor, was reduced from $20,000 to $7,500. It had previously been reduced from $25,000 per annum to $20,000, under the following act of the legislative assembly : A KESOLUTION iu relation to the Washington Market Company. Be it resolved by the legislative assembly of the District of Columbia, That the Governor be authorized and required to act as one of the commissioners of the Washington Marlvet Company, under the resolution of Congress approved December twenty, eigliteen hundred and seventy; and that he be requested to procure such alterations in the x>lan of the buildings to be erected by said company as shall transfer the pro- posed hall from the Ninth street wing to the main building on Pennsylvania avenue, and also to secure a reduction from twenty-five thousand dollars to twenty thousand dollars of the annual rental required to be paid by said company, and which is now assessed by the company upon the stall-holders. Approved August 23, 1871. 197 198 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. MEMORANDUM OF AG-REEMENT. Governor and hoard of inihlic n-orJcs tcith the Washington MarTcet Company. In pursuance of the act of Congress of March 3, 1873, authorizing the governor and board of i^ublic works, if they deem it advisable for the i)urpose of erecting thereon a suitable building for District offices, to make arrangements to secure sufficient land fronting on Pennsylvania and Louisiana avenues between Seventh and Ninth streets, it is hereby agreed that 1. The Washington Market Company shall by good and suflficieut quit-claim deed release and convey to tbe District of Columbia all the right, title, and interest of said company acquired under act of Congress of May 20, 1870, incorporating said company, in and to so much of the land within said District described in section 2 of said act, and fronting Pennsylvania and Louisiana avenues, as is contained within the follow- ing limits : Beginning at the southwest corner of Seventh street and Pennsyl- vania avenue, thence westerly along the southerly side of Pennsylvania avenue to its intersection with the southerly side of Louisiana avenue; thence westerly along the southerly side of Louisiana avenue to the east side of Mnth street; thence along the east line of Ninth street eighty-six feet; thence easterly on a line parallel with the aforesaid southerly line of Louisiana avenue to a point eighty-six feet south of said intersection of the southerly lines of Pennsylvania and Louisiana avenues, and thence on a line parallel with the aforesaid southerly side of Pennsylvania avenue to the westerly line of Seventh street, at a point eighty-six feet from the corner began at; thence northerly along the west line of Seventh street eighty-six feet to the corner began at. The Washington 3Iarket Company shall also in said deed convey to said District the right to use, in common with said market company, as a passageway and court yard all the land between the lot conveyed in said deed and a line drawn westerly from Seventh to Ninth street ten feet north of the north walls of the present Seventh and Ninth street buildings of said market company. 2. In consideration of the aforesaid release and conveyance by the Washington Market Company to the District of Columbia, the District will assume and fulfill all obligations imposed upon the company by section 14 of said act of May 20, 1870 (as modified by act of the legis- lative assembly of the District of August 23, 1871), except as follows: The market company shall pay annually to the District of Columbia, during the term and for the purposes mentioned in said section 11, the sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars, payable quarterly, which sum shall, during said term, be in the place of all rental for the ground occupied by the market buildings of said company; and in case in any year the general District taxes ui)on said ground and riarket buildings PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 199 shall exceed five thousand five hundred dollars, the excess above that amount shall be deducted from said rental of seven thousand five hun- dred dollars, so that the total annual payments for rental and taxes shall not exceed thirteen thousand dollars ; the District, however, not hereby releasing, but expressly reserving, and the market company hereby confirming the right of the District, given by section 2 of the act of May 20, 1870, of fixing and controlling, for the protection of the market dealers and of the public, the amount of rentals of the stalls and stands in said market buildings; and it is also hereby agreed that the annual rental of stalls and stands in the other markets in the city of Washington shall .not be fixed by the District authorities at a lower rate per square foot of area than seventy per cent of the rate fixed under said section for stalls and stands in the market buildings of said company, and the District shall not use the land released and conveyed as aforesaid for the purposes of a market. This agreement shall take eflect April 1, 1873, and the market com- pany shall at once settle its past rental account to that time at the rate since August 23, 1871, fixed by the resolution of the legislative assem- bly of that date, and shall immediately pay the balance due to the treasurer of the District. Possession of the land conveyed shall be given the District upon the day of executing this agreement. Dated at Washington, March 18, 1873. Washington Market Company, By M. G. Emery, President. H. D. Cooke, Governor. Alex. R. Shepherd, James A. Magruder, S. P. Brov^^n, Adolf Cluss, Board of Public Worlcs. SENATE COM^IITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVE^IENT PAPERS NO. 15. A PAPER REUTINrr TO THE TREES, SHRUBS, AND PLANTS IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL GROUND, AND AN INDEX OF THE SAME, TOGETHER WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS UPON THE PLANTING AND CARE OF TREES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, BY FRED'K LAW OLMSTED, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT. [Reprinted from the report of the Architect of the Capitol for 18«2.] April 4, 1902. — Printed for the use of the committee. HISTORICAL NOTES OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS. The intelligent visitor, reflecting that it is nearly ninet}^ years since the site of the Capitol was determined, and more than eighty since Congress first held its sessions upon it, will need some explanation of its present s3dvan juvenilit}". Since building work first began upon it several efforts for the improvement of the ground have been made before the present, but no plan for the purpose has long l^een adhered to, and little of the work done has been adapted to secure lastingl}" satisfactory' results. There is, mainly in consequence of a wavering policy and makeshift temporizing operations, but one tree on the ground that j^et approaches a condition of tree majesty", and ))eside it probably not one of fifty years' growth from the seed — not a dozen of ten j^ears' healthy, thrifty, and unmutilated growth. It may be added that many hundred trees are known to have been planted in the streets of the cit}^ early in the century, of which not one remains alive, nor is it probable that one was ever allowed a full development of its proper beauty. Yet, to show what easily might have been, if due ]udgment and pains- taking had been used, it is enough that one planted tree of even an earlier date may be pointed to, which is yet in the full vigor of its growth. (The "Washington elm" on the Capitol ground, originally a street-side tree.) The following notes, chiefly upon the past misfortunes of the nation in its Capitol ground, have been largely based on conversations with the late venerable Dr. J. B. Blake, sometime Commissioner of Public Grounds. 201 202 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. When Government, near the close of the last centur}^, took posses- sion of the site of the Capitol, it was a sterile place, parti}' overgrown with "scrub oak," The soil was described (b}^ Oliver Wolcott) as an ''''exceedingly stiff claj^, becoming dust in dr}" and mortar in rain}' weather." For a number of years the ground about the Capitol was treated as a common, roads crossing it in all directions, and a map of the period indicates an intention to treat it permanently as an open public place. The year before his death, Washington built the brick house, still standing prominently, but injured by recent additions, a little to the north of the Capitol. A picture showing this house, with a young plantation of trees (none now living) between it and the Capitol, together with an autograph letter about it from Washington to his business agent, may be seen in the Towner division of the National Library. The first local improvement ordered by Congress, after occupying the rooms partially prepared for it in the incomplete Capitol, was a vxiU' to be made between these and Georgetown (West Washington), where," there being yet no comfortable house nearer, most of the members lodged. The Capitol and the house of Washington had both been built upon the assumption that the future city, which Washington avoided calling by his own name, continuing to use the original designation of the ''Federal City," would arise on the higher ground to the eastward. Both buildings were expected to stand as far as practicable in its outskirts, Ijacking upon the turbid creek with swampy borders which then flowed along the base of the Capitol Hill. When this stream was in freshet it was not fordable, and members of Congress were often compelled to hitch their riding horses on the farther side and cross it, first, on fallen trees, afterwards on a footbridge. There was an alder swamp where the Botanic Garden is now, which spread also far along the site of Pennsylvania avenue. Tall woods on its border shut ofi' the views of the ground south and west of it. This wood, said to contain many noble trees, mostly oaks, was felled for firewood, by permission of Congress, as a measure of economy, some time after the war of 1812. These circumstances may give a little clue to the habit at the outset adopted, and of which Congress has since never been wholly disem- barassed, of regarding the ground immediately to the west of the Capitol as its ''back yard," and all in connection with it as compara- tively ignoble with the city on the Avest, the transformation of the creek and swamp and the opening of the magnificent view on that side, it is incomparably the nobler front. It is a tradition, and is probable, that Washington, while building his brick house, planted some trees on the east side of the Capitol, of which the elm above referred to was one, and is the only one remain- ing. Another of equal age, but rotting prematurely, probably from unskillful or neglected pruning, was blown down a few years ago, and PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 203 a third was removed in consequence of the enlarg-ement of the Capitol. The last was a tree of graceful habit, and Mr. Smith, of the Botanic Garden, has distributed, through members of Congress, man}^ rooted cuttings of it to different parts of the countr3^ The surviving tree, having a girth of but ten feet at four feet from the ground, has been of slow growth, and been badly wounded within twenty 3^ears, three cavities showing the removal of considerable limbs b}- barbarous exci- sion. On the east side a strip of bark, the entire length of the trunk, has been torn off. The ground, at a little distance on three sides, hav- ing been trenched and enriched, and that nearer the trunk forked over and top-dressed, the tree has, within three years, gained greatly in health and vigor; its wounds are closing over, and it may yet outlive several generations of men. Some years after the death of Washington a space of ground nearly half as large as the present ground was inclosed in connection with the Capitol, and a street laid out around it. The Washington elm stands near where this bounding street intersected another, which formed the northern approach to the Capitol, and on the opposite side, to the north, an inn of some celebrity, long known as the "Yellow Tavern," was built. This was the dining place for members still lodging at a distance. Whatever improvement had been made upon the original ground before the burning of the Capitol in 1814 was probabl}^ then, or dur- ing the subsequent building operations, wholly laid waste, the three or four trees first planted alone escaping. In 1825 another plan for laying out the grounds was devised, which was sustained in the main for nearl}" fifteen 3^ears, during most of which period John Foy had charge, and, as far as he was allowed, pur- sued the ends had in view in its adoption consistently. It was that of an enlarged form of the ordinar}- village dooryards of the time, flat, rectangular " grass plats," bordered by rows of trees, flower beds, and gravel walks, with a belt of close planting on the outside of all. So long as the trees were saplings and the turf and flowers could be kept nicely, it was pretty and becoming. But as the trees grew they robbed and dried out the flower beds, leaving hardly an3'-thing to flourish in them but violets and periwinkle. Weeds came in, and the grass, becoming sparse and uneven, was much tracked across, and grew forlorn and untidy; appropriations were irregular and insuffi- cient to restore it or supply proper nourishment. Foy was super- seded for political reasons, and his successor had other gardening ambitions to gratify. At this time, though even some yenYH later, George Combe described the city as "a straggling village, reared in a drained swamp;" it had become clear that it was not to grow up on the east front of the Capitol. John Quinc}" Adams, on retiring from the Presidency, had, 204 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. like Washington, determined to build a town house for himself in Washington, and had chosen to do so far to the west. Much other private building had followed, including one large and excellent hotel, and Government had undertaken several important public buildings in the same quarter. It was then determined to make an addition (about seven acres) and considerable improvement of the premises in the "rear" of the Capitol, and this improvement led on, without any special act of Congress, to a gradual change of motive in the management of the old ground on the east, under the management of James Maher, who is described by his friends as a jovial and witty Irishman, owing his appointment to the personal friendship of General Jackson.'^ The soil at the foot of the hill was much better than that of the east ground; but the trees planted by Maher were chiefl}' silver poplars and silver maples, brittle and short lived. After doing more or less injury to the more valuable sorts, they have all now disappeared, but there remain of the planting of this period several line occidental planes, scarlet maples, horse-chestnuts, a pecan, and a holly. South of the "Washington elm," adjoining the east court of the Capitol, there are a dozen long-stemmed trees, relics of two circular plantations introduced in the midst of Foy's largest "grass plats," by Maher, for "barbacue groves," one probably intended for Demo- cratic, the other for Whig jollifications. These were also largeh^ of quick-growing trees, closely planted, poorly fed, and never properly thinned or pruned. Forty years after their planting the larger num- ber of those remaining alive were found feeble, top heavy, and ill grown. Fo}^ had planted in his outer belts some garden-like trees, very suita- ble to his purpose, magnolias, tree-boxes, hollies, and also some coni- fers, mostly thuyas, it is believed, ))ut among them there was at least one Cedar of Lebanon. With them, however, or subsequently, more rapid-growing deciduous trees, unfortunately, were also planted, and through neglect of thinning, the efi'ect of drip, and exhaustion of the soil the choicer sorts were nearl}" all smothered, starved, or sickened. A few crippled hollies {Ilex opaca) only remain. The violets and peri- winkle {Vinca) now on the ground are largely of direct descent from those planted by Foy. Most other trees within the limits of the Capitol inclosure before the enlargement of the Capitol in 1857, were removed to make wa}^ for ^ The following story is repeated from the best authority: The President once sent for Maher and said: "lam your friend, Jimmy, but I have often warned you, and this time I must turn you out." "Why, what's the matter now, General?" "I am told that you had a bad drunk again yesterday." "Why, now. General, if every bad story that's told against yourself was to be lielieved, would it be you that would be putting me in and putting me out?" He remained with another warning. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 205 the new building operations, or in consequence of the changes required in the grade of the ground to adapt it to the new work, or, later, to the grading done l\y the District government of the adjoining- streets. It was found that the roots of most of the old trees, after having grown out of the small pits in which they were planted, had been unable to penetrate the clay around them, but had pushed upward and outward, spreading upon its surface and within a thin stratum of looser and darker material, consisting, it is believed, almost entirely of street sweepings which had at difl'erent times been laid on as a top- dressing. Though none were half grown, nearly all had the character- istics of old age, many were rotten at the butt, and few were wholly sound. The more thrifty and manageable of them Avere retransplanted in 1875, and under more favorable conditions, presentl}' to be stated. The larger part of them now appear rejuvenated. When moved they were generally from 8 to 15 inches in diameter of ta'unk. Except under the '■"barbecue trees'" the entire ground east of the Capitol, and all that newlv planted in the west, has been regraded. Near the eastern boundry the old surface was eight feet higher than at present; the Capitol standing at the foot of a long slope. The revised grade having been attained, the ground was thoroughly drained with collared, cylindrical tile, and trench-plowed and subsoiled to a depth of two feet or more from the present surface. (In the outer parts where evergreen thickets under scattered deciduous trees were to be attempted, fully three feet, and here the liming was omitted.) It was then ridged up and exposed to a winter's frost, dressed with oyster-shell lime, and with swamp nuick previously treated with salt and lime, then plowed, harrowed, and rolled and plowed again. The old surface soil was laid upon this improved subsoil with a sufficient addition of the same poor soil drawn from without the ground to make the stratum one foot (loose) in depth. With this well pulverized, a compost of stable manure and prepared swamp muck was mixed. It is still found to have too much of the quality ascribed to the original by Wolcott, quickly drying ver}^ hard. It would seem, however, to be wholesome and sufficiently friable for the growth of the trees planted; the death of all the few that have failed being reasonably attributed to gas leaks, severe wounds, or to extraordinary cold, or to a severe attack of vermin before their recovery from the shock of removal. It is hoped that the more northern trees have been induced to root so deeply as to suffer less than the}^ usuallj^ do in Washington during periods of extreme heat and drouth, and that, in view of the thorough preparation and large outlay for the purpose, the methods of administration will hereafter be more continuously favorable than thej^ had been for the longevity of the trees and their attaining the proper full stature of their families. 206 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. THE PRESENT DESIGN. Questions why, in the present scheme, certain trees and plants have been taken for the Capitol ground and others neglected, and why cer- tain dispositions of trees have been made and others, offering obvious advantages in some respects, avoided, may be best answered in a gen- eral wa}^ b}^ a relation of the leading motives of the design, some of which, it is evident, do not spontaneously occur to many inquirers. The ground is in design part of the Capitol, but in all respects sub- sidiary to the central structure. The primary motives of its design are, therefore, that, first, of convenience of business of and with Con- gress and the Supreme Court, and, second, that of supporting and pre- senting to advantage a great national monument. The problem of convenience to be met in the j)lan of the ground lay in the requirement to supply ready access to the different entrances to the building from the twenty-one streets by which the boundar}' of the ground was to be reached from the city. The number of foot and carriage entrances is forty-six, and, as the entire space to be crossed between these and the open court and the terrace, upon which doors of the Capitol open, is but forty-six acres in extent, it had to be cut up so much as to put ordinar}^ landscape gardening ideals of breadth and repose of surface, applicable to a park or private residence grounds, to a great degree out of the question. The difficulty was complicated by the hillside position of the building, compelling circuitous courses to be taken as a means of avoiding oversteep grades in the carriage approaches from the west.'' That the Capitol, in its several more admirable aspects, might be happil}' presented to view, it was necessary that the plantations should be so disposed as to leave numerous clear spaces between the central and the outer parts of the ground, and desirable that the openings or vistas should be disturbed as little as practicable by roads or other con- structions. At the same time, the summer climate of Washington and the glaring whiteness of the great central mass made a general umbra- geousness of character desirable in the ground, and a bare, bald, unfurnished quality to be, as much as possible, guarded against. It was then to be considered that customs are established that bring at intervals great processions and ceremonious assemblies into the ground, ''Some may ask whether, under the circumstances, a strictly architectural design would not have had advantages. It is enough to say that, for several reason?, no such plan, if understood, would have been acceptable to Congress or the public taste of the period. It would, therefore, have soon been ruined in the treatment of details. Public taste strangely admits topiary work to be mixed up with natural forms of vegetation, and applauds a profusion of artificial features in what passes for natural gardening. Nevertheless, it condemns, even in situations where they would be most pardonable, the grander and more essential aims of ancient gardening. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 207 and that attending- these, vast bodies of people, without order or disci- pline, surge through it in a manner that overrules all ordinary guardian- ship, and that, with increasing population and increasing means of com- munication, such throngs are likely to grow larger and more sweeping. This difficulty was increased b}^ the long-established habit of regarding the Capitol grounds as a common to he crossed or occupied in any part as suited individual convenience. These considerations not only called for multiplied routes of passage, but for a degree of amplitude in pavements and flagging unfortunate with reference to the desired general effect of umbrageous n ess and verdancy. They also compelled a resort to man}' expedients for inof- fensively restraining the movements of visitors in certain directions and leading them easily in others. If these several more or less conflicting requirements are weighed, it will be seen that no attempt to reconcile them or compromise between them could be made that did not involve a disjointedness in the plan- tations unfavorable to the general aspect of dignity and composure desirable to be associated with so stately a building. Hence, where it remained permissible to plant trees at all, to have selected and arranged them with a view to exhibit marked individual qualities, would, as tending to increase such disjointedness, have been an unwise policy. The better motive was to select and place trees with a view to their growing together in groups in which their individual qualities would gradually merge harmoniously, to avoid a distinct definition of these groups, to aim to draw them into broader compositions, and to secure as much effect of depth and distance as possible by obscuring minor objects, especiall}" in the outer part of the ground. In the undergrowth, however, a degree of variety, cheerfulness, and vivacity, to be gained by moderate contrasts of form and color, might be studied. Hence, not only the amount but the range of shrubbery used has been considerable, so much so that it must be admitted that at present it holds attention too much. As beyond a certain point the landscape effect of trees increases with age many times faster than that of bushes, the general effect will soon be much quieter. The chief reason for what would otherwise be an excessive proportion of shrubs and low growth is the necessity of mitigating the effect of the large extent of dead ground in the roads, walks, and adjoining streets, other- wise to be looked down upon from the Capitol and to be conspicuous in views across the ground. Two minor motives influencing the choice and disposition of the undergrowth may be noted. The summer climate of Washington being unfavorable to turf in situations where, owing to the number of trees growing in them, or for other reasons, the care of the turf would be difficult, the aim has been to cover the ground with foliage of creepers and of low peren- 208 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. iiiuls likely to retain greenness during droughts and requiring little labor to keep tidy. These low plantings also serve the purpose of connecting and merging the higher foliage with the verdure of the lawns and of increasing apparent perspective distance. The shrubbery has been selected from regard to its fitness in foliage qualities, form, and size, when grown, to serve general purposes in the several localities in which it is placed. Its blooming qualities have been regarded as of subordinate consequence, but simple and natural bloom has been generally preferred to the more large, striking, and showy quality of flowers resulting from the art of the florist, the design being always not to make a lounging place or hold attention to details. No spruces or other large-growing coniferous trees have been in- cluded in the recent planting, because if placed in the central parts they would obstruct views of the buildings; if placed on the outer parts the}^ would disturb the general quiet and unobtrusive foliage efi'ects desired and lessen the apparent depth of the local sylvan scene. A few clusters of junipers, yews, and thuyas {Chmnsecyjxi'ris)^ of estab- lished hardiness, will be found at points where they^ can not interrupt views toward the Capitol and where they will be obscured and over- looked in views from it. The number of broad-leafed (laurel-like) evergreens that can be trusted to flourish in the climate of Washington is unfortunately limited. The fact that the ground is more visited in winter than in summer makes this the more regrettable. For this reason a considerable number of sorts have been introduced, the permanent success of which is not thought full}^ assured. All such are of low growth in this climate, and should they fail to meet expectations may be withdrawn without permanent injury to the designed summer landscape character. Should they flourish, it is hoped that others will be thinned out and the evergreens grow into moderate masses." The Capitol ground is declared by act of Congress to be formed "to serve the quiet and dignity of the Capitol and to prevent the occurrence near it of such disturbances as are incident to the ordinary use of public streets and places." Incidentally to this purpose, how- ever, it is much used as a public park, especially during the hot season or when Congress is not in session. The need to provide seats in which people could rest for a moment in passing up the Capitol hill from Pennsylvania avenue, which is the point of entrance for most, "■The evergreen thorn {Cratcegus jiyracanthas) , the Oregon grape {Berberis aquefo- lium), the Coton-easter (C micropMUa) , the Chinese evergreen azalea (^4. amcena), and an P^ngUsh hothouse shrub {Abelia rupestris), have each passed without injury through several severe summers and winters, and promise to be of the highest value for the landscape purposes for which they have been tentatively used. The first three are already to be seen in profusion and in vigorous health. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 209 and the need of a place in which children could obtain water being apparent, and as the necessary extent of accommodation in these respects would otherwise cause an unseemly obstruction of the walks or become too conspicuous a feature of the scenerj', a summerhouse was designed, with a view to the following advantages: It is entered by a few steps from three different lines of walk; it contains separate seats for twenty-five people, protected under all circumstances from ordinary summer showers; it allows six children to take water from the fountain at once; it is very airy, the softest breeze passing freely through it. The seats are so disposed as, though shadowed, to be well lighted and to be each under constant inspection of the passing watch- men and the public through an opposite archwa3^ The house is closed at nightfall and in winter. These precautions have enabled ladies to use it in large numbers, free from the annoyances which often deter them from entering sheltered resting places in parks. Standing on sloping ground, the floor is kept at the lower level and the walls and roof of brick and tile as low as practicable, so that at a short distance the eye ranges over them. That thej^ ma}' be more inconspicuous, the walls are banked about with natural rock, and slopes of specially prepared soils favorable to the growth of various creepers and rock plants, by which, except to one standing opposite to the entrance arches and turning to observe them, the entire structure will be wholly lost to view. From within the walls there opens on the uphill side a cool, dark runnel of water, supplied from the overflow of the fountain at the west entrance to the Capitol. The spray of this rapid rivulet, with that from the waste water of the drinking fountain, maintains a moisture of the air favorable to the growth of ferns and mosses upon the inner rockwork. What is chieflj" hoped for, however, is that under the conditions provided a growth of ivy may have been secured, gradually reproducing the characteristic exquisite beauty of this ever- green in its native haunts. Man}' good examples of it, though not of its best estate, may be seen about Washington. The visitor interested is particularly advised to see those in the cemeter}^ at West Washing- ton (Georgetown). The trees about the summerhouse, though hardy and suited to the circumstances, will all have a somewhat quaint or exotic aspect. They include the willow oak, the cedrella, the oleaster, two sorts of ara- lias, and the golden catalpa. The vistas or general lines of view to which all the planting and all the structures upon the ground have been fitted may be more fully stated. Disregarding shrubbery, to be kept below the plane of sight toward the Capitol, openings are maintained, through which direct front views of the central portico and the Dome will be had from the outer parts of the ground, upon opposite sides, and diagonal perspective p 1—03 14 210 PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. views of the entire facades from four directions. In six other ditec- tions from the center of the structure only low-headed trees are planted, so that in each case the Capitol may be seen rising above banks of foliage from points several miles distant. It is unnecessary to say that by the same disposition of the planta- tions, views outwardly from the Capitol are kept open, but attention may be called to the beauty and breadth, almost approaching grand- eur, of the prospect up and down and across the valley of the Poto- mac, and to the design that when the present young plantations are full grown this great advantage of the Capitol shall not be lost. The introduction of the proposed architectural terrace will indeed admit no trees to stand so near, or on ground so elevated, that they will even obstruct the present distant view from the main or even the ground floor. The plantations in this direction, however, will in time obscure the nearer part of the city and form a continuous strong, consistent foreground to the further sylvan slopes. From the terrace these plantations will in some degree limit the views to the northward and southward, but through the removal of the old central avenue and the broad gap left between the trees on the west an outlook is obtained between the northern and the southern divisions of the city in which a slope of unbroken turf, seen over a strongly defined and darkly shadowed architectural base, will be the foreground; a wooded plain, extending a mile beyond the foot of the slope the middle distance, and the partly overgrown, partl}^ cultivated hills beyond the depression of the Potomac the background; the latter so far removed that in summer conditions of light and atmosphere it is often blue, misty, and ethereal. Because, perhaps, of the influence of the cool waters of the river passing between the dry hills from north to south across this field of vision, sunset effects are often to be enjoj'^ed from the west face of the Capitol of a rare loveliness. INDEX TO TREES ABOUT THE CAPITOL, WITH ADVICE TO VISITORS INTERESTED IN THEM. The interest shown by many visitors in the young growth about the Capitol and the character of the inquiries made by them is a gratify- ing evidence of the growing preparation of the public mind to give economic forestry its due national importance, and also of a rising disposition to study the choice of trees and methods of using them as aids to public health and comfort, and as means for the decoration of homes and the improvement of scenery. As to citizens from all parts of the country and to visitors from abroad, the Capitol is often the first and a more continuous attraction than any other in Washington, it is not surprising that its small PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 211 plantations should receive more than their due share of attention rel- atively to other expositions of sylviculture near by. It is for this reason desired not only that such information about them as is more commonly wanted ma}^ be made readily attainable and that misleading in^pressions of the purposes they are meant to serve may be guarded against, but that visitors may be advised of THE ADVANTAGES OTHERWISE OFFERED IN WASHINGTON FOR THE STUDY AND THE ENJOYMENT OF TREES. The climate of Washington is subject to great extremes of heat and cold, dampness and dryness, but, for some not clearly established reasons, it seems to admit of an unusual range of vegetation, and allows of the growth in a more or less vigorous or depressed way of numerous woody plants not known far to the northward, and of some not common to the southward, except at considerable elevations. It is hospitable, also, to a larger number of foreign trees than the climate of most other parts of the country. The Capitol ground is not planted with the least purpose to show what is possible in either respect; the aim in the larger part of it has been to avoid exciting interest through the exhibition of strange qualities in trees, especially of such as might be suggestive of unnat- ural or forced conditions, or of stratagems of horticulture, nor have the trees to be found in it been given position with a view to conspicu- ously presenting their individual qualities; rather, for reasons that will be later given, it has been designed to obscure these. But, as visitors to the Capitol often find trees that happen to be new to them, and about which they wish to be better informed, labels have been placed before a large number, giving names under which inquiries can be made. With these as memoi'anda, and such other facilities as are supplied by the maps and tables herewith, it is hoped that the Capitol ground ma}" serve to many as an introduction to such better opportunities as are offered in the city, there being few trees within it of which more instructive, because older, examples are not to be seen near by and better exhibited because planted with the design of exhibition. The several Government plantations in which the}" may be looked for are unfortunatel}' divided, fragmentary, and, each bv itself, incom- prehensive and incomplete, thus marking the result of sporadic and unsustained legislative efforts, and even of efforts in some cases a little at cross purposes one with another. Yet, taken together and with the natural growths accidentalh" available to supplement them, these plantations promise to be of no little value with respect to the long course of patient study upon which the infant science of American forestr}' has yet to be brought up. Young as the}^ are. nowhere else in the country can as wide a range of trees be found equally advanced, 212 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. and this is of the more national value because of the close dependence of the science of forestiy upon that of meteorology and the fact that nowhere else in the country are as full, accurate, precise, and scientific- ally collated local meteorological records accessible as in Washington. Of the Government plantations referred to that of the National Botanic Garden adjoins the Capitol ground on the west. Its germ was a collection made by the Wilkes exploring expedition in 18'1:2, of which but one hardy tree remains alive, an invalid Jujube {Zizyjykus). The site was and is unsuitable and inadequate for the purpose, and the curator has had and still has to contend with obstacles of man}" kinds, the deadliest being a lack of intelligent public interest in the scientific objects of a botanic garden, and an excess of interest in its adventi- tious and recreative incidents. Among the exposed trees visitors from the North ma}' be glad to have their attention called to those named below. '^ The Botanic Garden is managed directly by Congress through its library committees.'' Half a mile westward is another national collection managed ly the agricultural bureau of the Department of the Interior. It includes several hundred sorts of hard}^ trees and shrubs, most of which were planted between 1865 and 1870. The trees can not yet, of course, begin to exhibit their mature character, but they are well grown for their age and generally of excellent promise, forming the most instruct- ive collection in the country. As the first step toward a national for- estr}" system it must be regretted that the bureau could not have been allowed more space and means. In twenty years, if thrifty, the trees will in many cases be crowding one another. An official lif-:t of the trees can be procured. The curator is Mr. William Saunders. The grounds between the botanic and the agricultural collections, originall}" planned during the Administration of the elder President Adams as a public promenade, under the name of "The Mall," but •■'The Bull Bay, or great evergreen Magnolia of the South {Magnolia grandiflora); the Pecan {Carya olivseformis); the Whahoo {Ulmus alata); the Black Maple {Acer saccarinum nigrum), a variety of the sugar maple growing better in the South than the common Northern kind; good-sized specimens of the Colchican Maple {Acer colchi- cum), from Armenia; the Pride of China, the common avenue tree of the cotton States {Melia azederach); the Asiatic nettle tree {Celtis orientnlis); the Cedar of Lebanon {Cedrus Lehani); the Cedar of Mount Atlas (C Ailantica); the Cedar of the Sierras {Libocedrus decurrens); Christ's Thorn {Zizyphus vulgaris); European and Japanese Yews {Taxas hascata slricta) , and T. adpressa a.n& Podocarpus taxifoUa; the Chinese Water Pine {Glyjytostrobus sineusus) ; theSoapberry {Sapindus marginata) , and Sterculia platifolia. ""'A library filled with volumes written by Nature, and which those who have learned the language of Nature can read and enjoy with a satisfaction as much keener than anything that man-made books can give as it is nearer to the source of all truth." — L. F. Ward, Bulletin of the National Museum, No. 22. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 213 neglected and its design gradually lost sight of, is now provisionall}' divnded into two widely different plantations. That nearest the Capi- tol was laid out and planted between 1872 and 1878 by Orville Bab- cock, colonel of militar}^ engineers. It consists of small sections of mixed forestrj^ with borders of shrubbery framed within formal lines of standard trees; the different sections separated in one direction by straight streets retained from the earlier design, and in the other hj roads of formal curvature with decorative planting near the junctions. The surface is generally low, the soil better than that of the other grounds, the trees at present well cared for, atid except a few conifers, the removal of which will be a gain, of promising appearance. They are under the office of the commissioner or buildings, attached to the Executive Mansion, at present Col. A. F. Rockwell, U. S. A. West of Colonel Babcock's work is what has been called the Smith- sonian Park, but though originating in the impulse to which the founding of the Institution of that name gave rise, and contiguous to its building, it has unfortunately never been under the same enlight- ened management. It should have special and reverent attention, as representing the onlj^ essay, strictly speaking, yet made under our Government in landscape gardening, for though the aim of the Capitol ground planting is more than decorative, it is necessarily too prim and niggling, and is too much controlled b}" engineering and archi- tectural considerations, to be entitled to that full rank. This of the Smithsonian was the last and the onl}" important public work of Downing, who was not only a master of the art, but distinctl}" a man of genius, of whom his country should alwa3^s be proud. It was designed as a composition of natural scenery appropriate to be assoei- ated with a national seat of learning, and was regarded ])v him as the first step in a scheme of planting to be extended in one connected design to the White House and the Potomac. Upon Downing's untimely death, in 1852, the larger desig'n was suspended, graduall}?^ lost sight of, and the ground has since been in considerable part laid out under successive acts of Congress b}" parcels, with a variety of local motives, none of which have as 3"et been fully realized. As to that actuall}" planted under Downing's instructions, those to whom he gave them soon dropped off'; neglect and ill usage followed; it is in parts stuff}' and crowded, and in others run down and poverty-stricken, but in no other planted ground near Washington is there, or does there promise to be, any tree beauty to compare with what has been already attained in it. Under its shades Government has allowed a modest memorial of the artist to be placed by private subscription. Nowhere will a monu- ment be found commemorating a riper fruit of the Republic, more honorable aspirations, or devotion to a higher standard of patriotic duty. 214 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Near the Agricultural ground there is an interesting collection of hardy aquatic plants in the inclosure of the Government Fish Com- mission, and in adjoining buildings of the Smithsonian Institution and National Museum there are collections of woods and of tree products and of fossil woods and plants. The public streets of Washington have been planted, mainly between 1870 and 1880, with upwards of tifty thousand (56,000) trees of twenty different sorts. A list showing where rows of each maj^ be observed can be found in the report of the Parking Commission. Though a considerable proportion are of quick-growing kinds, to. which most experts object as too straggling in mature habit, too fragile, liable to accident, and short lived, and though the amount and quality of soil provided is seldom adequate to a long-continued vigorous growth, the work on the whole is the best and most instructive example of town- planting to be seen on the continent. If well followed up in the care of the trees the results will give Washington a distinction among the capital towns of the world — a distinction original, representative, and historic; natural, racy of the soil, congenial with the climate, in unques- tionable good taste, indisputablj" excellent and admirable; little of which can be claimed of the results of most outlays that have been made by government for the improvement of the city. The work thus far has been done with even over-strained economy under the unbroken superintendence of three professional tree masters, William R. Smith, curator of the Botanic Garden; William Saunders, of the agricultural tree collection, and John Saul, who, under Down- ing, thirty years ago planted the Smithsonian Park, of either of whom information ma}^ be obtained, and to whom thanks for a service to the nation, as yet too little appreciated, may well be given. In the woods of natural growth about Washington many sorts of trees may be found that are not indigenous in the extreme north. Among them there is the Liquid Amber or Sweet Gum (Z. styraci- ■flua)^ the Willow Oak {Quercus phellos)^ the Laurel Oak {Querciis hnbricaria) , the Persimmon {Diosj}i//'os m^rgiiiiana), the American Holly {Ilex ojxica), the Black Walnut {Inglans nigra), the Swamp Magnolia {M. glanca)^ the Red Birch {Betula nigra), a strikingly rustic beauty of extreme grace, as commonly observed on w^ater banks here- abouts, and the Catalpa {C. hignonioides). The first two may be found in low grounds, often in association with the Tupelo or Sour Gum {Nyssa multifiora)^ the White Ash {Fraxiims americana)^ the Scarlet Maple {Acer 7'uhmm),the Scarlet Oak {Q. coc- cinea), the Sassafras {8. officinale)^ which, rarely seen except as a shrub in the far North, is here a stout and lofty tree, richly furnished, very sportive in its forms of foliage, and often excelling all other deciduous trees in picturesqueness, and the Dogwood {Cornais fiorkla), growing with a dense spreading head to a height of thirty feet. These, with PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 215 other cornels, several of the shrubby sumacs {Hhus), the Climbing Sumac (H. toxicodendron)^ Bitter Sweet {Celastrus scandeus)^ and Vir- ginia Creeper (Ampelopsis qumquefplui), all being remarkable for their autumnal tints, and each in a difierent way, form combinations novel and delightful to the Northern ej^e. In a favorable season, near the fall of the leaf, visitors from over .sea will nowhere find a more gorge- ous S3'lvan spectacle than is thus presented within a mile of the cit}^, and this without a stroke of intentional aid from any human hand. The effect is often augmented by lower growths than an}- that have been named, as of huckleberries and brambles, b}^ bright fruits and haws, and by golden and purple blooms of herbaceous plants. Of trees to which Europeans may like to have their attention directed, in addition to those alreadj^ named, there are growing wild, and of frequent occurrence, two American Elms, the Black Cherry {Pnmus scrotlna), different examples of which var}" much, but often a remarkably elegant and graceful tree, near Washington; the Ameri- can Beech {J^agus ferruginia)^ a neater and more delicate tree than the European; the Tulip {Liriodendron tulipifua)^ growing to great height and in perfection; the Chestnut {Castanea vesca (unericana)^ alwa3's, when well grown, a noble tree, but when early in June in bloom, the most glorious object of our woods; the Hickories (Oari/a), the Butternut ( Tnglans cinerea), and eighteen (indigenous) sorts of oaks, at the head of which the White Oak {Q. alba) is, under favor- able conditions, full}' as noble a monarch of the forest as its European brother, the Sacred Oak of the Druids {Q. jjedunculata). Yet, per- haps, for broad landscape values others are of more consequence, and of these some, from their more feminine beaut}", reward close obser- vation also. The best scenery about Washington depends for its char- acter chiefly on oaks. The Capitol ground has good examples of several (see list appended), of which the best were grown from acorns upon it or in the adjoining Botanic Garden. The largest, standing alone on the turf northeast of the Washington elm, was transplanted from a distance when eighteen inches in diameter. A number of shrubs, known only as garden plants in the North, grow wild in profusion about Washington, the most striking and beautiful, both in leaf and flower, being the Virginia Fringe-tree {Chionanthus virginica). This, with the Silver Bell {Ilalesia tetraj)- tera) and the Virgilia or Yellowwood {Oladastri.s tint-tor ia) may often be seen in the form of small trees, the last two attaining a height occasionally of 30 feet or more, with graceful forms, and light and delicate spray and leafage. The Chinquapin, or Dwarf Chestnut {Castanea 2)uniila) ^ also grows naturally about Washington. Other small trees and bushes, all more or less planted now in Europe, but which foreigners may like to see in their native wild state, and which are common, are the Shad bush {Anielanchiev canadensis)^ a 216 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. small tree of great refinement of aspect; the American Witch Hazel {Ilanimomelis canadensis)^ several Viburnums and Huckleberries, and the Spice bush {Lindera henzoin). • Wild grapes and Trumpet-creeper {Bignonia radlcans) are also common, and both often lend a charm to situations that would otherwise be the reverse of attractive. Such situations are unfortunately common near Washington, because mainly so much of the land has been ravaged of its natural fertility by a reckless agriculture, and because, when once cleared of its pri- meval vegetation, it does not, as it might further north, become natu- rally clothed b3^any form of turf or other close-knitting, surface-rooting growth, and is, in consequence, subject to be kept raw and gullied by the action of frost and rains. Under these cii'cumstances, whatever charm there might otherwise be in the landscapes is often wholly destroyed by foreground condi- tions of repulsive rawness and shabbiness. In most parts of Europe, not naturally turfy, such land would be systematically planted with trees. Here, with the relatively high market value of money for various other forms of commercial enterprise, such a use of it has not yet been proved profitable. It may be observed, also, that no plants are here indigenous like heather, gorse, or broom, such as in Europe often give a picturesque and at times exceedingl}" lovely aspect to sterile situations, otherwise of forbidding character. It is not certain that these plants might not be naturalized (a few plants of broom of several years' happy growth may be seen in the C^apitol ground). It is highly prol^ablc that the native American ally of the broom, called Woadwaxen {Genista tinctoria), found in a few localities to the north- ward, if introduced, would serve their purpose. But at present woody vines of various sorts are chiefly of value in this respect, and of this value an admirable illustration may be observed in Mr. Saul's nursery, where a large extent of caving banks on the border of a small stream, occasional! J" becoming a torrent, have been made within a few years the most agreeable feature of the local scener}^, the few plants of Japanese (subevergreen) honeysuckle {Louicera })r()da)^ originally set, having spread with the greatest profusion, so that in June there are acres of ground over which the air is loaded with the delicious perfume of their ])loom. A characteristic exhibition of the same plant ma}" be seen south of the summerhouse on the Capitol ground, and near it a variety of plants adapted to dress rough ground unfit for turf. Among the best of these is the Saint John's wort {Hyporicwii)^ of which several species are native to the region. The Red Cedar {Juniperusvirginiana)^ near Washington, generally assumes a form so different from that common in man}" parts of the North that it may pass unrecognized, and an effect, distantly recalling one much beloved by Turner and seen in most of his landscapes of southern Europe, sometimes occurs (on the hills north of the Reform PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTllICT OF COLUMBIA. 217 School on the eastern road to Bladensburg Spa, for example), the horizontal strata of the Italian Stone Pine beinp^ represented by the Yellow Pine {Pin us mitis), and the fastigiate Cypress by the form referred to of the Red Cedar. Two short excursions may be recommended to the visitor wishing to cursorily observe the general character of the natural forest. One through the romantic woods of Rock Creek, best made on foot or in the saddle, taking by the way the Government property of the Sol- diers' Home, which contains man}^ introduced coniferous trees of about thirt}^ years' growth. The other by rowing on the Potomac above West Washington, where boats for the purpose can be had. This offers a pleasing illustration of closely wooded American riverside scener}^, large in general outline and mass, with considerable pictur- esqueness of detail under the shadow of moderately well-grown forest trees. It is much resorted to, and somewhat misused and damaged by boating and picnic parties. It is hard that in the interest of posterity these two sylvan treasures of the capital, the wooded declivities of the Upper Potomac and the wilds of Rock Creek, can not in some wa}" be protected against the destructiveness which the hope of the smallest private pecuniary profit is liable at any moment to bring upon them. Samples ma}' be already found of the hateful desert which ma}^ be thus quickly substituted. The scope of the foregoing advice has been limited to trees and woody plants. Those who wish to have a more extended list of what may be looked for, as well as all interested, whether as botanists or as lovers of nature in local, annual, perennial plants, will find the best of aid in a Government publication prepared by Mr. Lester F. Ward, of the Smithsonian Institution (Guide to the Flora of Washington — Bulletin No. 22, of the National Museum). Of the banks of the Potomac above referred to, Mr. Ward says: '"'The ))eauty of their natural flower-gardens in the months of April and Ma}^ is unequaled in my experience." Elsewhere he states that fifty several sorts of plants may usually be found in flower before the 1st of April (p. 31) — that is to say, before, in the latitude of Albany, the ground may ])e unlocked from ice. 218 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. LIST OF TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL GROUNDS. Habitat. Abelia rupestris China. Acer campestre. English field maple Europe. Acer dasycari^um. Silver maple Atlantic States. Acer laetum Caucasus. Acer palmatum Japan. atropur^jureum Japan. versicolor .Japan. laciniata variegata Japan. rosea marginata Japan. reticulatum Japan. micranthum Japan. polj^cristata Japan. ^sculus glabra. Ohio buckeye Western States. .^sculus hipioocastanum. Horse-chestnut Persia. Aralia chinensis Eastern Asia. spinosa. Hercules' club Atlantic States. Amorpha fruticosa. False indigo Atlantic States. Aucuba Japonica Japan. Azalia amcena China. mollis Japan. nudiflora Atlantic States. Benzoin odorif erum. Spice bush Atlantic States. Berberis aquifolium. Oregon grapes North Pa<'ific States. f ortunei China. japonica. Japan mahonia Japan. thunbergii Japan. vulgaris. Barberry - Europe. vulgaris atropurpurena. Purple l>arberry Hort. Betula alba. White birch North Europe. lenta. Black hivch xltlantic States. Buxus Japonica Japan. sempervirens, var. Tree box Europe. Round-leaved box Hort. Golden variegated box Hort. Narrow-leaved box Hort. Callicarpa Americana South Atlantic States, Calycanthus floridus. Sweet-scented shrub South Atlantic States. Caragana arborescens. Si Iberian pea Siberia. Carpinas caroliniana. Water beech Atlantic States. duinensis Caucasus. Carya olivwformis. Pecan nut Western States. Castanea pumila. Chinquajiin Southern States. vesca. Sweet chestnut Europe. Catalpa bignonioides South Atlantic States. Catalpa bignonoides aurea. Golden catalpa Hort. bungei, var. nana. Dwarf catalpa Hort. Cedrella sinensis Northern China. Celastrus scandeus. Bittersweet Atlantic States. Cereis eanadenis. Red 1 )ud Atlantic States. chinensis Eastern Asia. PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 219 Habitat. Chameecyparis obtusa. (Retinospora) Japan. nana. (Retinospo) Japan. plumosa. (Retinospora) Japan. squarrosa. (Retinospora) Japan. I^isifera. ( Retinospora) Japan. aurea. ( Retinospora ) Japan . Chionanthus virginica. Fringe tree Routh Atlantic States. Cladrastis tinctoria. Yellowwood Kentucky and Tennessee. Clerodendron trichotomum Japan. Clethra aluifolia. White alder Atlantic States. Colueta arborescens. Bladder senna Europe. Cornus florida. Flowering dogwood Atlantic States. mas. Cornel Europe. variegata Hort. paniculata North Atlantic States. stolonifera. Red osier Atlantic States. stricta. Stiff cornel Southern States. Corylus americanus. American hazel Atlantic States. tupulosa atropurdurea. Purple hazel Europe. Cotoneaster acuminata simonsii Himalayas. microphy ] la Siberia. Crataegus crus-galli, var. New Castle thorn Atlantic States. oxyacantha. Hawthorn Europe. var. Hawthorn Europe. Daphne cheoreum Europe. Deutzia gracilis Japan. scabra .* Japan. fiore pleuo Hort. purpurea Hort. Diervilla hortensis Japan. alba Hort. nivea Hort. graridiflora variegata Hort. rosea China. amabilis Hort. foliis variegata Hort. grandiflora, var. Van Houttei Hort. Diospyros virginiana. Persimmon Atlantic States. Eleagnus hortensis Southern Europe. Erica carnea Europe. politiolia Europe. Euonymus americanus. Strawl terry bush Atlantic States. atropurpureus. Burning ))ush Atlantic States. Japonicus Japan. variegata Hort. radicans Japan. Fagus ferruginea. American beech Atlantic States. sylvatica. European beech Europe. purpurea. Purple beech Europe. incisa. Cut-leaved l^eech Europe. Forsythia f ortunei China. suspensa China. vividissima China. 220 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Habitat. Fraxinus americana. White ash Atlantic States. excelsior. European ash Europe. Gymnocladus canadensis. Kentucky coffee tree Western States. Halesia tetraptera. Silver bell South Atlantic States. Hedera helix hibernica. Irish ivy Europe. Hibiscus syriacus. Althea Syria. Hippophfe rhamnoides. Sea buckthorn Europe. Hydrangea hortensea Japan. paniculata grandiflora Japan. Hypericum prolificum. St. John's wort Atlantic States. Idesia polycarpa Japan. Ilex aquifolium. English holly Europe. augustif olium Hort. ferox. Hedgehog holly Hort. argentea Hort. aurea Hort. opaca. American holly Atlantic States. Jasminum nudiflorum. Yellow jessamine China. Juniperus recurva squamata Nepaul. sabina. Jmiiper Northern Hemisphere. nana. Prostrate juniper Northern States. tamariscifolia Europe. Koelreuteria paniculata China. Laburnum \'ulgare. Golden chain Europe. Lagerstraemia indica rubra. Crepe myrtle India. Ligustrum ovalif olium J apan. vulgare. Privet Europe. Liquidamljar styraciflua. Sweet gum Atlantic States. Liriodendron tulipif era. Tulip tree Atlantic States. Lonicera brachypoda. Honeysuckle Japan. aurea reticulata Japan. f ragrantissima. Bush honeysuckle China. tartarica. Tartarian honeysuckle Siberia. Maciura aurantiaca. Osage orange Arkansas. Magnolia acuminata. Cucumber tree Atlantic States. conspiVashington. The Architectural Review, Boston, Mass., vol. Ill, No. IV, 1894. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 229 a commission to formulate a scheme for the future grouping of Gov- ernment buildings and the treatment of the parks, so as to be in har- mony one with the other, and thus attain a grand artistic result as a whole. Senator McMillan, with a broad foresight of the necessity of such study and a keen appreciation of the fact that onl}^ the best men should be selected for such a commission, acted upon the suggestion of the institute and appointed D. H. Burnham and F. L. Olmsted, jr., giving them the power to select a third man, who it was well known would be Mr. Charles F. McKim. In a short time after its organization the committee added Mr. Augustus St. Gaudens to their number, so as to obtain his advice on sculptural matters. This was an ideal commission — a commission of education, experience, refine- ment, executive ability, all of whom had shown themselves by their executed work to be men of capacity and able to handle the broad sub- ject which was submitted to them for stud}^ A successful and artistic solution was never doubtful after it was placed in their hands. The report was submitted to the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia on January 1.5, 1902, and unanimously approved. The drawings and models which formed a part and accompanied the report were placed and hung in the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and graphicall}" presented the scheme, while numerous bromide enlarge- ments of photographs of vistas, parkwa3^s, fountains, and other park embellishments are on exhibition to illustrate work of a similar char- acter done in this country and Europe. The exhibit fills two large rooms and one small room. The water-colors and prints are carefully hung so as to prevent conflict in scale, desig'n, or color, and both illus- trations and models are well lighted. In the entrance hall is placed an enlarged view of L'Enfant's map as the keynote of the proposed plan. The first drawing to attract attention is the general plan. The Capitol building is the crowning feature on the east of the Mall. Around it are grouped the buildings for legislative purposes, so situ- ated as not to destroy, but to enhance, the original vistas and inclose the Capitol with monumental and pleasing structures. On the west of the Capitol grounds Union square, without trees, with its three dignified statues of Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan, and its north and south ends guarded ]jy two Government buildings, forms an imposing end for the Capitol grounds and a proper beginning for the Mall. From Union square to the Monument stretches a green sward 300 feet wide, about li miles in length, flanked on either side hj four rows of American elms, with one cross vista about midway between the Monu- ment and the Capitol. The formal treatment of elms broaden into a Greek cross of 1,200 feet in width at the Monument, giving it a set- ting and scale, which appears to me could not be obtained by any other treatment. The Monument is placed on a horizontal plane, below which on the 230 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ' west is a broad terrace from which a flight of steps descends 40 feet to a formal garden, enriched by parterres, hedges, fountains, pavil- lions, terraces, and formal planting of elms. From the Monument to the river the open vista continues of the same width as the tapis vert between the Monument and the Capitol, but instead of lawn the prin- cipal surface is water with a canal about 200 feet wide and 3,600 feet long, and in this section a cross canal over 1,000 feet long is intro- duced. The vista from the Monument is ended by the Lincoln Memo- rial, which is placed on the river bank, about 2^ miles from the capitol. From the Lincoln Memorial the Memorial Bridge crosses the Potomac at an angle to the axis of the Capitol, having as its vista in one direc- tion the stately old building of Arlington, and in the other direction the Lincoln Memorial. The original plan of L'Enfant located an equestrian monument to Washington on the intersection of the north and south axis of the White House and the east and west axis of the Capitol. The Wash- ington Monument as built was about 75 feet south of the axis of the Capitol and 500 feet east of the axis of the White House. The commission has boldly fixed the principal axis of the contem- plated improvement on the axis of the Monument and the Capitol, but the difl'erence was too great to deflect the treatment so as to make a false axis with the White House. The solution adopted by the park commission in overcoming this error has produced happy results. The major cross axis to the Mall begins with a group of buildings around Lafayette Square in proximity to the President's House, for the Exec- utive Departments, with the Executive Mansion as the central feature. On the east and west of what is known as the "White Lot," the grounds south of the President's House are planted with -i rows of linden trees. From the White House there is an uninterrupted view across the broad circle through the low garden of the Monument to the Temple of the Makers of the Constitution, and down the broad Potomac between the hills of Maryland and Virginia. It is proposed to erect buildings for the various scientific departments of the Gov- ernment, for exhibition and museums purposes, on the north and south of the Mall. North on B street it is proposed to purchase the prop- ertj^ between Penns3dvania avenue and B street and here locate the various municipal buildings for the District government, the armory and drill hall which is to be used for Presidential inauguration balls, the market, etc. The space between New York avenue and B street, it is suggested, together with the space between Mar3dand avenue and B street south, should be taken and made a part of the park system. By the treatment adopted the original vistas are maintained and new vistas established by the Memorial to the Constitution Makers, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Arlington House. The area between the Capitol and the Monument has its formal PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OE COLUMBIA. 231 planting of elms and formal grouping of buildings. The area between the Monument and the river is treated as a dense forest, with its broad opening between the Monument and the Lincoln Memorial and smaller walks radiating from various points of interest, and the area from the White House to the river with broad lawns and open vistas. The bird's-e3"e view illustrates the general scheme as described in connection with the plan. The detailed views naturall}' divide them- selves into five groups — the Capitol, the Monument, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Memorial to the Constitution Makers. The Capitol division shows the streets facing the present grounds on three sides occupied by classical Government buildings, and the west front brought out to a square as indicated in Thornton's plat and open to Union Square and the Mall. The terrace fronting Union Square gives an additional base to the Capitol and will add materially to its imposing effect. The terrace is flanked b}^ marble reproductions of the Bulfinch gatehouses, which were removed to make way for the improve- ment of the grounds in 1876, and the gateposts which were removed at the same time, although discarded, they are far more in harmony with the structure than the architectural embellishments which took their place, and it should please us to see reproductions replaced. From the center of the higher terrace of the Capitol a fountain is brought by a series of cascades to a basin of no mean dimensions. Around this basin the steps wind, and the terrace and basin are richly treated with balustrades and fountains. The general effect of the ter- race cascade and three dignified statues of Generals Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan are shown in Union Square in the perspectiv^e view look- ing from the west side of the square. From the roof of the Capitol a view is shown of Union Square and the east end of the Mall, with its grouping of classical buildings. The Monximent division. — The tapis vert which extends from Union Square ends with the Monimient, where statel}" lines of elms broaden into the cross which surrounds the Monument. The Monument, as it stands to-day on a small hillock, suggests a shaft sprouting from the ground. It needs a horizontal plaza or line at its base. This base is given by a treatment of marble terraces on which are formally planted American elms. On the east the plaza is but little above the surface of the ground, and on the west a broad flight of steps leads to the formal garden 10 feet below. The view from the Mall shows the effective results of the white horizontal line of the marble terrace. The sunken garden is surmounted by marble terraces on which are planted a dense growth of elms. In a small room separated from the other portions of the exhibition is placed a model of the Monument, with its terraces, garden, and formal planting of trees. This model presents a clear idea to the mind of the garden — cool basins of water, fountains, cascades, and the shaded 232 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. groves — which will give scale to the Monument and comfort and pleas- ure to the populace, while it allows them to enjoy the pleasures of the gardens, fountains, the dignified shaft, and many beautiful vistas and distant views, of water, hill, forest, art objects and their various com- binations, as well as affording places for rest during leisure hours in the hot summer weather of our climate. The Monument will be approximately 600 feet high from the garden level. In the midst of trees, with charming effect, are placed resting pavilions, and in the garden below small classical pavilions, and on the plaza and in the basin below are many fountains. The various charming vistas which may be obtained from the Monument or its garden are illustrated by several views, one of the White House from a point near the white marble terrace; the garden, with the White House in the distance, and a general view of the Mall, with formal elms and classical buildings, with the Monument garden in the foreground. T1\e Lincoln memorial. — Although the Capitol and Monument with their surroundings are great objects of beauty which are emphasized and enhanced by the proposed park treatment, they are hardly more imposing, important, or pleasing than the temple portico, which forms the west vista over the basin of the canal from the Monument. The effect of the Lincoln memorial is charming in refinement and simplicity where it overlooks the basin of the canal on the east, with fountains and terraces in the foreground. It is still more interesting and pleas- ing where it overlooks the river and forms a center from which the river-side drive to the parks and the memorial bridge radiate. From the Monument the memorial stands serene and restful at the end of the vista, with the broad canal in the foreground flanked by a dense growth of trees, with the Potomac River and the Virginia hills as a fit- ting background. The dense shaded forest and radiating walks and drives from the circle around the Lincoln memorial indicate some of its attractions. Memorial to the Constitution makers. — On the axis of the White House and directly south is located the memorial to the Constitution makers. On the north this memorial faces the Washington common, where games and athletic sports are to be held, and on the south it faces the large basin which ma}- be used for aquatic sports in summer and skating in winter. The charming view from the White House across the great circle over the sunken garden to the memorial of the Constitution makers and the broad Potomac beyond is well depicted in the vista from the White House. The models. — Installed in the hemicycle are two models made to a scale of 1 foot equal to 1,000 feet, showing the Mall and the adjacent parks of the city as it is at present, and another showing the city as the park commission suggest or advise that it should eventuall}^ be. The first model brings to our attention how completely a good plan PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 233 can be ruined by the want of proper sympathj^ and lack of knowledge of no doubt well-meaning and intelligent people. Each individual park and each individual building is located and laid out as if it was the only object to be considered, both buildings and parks are belit- tled, dignity and interest lost. This is to be wondered at when we remember the plan of L'Enfant was continuously^ in possession of the park makers and builders. The view from the Monument to the Capitol is over a tangle of trees and past a jumble of buildings with no relation to each other, each marring the effect of the other. The trees in themselves are, of course, beautiful, but so planted that they can not be enjoyed. Looking from the Capitol, in the fore- ground is the unsightly Botanic Garden, and then the Penns34vania Railroad, and again the tangle of trees, with no general system of design. This model also depicts very graphically the haphazard method of selected sites for Government buildings, without any effort at unity or harmony of grouping, and the ruthless destruction of vistas, which was the fundamental, unique, and distinctive feature of the original plan. It is impossible to understand the ignoring of the simple and dignified grouping suggested on theL'Enfantplan or of the destruction of the vistas. One example, which ma}^ l)e seen in the building of the Library of Congress, cutting off and belittling the Capitol, and another the War, State, and Navy building, obtruding past the White House. The destruction of park effects b}^ inhar- monious structures with their rear on the parks is well illustrated by the Army Medical Museum. The prominence of the new city post-office on Pennsylvania avenue is l)rought forcibly to the attention on both models of the city, and the fact is noted that it is out of harmony with its present surround- ings and hopelessly incongruous in connection with those of the future. The model of the Mall showing the suggested treatment of grouping of future buildings is a great object lesson, demonstrating what may be accomplished by simplicity, dignity, and a similarity of treatment in, and a simple grouping of classic structures, emphasizing the points of interest, not belittling them by an attempt to make prominent each individual structure, but so locating and designing the main features, the (vapitol, the Monument, the Lincoln memorial, the Executive Man- sion, and the memorial to the Constitution makers, as to make all land- scape and buildings lead up to these structures and make them dominate the sj^stem. The park commission has been able, fortunately, with the broad- minded officials of the Pennsylvania Railroad, to secure the promised removal of the tracks and the station from the Mall, where it has been a blot upon the landscape and a bar to any systematic or harmonious design of the Mall as an approach to the Capitol. This accomplish- ment would justify all the work expended by the commission as well 234 PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. as many times the expense incurred by the Government. This indi- cates a very hopeful condition when a great corporation shows a dis- position to give up its legal rights for the artistic benefit of the country. Ma^) of Parks. — The park commission have on exhibition maps show- ing the park areas of London, Paris, New York, and Boston, as well as the present and contemplated park areas of Washington. This exhibit forcibly illustrates the small area devoted to parks in our cities when compared with foreign cities. A very important feature that will add materially to the beauty of the park commission's work consists of the suggestions for connec- tions between various park areas in the District of Columbia, the acquirement of new park areas, the broad methods of treating the various parks, and the calling attention to the ground which should be acquired to protect and preserve the best landscape effects. The new areas which are recommended for parks consist in a water park east of Washington made by damming the eastern branch and leclaiming portions of the marshes which now exist on this river, reclaiming the marshes in the Anacostia River south of the city, park- ing the Palisades of the Potomac from Georgetown to the District line, parking both sides of liock Creek from Twenty-fifth street to the Zo- ological Park. The water park will give broad water effects at the end of vistas for several of the principal streets, as well as making a link in the park system of the city. The Palisades of the Potomac, l)eing a high 1)1 uff on the north side of the river, when treated artistically with walks and drives, will give the people of the country an opportunit}'' whicin they do not now have of enjoying the many beautiful and picturesque views of the Potomac, with its broad surfaces of water dotted with islands, its steep and pic- turesque banks, its many rapids and small falls, together with the many and delightful rivulets which rush and tumble over bowlders and rocks on their wa}^ to the Potomac. The connections between the various parks and proposed parks was a subject of vital importance to the system, and this has been well con- sidered. The natural connection between the Mall and the Rock Creek parks is along the valley of Rock Creek. Diagonal connections are contemplated through natural valleys between the park along the Potomac an-d Rock Creek, and many of these valle3^s give rare oppor- tunities for beautiful and picturesque connections. Between Rock Creek and the Soldiers' Home connections are arranged along Piney Branch, at one time a wonderfuU}^ pleasing and effective stream, but now much damaged by improvement, as well as by widening Savannah street into a parkway. Connections are suggested between the Anacostia water park, over wooded hills, which offer charming views toward the city and Potomac. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 235 The connection between the park and Arlington will be over the new memorial bridg-e, which will give direct and easy access to the sunken park on Analostan Island. The_v also suggest a formal treatment of wharves and a connection b}^ an elevated boulevard between the Mall and the Arsenal grounds, on which is to be established the buildings for the new war college. PhotograpJitc pr hits. — In addition to the drawings and models, the exhibition contains about two hundred photographic reproductions arranged above the drawings in each division, intended to illustrate what has been done in various parts of Europe in a manner similar to the treatment suggested b}^ the park commission. The larger number of these views were taken when the park commission were in Europe stud^ang the various points of interest. These photographs are also intended to illustrate in a more graphic way the many beautiful and pleasing effects that ma}" and are expected to be attained by the smaller embellishments grouped in various parts of the Mall. To illustrate the efl'ect of the vista down the canal west of the Monument, we have, among others, Long water at Hampton Court; and the effect of the tapis vert between the Capitol and Monument are illustrated b}" views from Versailles, Fontainebleau, and Compeigne. Numerous photo graphs are shown, the most noted being from Versailles, to show a practical illustration of the fountains which may be expected in the various basins and squares of the new city. There are several photo- graphs of classical pavilions that would be in harmony with the other treatment of the parks, as well as squares and the grouping of buildings. Not the least interesting feature of this photographic exhibition is the collection of American elm trees, giving an idea of the tree as it appears from Washington Citj" to Boston. As the elm has been selected by the park commission as the principal natural object in the formal planting proposed on the Mall, the horizontal line of which will give a frame and scale to the Monument and the circular progression of which leads up to and enhances the beauty of the Capitol, it is well for them to show what Iteaut}" and perfection it has attained in this country and in the city of Washington by illustrations of the noble avenue on Lafaj^ette square and H street, the Sumner elm on the Capitol grounds and other groups around the Capitol. These photographs call the attention of many to this tree who have not heretofore realized its dignity. The park commission entered zealously upon their work as soon as they were appointed, and prosecuted the work with enthusiasm. The result is all that could have been expected, and our expectations were high. Mr. D. H. Burnham in a recent article called attention to the coni- mercial value of art — it is a view which few probably have taken and well worthy of consideration by legislators, financiers, and capitalists. He states that commercial supremacy is constantly changing and 286 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. evanescent while artistic supremacy" is lasting and commercially valuable. Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Itah' reap their principal income from their artistic productions, and the interest and income of Paris is largeh" based on the same foundation. Let the United States \a.j a foundation in Washington for a similar art center that will be more lasting and a more certain product than any branch of commerce or manufacture. Several bills have been introduced in Congress, and have been favor- abl}" reported from committees, for buildings to be located and designed in conformity with the report of the park commission. The War College, at the intersection of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, has been authorized. The new Union Station, on Massachu- setts avenue and Delaware avenue, has been agreed upon by the Pennsj'lvania Railroad Company, the District Commissioners, and the Senate conunittee, and will most probably pass at this session. The Congressional committee are favorable to the new Department of Justice and State to be built on the west of Lafayette square. The preliminar}' plans for the Department of Agriculture have been authorized, and there appears to be no doubt that this building will go on. There is also a bill before Congress for the memorial bridge across the Potomac located as suggested by the park commission. Washington is the capital city of the United States; the question of its improvement should not be a question of local pride and only arouse the enthusiasm of its residents. It should be the pride of the united country from end to end to make new Washington the principal artistic achievement of the centur3\ the pride of all Americans, and the pleasure and wonder of all foreigners. Glenn Bkown. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS NO. 17. 1. THE EMBELLISHMENT OF WASHINGTON 2. ART AND THE TOILERS. June 14, 1902. — Printed for the use of the committee. 1. THE KMBP^LT^ISIIMKNT OF WASHINGTON. Ky Clarknce E. Messek. [A paper read before the Literary Society of Washington, May 3, 1902.] In considering the art phases of this subject, I must necessarily encroach upon the provinces of the other participants in the discus- sion. The sculptor and painter are to be coworkers with the engineer, the architect and builder, and the landscape gardener, and art, used in a broad sense, must be an essential factor in everj^ effort made for the embellishment of the capital city. I can not separate the idea of beaut}^ from the idea of utility, they must go hand in hand and be interdependent alwaj^s. We are not to think of art as a sort of remote luminary casting a glamour over realities, but as a something that interfuses realities, being indeed inherent in them. We realize this more as time goes on, and the arts crafts attain to a dignity that has been denied them through a false sense of caste. In the construction of a judiciar}^ building, for instance, we shall find the artist and- arts-craftsman in constant demand. The entire judiciary department will have been subjected to their will; the very chair upon which the judge shall sit; the ceiling and walls of the chamber that are to echo the eloquence of the advocate; the floor upon which he is to stand will have been carved and decorated in accordance with aesthetic requirements. The bare white wall and ink-stained pine tables of the primitive courts are to be things of the past. In the new .appellate court in Madison Square, New York, we may observe how law and esthetics ma}' "dwell in communion sweet." Pride oozes from the ver}- pores of the custodians there, and, although I have not had the pleasure of seeing the judges on the very sesthetic bench, I am sure their dignit}" has somewhat of its asperity softened by the luxurious beauty of the environment. So we shall find, as 237 238 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. building after building rises on the prophetic ground plan of this memorable Park Commission, that use and beauty will be indivisible, that art will have a controlling influence in this evolution of the new Washington. This rests, it is true, on the assumption that the new Washington is to grow on the lines laid out now b}^ this Park Commission. I accept this assumption. 1 do not believe the impression made upon the American people by this bold, 1 might almost say authoritative, proposition will easily die out. The American is more disposed to economy in small things than in large. The very audacity of this proposition commends it to him. This is a big nation — he realizes that — and this conviction is so pro- foundly impressed upon him as to make this practical prophecy of the capital's future quite consistent with his faith in our ultimate general achievement. Of one thing we may be sure. There must be a gen- eral abandonment of present aims and purposes, with an enforced return to a Jeli'ersonian simplicity or a bold acceptance of the increas ing Bssthetic demands of civilization. On the lines upon which we now proceed, art waits expectant, insistent. In 1876 a great multitude of Americans wandering through the halls and avenues of the Philadelphia Centennial were taking in impressions, new and vivid and enduring, that have affected the national life and aims from that day to this. At Chicago, again, at the Columbian Exposition, these impressions were revivitied, strengthened, and expanded, and there is no turning back possible now that the American mind has perceived that something that had been missed in the busy and self-contained striving of the past. " Poor Richard " had preached the gospel of use, these great fairs revealed a gospel of the beautiful, and now use and beauty can not be divorced. We shall stumble, no doubt, in our efforts to give expression to these new needs. The new art will be bad art now and then, but it is not conceivable that from this time on we shall be inveigled into such breaches of good taste and artistic judgment as have made possible the many melancholy ail spectacles that embarrass us before the enlightened foreign visitor at the capital. It may be that my personal enthusiasm for this Park Commission scheme is in excess of the demands it makes upon my critical judg- ment. It appeals to me in its entirety; my imagination easily expands to its full dimensions. It seems reasonable, quite attainable, and even inevitable. I do not look to see it rise at a touch like the white city of Chicago, to pass as soon. But as time goes on one after another, as the need arises — and the needs are increasing with marv^elous rapidity — the public buildings will be placed in conformity, I shall trust, with the lines laid out in these Park Commission plans; with such modifications as mature consideration may demand here and PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 239 there, but with a general acquiescence in a plan that it? certainly one of great dignit}^ and simplicit}^ and, what will appeal to the "Poor Richard" sentiment, of distinct utilit}^ I may as well put m3'self on record right here, lest this last reference should prove misleading, as distincth'^ committed to the fundamental idea of utility in all projects of this character. I have already inti- mated my creed of the indivisibility of use and beaut}', but 1 shall insist that beautv shall not hamper use. Now, in architecture we must accept first of all the idea of use. Structural lines must conform to the character of uses, and art must not interfere in this. Art should advance on the lines laid out by utility, heightening their significance and adding charm. An}" ornamentation placed on a build- ing as being beautiful in itself without being related to the special significance of the architecture is an impertinence. A false window, for instance, made to occupy an unused space is an ofi'ense. A good architect should make the space seem reasonable in the scheme of the building. In city parks lying between busy sections of the city we shall find serpentine walks that make interesting lines on the landscape gardener's maps and that exasperate the citizen who is in a hurr^^ to get across. I do not think he should be put to the inconvenience of a long ramble when he desires and needs a direct path. But if the park is a place of recreation, having no essential relation to busy sti'eets, its paths may seek nothing and lead nowhere, may double on themselves, if you please, and arbitrarily waste time or use it rather for idle purposes. But however idh" and aimlessly they may wander, these paths must still be subject to law. If the path, pursuing its indifferent and aimless course, should sucldenh" turn at an acute angle and at an angle again the mind of the pedestrian would revolt at the abrupt and unanticipated change — there is a natural rythm of movement that in all arts we shall disregard at our peril. The stream flows in sinuous courses to the sea; the ray of light between earth and sun is a straight line. Stream and ray obey laws that the human mind nmst act in con- formitv' with. What 1 am seeking to get at is this: A singleness of impulse and its persistency in its own lines is a law of nature to which the mind must conform to be sane and effective. Now, we base our ideas of ei)ic dignity, I might say, on sun lines. Our lyric thoughts follow lines less direct, like stream lines. When we shall ride down the unswerving avenues of the Mall we shall feel that epic dignity in the very monotony of their unchanging progression. Once entered into the sinuous and idh^ wandering bridle paths we shall have adapted ourselves to a new rhythm and shall follow the will of the idle ways with a ly ic abandoment. In this great pleasure ground our moods shall be anticipated and humored. When one abandons the conservative and habitual illustra- 240 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. tion he must elaborately explain his thought or risk being misunder- stood. There is no time here for explanation, and 1 may seem to be fetching from far finespun fancies to sustain my contention that in the laws of the natural world we must find the warrant for sane mental endeavor. Just at this time in France, in Germany, and, in a less degree I am glad to say, in England and America, there is a dispo- sition not only to disregard conventions in art, but fundamental law as well. There is a literary anarchist and an art anarchist, as well as a political one, and they all tend toward chaos. One thing that especially appeals to me in these park plans is their sanity, their freedom from anarchical endeavors to be unlike all preceding things of their kind. We never lose in the recurrent spring a sense of the new creation. "The morn- ing stars sing together " still. It is not that the earth and the star? grow old, but that through our mental or physical debaucheries, our resist- ances to law, our divergences from nature's fixed lines, we become too weary, too enerv^ated, for the revival of sane and wholesome impulses. I welcomed, then, a scheme in which is laid out in sane and rea- sonable lines a course of artistic procedure that will tend to hedge the wayward and decadent impulses that may arise in the future as now. I do not think that the decadence of our day is a general decadence — it is individual; and by the laws of evolution the fittest will survive — the weak and despairing will go down in the march of events. This plan for the new Washington does not lose its sense of reality at the border line of our vision. We may anticipate the satisfaction of that citizen who shall see the end to which our imagination easily runs. As to the propriety of making the new Washington beautiful and imposing as the capital of a great nation, infinite in its aspirations, proud of its past achievements, and sure of its ultimate importance in the galaxy of nations, there would seem to be little need of argument now. The American people saw in the "White City" of the Chicago fair a marvelous dream materialized, if only in staff and white paint, and became conscious to a degree of the potentialities of the race, and the magnitude of this scheme for the beautifying of the capital city, as I believe I have already intimated, is much less liable now to shock the sense of economy of the average citizen. Making much of the importance of a singleness or consistency of impulse in the individual building, I can no less insist upon a like consistency and singleness of purpose in a great park scheme like this. I should be glad to see, to-daj", an impulse started in this direction so imperious, so convincing, as to be undiverted for years to come by temporary and erratic interferences. PARK SYSTf:M OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 241 I do not believe, as architects come forward to direct the construc- tion of the individual buildings that shall arise one after another to meet governmental or municipal needs, that a new architecture must be evolved, but rather a better architecture, finer in its har- monies of proportion, more subtle in its lines, more signiiicant in its ornamentation, and I conceive that instead of being hampered by the conditions we shall have imposed, the architect of the future will be aided by his sense of copartnership in a broadly and nobly con- ceived plan. Naturally, in a scheme for the embellishment of the capital city, the work of the sculptor and of the painter will be an important fac- tor. The interiors of the public buildings will give wide scope for the work of the mural painter, and in every department portraiture, plastic and graphic, will seek to perpetuate the characteristics of gov- ernmental officials. In the open parks sculpture will become an impor- tant part of the decorative scheme, commemorating not only the char- acter and achievements of our militarj^ heroes as in the past, but giv- ing as enduring records of notable achievements in the less spectacu- lar fields of science, literature, and art. As a part of a well-designed and harmonious plan of embellishment, erratic statuar}-^, as well as erratic architecture, would be so evidently out of place as to be less liable than now to receive official recognition. Then I conceive that the sculptor himself, whose work is to be judged not only by its intrinsic merits, but b}' its adaptability to a well-under- stood plan, by its rhythmic relations to massed or related architecture, will be forced to more strenuous effort than he would be if his statuary were to be an isolated and unrelated creation, subject to his personal inclinations alone. There is one feature of these plans to which I wish to call attention. It is not only necessary that the artificial embellishment of the parks, the buildings, the statuar}^ the fountains, the paved plaza should con- form to the demands of an harmonious and artistic scheme, but nature herself, brought into intimate contact with cit}" conditions, must be subject to particular requirements. Paris not onlj^ plants her trees in formal lines, but trims them into a formalit}'^ that is more sympathetic with the hard and fast lines of architecture than the unhampered forest tree would be. No one loves more than I the untrammeled forest tree — the beech, with the moss on its boll, its leaves twittering at its crest; the pine, with its somber and resonant boughs; and the oak, austere, inexorable, lifting its gnarled and strenuous arms above bowldered slopes. But on the city street they should take on city ways, submit to city con- ventions, and accept a certain degree of artificiality to better conform to their formal surroundings. p 1—03 16 242 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF* COLUMBIA. These plans are referred to as of "bewildering magnificence." I do not find them in any sense confusing. The lucid and expressive draw- ings of the Park Commission present the scheme to my imagination with a sense of reality that would hardly be greater if I could walk down the completed avenues of the new Washington. The white walls shimmer in the spring sunshine. Over the gleaming waterwaj^^s, beyond the fountains' uplifted mist, I still see the white shaft of the Washington Monument; bej^ond on the near shore of the Potomac the simple and dignified memorial of the martyred President, and then, in a receding perspective of arches, a great bridge stretching to the Virginia hills. How much of this took shape in the brain of that bafiled and disap- pointed engineer, L'Enfant? It seems that the general features of the plan are largely his, and it will be eminently fit that at some point of vantage in these noble grounds there should stand an enduring memorial to this man, to whose prophetic wisdom we owe so much. 2. ART AND THE TOURERS. By Rev. Frank Sewall. [A paper read before the convention of the American Social Science Association at Washington, April 25, 1902.] [Extract from the Boston Evening Transcript.] Rev. Frank Sewall, in his paper on "Art and the Toilers," in the educational session, made a plea for the return to the humblest labor- ing classes, in the form of parks, fountains, beautiful monuments, buildings, and music, of the debt which wealth and its art owe to them as the producers of the crude material for all living and for all social progress. The paper was in the form of a colloquy, and answers at length some of the objections on the score of paternalism, impracti- cabilit}^, etc., of the proposed modes of meeting the obligation of art to the toilers. The question, " Must not these provisions of the beau- tiful for the laboring classes be confined to the larger cities, where there is sufiicient wealth and an educated public?" was answered: "Not necessarily. The need seems more deplorable in our isolated mountain clearings and prairie farms, and among the mining and foundry towns, than in the cities where the dense crowd of humanity presents a constant change of life and color that in itself is picturesque. But in the solitude and monoton}^ of the isolated village, the cross- roads settlements, or the miner's camp, without beautiful objects to lift the mind in admiration, the soul is left to consume itself in morbid introspection and restless, indefinable longings. These people PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 243 and others even farther remote from cities should be reached l)}^ some method for feeding the hunger of their natures for the beautiful. I do not know of anything holier for the church to do than to infuse through art an element of beauty into the lives of these lonely com- munities which its religious mission compels it to seek out. Instead of leaving this element of beauty, in their chapels, their hymn singing, their houses and gardens and furniture, to grow on the crude and mean sustenance otfered by the uneducated masses misled, too often, by vulgar taste and the overbearing influence of some man or woman with money but without culture, why should not the church herself begin with lessons of beauty and make the ministry of art a part of her sacred mission ? "But many, you know, object to this paternalism of the higher classes, whether church or state, on the principle that it is better that people should develop these things by themselves, and so in freedom, although it takes longer. "Yes; I know, and I think I appreciate as fully as any the impor- tance of the principle of self -advancement; but I do not see that in realit}^ this lessens the obligations of art and wealth. It rather increases them. What I contend is not that the endeavor of the lower classes to rise is not a legitimate endeavor, or that this endeavor will ever cease, but that, nevertheless, there will always be a class lowest down in the ranks of toil who, because they are at the sources of all produc- tion and of all wealth, are entitled to the highest outcome of that wealth, and this, too, without waiting until they themselves are lifted into the ranks of the cultured ones. God gives the beaut}^ of the sun- set and the flowers to the humblest laborer without waiting- for him to reach the rank of beauty makers. "The question is, what, besides religion — the greatest human need — is the most genuine joy, above the plane of mere animal gratification, that we can impart to the toiling masses directly? I hold that this is the joy of the beautiful — the beautiful in form, sound, color, in char- acter. And I insist that the so-called privileged classes are not mak- ing an even balance of accounts with those lower down by putting them off with mere high wages and other provisions for ph3^sical com- fort, or even with the means of higher culture, such as libraries, read- ing rooms, lectures, and the like, which to many are only a kind of mild medicine at the best, so long as that rarest quintessence of human luxury, the enjoyment of the beautiful in art, is not showered lavishly upon the great masses of the toilers; so that, not merely at some future day when toil shall cease, but now, through the ver}^ sweat of their brows, their eyes shall look out with a smile and not a frown upon the world. It is well enough to talk of the paternalism that hinders self-advancement: but after all, what is a higher type of true advancement than a desire to minister to those lower down ? and 244 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. if this is hindered by some spurious conception of democracy, then all true advancement of the race is hindered. The well to do, who are feasting up there on the rich viands to which they have climbed through years of competitive struggle, may think they are doing very liberally to cry to those far down on the plains, 'Come up and help yourselves! ' But there are many who can not come up; who are down there and must forever remain down there, stead3dng the ladder for others to climb by; and shall no morsel be thrown to them? ""But is not a certain degree of culture necessar}^ even for the enjojmient of beauty when this is set before one, and must not, there- fore, the school, the church, the library, and the museum take prece- dence of all other means of affording to the masses the enjo3'ment of art? "This would be true if our object were to educate a world where all are to be artists and where there are to be no toilers. But beauty is a thing that grows b}^ gazing on it. There are countries on the continent of Europe where the Government fosters art, both in archi- tecture, in public monuments, in parks and gardens, in brilliant but tasteful outdoor decorations on public holidays, in free concerts and museums, and a subsidized drama; the laboring classes in these countries are not distinguished above others by their literar}' attain- ments or by their faniiliarit}^ with the technicalities of art, although unquestionably they have a finer sense of the beautiful. Their path to the appreciation of beaut}" has not been through libraries and art schools, but b}" gazing ever}' day upon beautiful things. These are the people, as a rule, who love their country and are not lacking in loyalty to the crown and its weal, however great the sacrifice this mav require of them. "Yes; 1 suppose that love of country is at bottom the love of what the country gives, and there must be deg'rees in the quality of patriot- ism as in other things. The interest one feels in a country as a place to make money in must always be inferior to that which is inspired by the feeling that one's country has ministered to the highest human realization of life. Neither does intellectual culture always betoken a nation of good fighters. It has quite as often in the past been a sign of a weakened virility and devotion on the part of the people. "And this is the final and crowning obligation of art to the masses. It alone, if we except religion, enables the people to feel in their devotion to their native land and government something akin to their devotion to Deity. The sordid principle of service for service is lost when the soul is touched with the feeling of a bounty which gives without stint for the pleasure of giving and for the delights its gifts create. This, I take it, is where art partakes of the Infinite; in its purely unselfish ministry of the beautiful it is as universal and impartial as the sunlight itself. It bears its own message to the soul PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 245 of the poor and distressed, whether by beauty of form in sculpture and architecture, or in beauty of sound in music, or of sentiment and action in the drama. It is therefore by this gift of beaut}^ to the life of the toiling masses that governments may fulfill their high function of standing in the place of God, and it is by this tribute of wealth and culture, through the divine mj^steries of art, to the happiness of' the masses who toil that the balance of human good is kept even when measured by the happiness experienced both by the giver and those benefited by the gift." SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS, SECOND SERIES, NO. 1. THE UTILIZATION OF PUBLIC RESERVATIONS. 'J Address of President Eliot, cf Harvard University, before the American Park and Out- \ door Art Association, at Boston, Mass. , August 5, 1902. August 23, 1902. — Printed for the use of the committee. During the last ten yefirs great additions have been made to the number of parks, open squares, and public gardens in the Northern and Western cities of the United States, and many millions of dollars have been spent in procuring these public reservations. It is notice- able, however, that in most American communities the public mani- fests only a moderate capacity to enjoy these beautiful provisions. The parks and squares are breathing places; they protect water sup- plies; they enhance the value of the adjacent private properties; and some of them are useful pla3^grounds; but they are not lived in and delighted in by any large proportion of the population. For example, within ten years more than 9,000 acres of public reservations, in addi- tion to the Boston and Cambridge parks, commons, and squares, have been acquired for the community which occupies the semicircle within 11 miles of Boston statehouse. Yet the enjoyment of these reser- vations, with the exception of the public sea beaches, is surprisingly limited; and even to these beautiful beaches the people resort in great numbers during only three months of the year. On Sunday afternoons and holida3"s there is a good deal of driving through the Boston and metropolitan parks and parkways; but it is noticeable that most of these pleasure seekers seldom get out of their vehicles. Now it is impossible to enjoy thoroughly a garden, a beach, or a wood from the seats of a vehicle, or the .saddle of a bicycle. Walking, lingering, rambling, and standing or sitting still are indis- pensable to full enjoyment. From December to April the metropoli- tan forest reservations are practically abandoned by the public to the rabbits, squirrels, foxes, and winter birds, although they offer to 247 248 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. informed eyes innumerable scenes of exquisite beauty. In the popu- lation of Boston the German and French elements are not numerous, so that the good example of these fresh air loving people has been lacking, while the climate and certain Puritan inheritances have been somewhat adverse to open-air joys. EUROPEAN OUTDOOR LIFE. Those of us who have visited the cities and large towns of Europe, or who have in any way become familiar with the outdoor habits of European populations, recognize the fact that in comparison with the people of Europe the native people of the United States have little capacity to enjoy out-of-door beauty, little taste for the freedom and quiet of the countr}^ and no disposition to live in the streets of the cities. In the southern parts of Europe and the northern parts of Africa the common people in the large towns and cities pass their lives out of doors to an extent very surprising to an American. I once spent a winter in the town of Pau, in the southern part of France. The mornings and evenings were often cold, but the middle of the day was much like the fine New England weather in October and November. The moment the sun shone all the active women and children took to the streets; and even the invalids and the decrepit old men and women sat on the sunn}' side of the streets with their backs against the warmed walls of the houses. Even in winter the people found the sunny streets more agreeable than the interiors of their houses. In Cairo and the Egyptian villages many native people slept out of doors in January and February, and the portion of the day which any family of parents and children, rich or poor, spent within walls was small. In the Egj^ptian villages up the Nile the rude bedsteads come out of the hovels by the middle of Februar}-, and the entire population sleeps in the open air three-fourths of the year. Of course, it never rains. In most Spanish towns, whether in Europe or in the former colonies of Spain, a broad walk, shaded with trees and bordered by strips of watered grass, shrubs, and flowers, and rows of benches or chairs, is a common municipal provision. These alamedas are familiar meeting places for a large proportion of the population on certain days or evenings of the week, and especially on Sundaj^s and festivals. No sport or game is carried on there, but the people walk slowly to and fro, or sit on the seats and talk to each other. The alameda is a com- mon open-air parlor for all the people who have leisure enough to use it. In some cities a smooth, watered driveway makes part of this alameda, and at certain hours this driveway is thronged with open car- riages moving slowl}^ on parallel lines in opposite directions. This concourse is a sort of dress parade for men and women and for horses and carriages. PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 249 The public provision made for babies and little children in the Paris public squares affords the very pleasantest sight to be seen in that gay capital. For Americans one of the most curious sights of Paris is the broad sidewalks of the boulevards half covered in front of the cafes with small tables, at which hundreds of men sit in the open air to eat, drink, smoke, and read the newspapers. It takes persistent rain or unusually cold weather to clear the boulevard sidewalks of this furniture, even in the raw Paris winter. In Germany, during the milder half of the j^ear, the people insist on eating and drinking out of doors to an extent which is nowhere equaled in this country, except in the German quarters of some of our Western cities. No restaurant can succeed in Hungary, or south Germany, or Austria unless it has a place to seat its patrons out of doors. A garden adjoins the restaurant; or an interior court without a roof — the Span- ish patio — is filled with small tables; or, if nothing else can be had, a portion of the sidewalk is inclosed with vines grown in pots and sup- ported on trellises. A beer garden all over Europe is literally a gar- den with trees, shrubs, and flowers. GOOD SIGNS IN AMERICA. The out-of-door habit of the population enables the omnibus and tramway companies in the European cities to carry thousands of per- sons all winter on the tops of omnibuses or cars at the usual lower fare. The winter is there less severe than that of most northern cities on this continent; but it is primarily the out-of-door habit which makes this economical method possible and even enjoyable. Among our people the most encouraging sign of increased hardiness in this respect is the larger and longer use made of open cars on the electric roads. From thi.s point of view it is interesting to see 35,000 men and women sitting on open benches of a raw afternoon in late November watching a game of football for two hours or more. Another good sign is the family driving in open vehicles on Sunday afternoons. One does not often see a more hopeful and wholesome sight than the shifting-top carr^^all, with one horse, carrving father and mother and four or five children through the metropolitan parks of Boston of a Sunday afternoon. REQUISITES OF PARK LIFE. The problem I now ask 3"ou to consider is how to secure a better popular utilization of public squares, gardens, parkways, and parks in the United States. 1 invite 3"ou to consider how the wholesome, jo}^- ous use of public reservations can be promoted. One indispensable condition for the adequate use of public reserva- tions is security against violence and fear of violence, and even against 250 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. annoyances, or the sight of rude and disorderlj'^ conduct. All public reservations, whether large or small, need to be well policed, so that women and children can feel perfectly safe in them. This is, of course, an expensive matter; but neither city playgrounds nor country parks will be adequately used by the persons who need them unless they are intelligently and adequately policed. A public beach, grove, or forest will soon get a bad reputation if it is not vigilantly watched. Every city square or garden should be brightly lighted — first, because light is the best policeman (as Emerson said), just as publicity is the best safeguard against financial and industrial wrongs; and, secondly, because every such open space should be treated as a public parlor or popular reception room. Again, it is useless to provide a public forest or a large country park 5 or 10 miles from the center of the city, unless this distance can be traversed in an agreeable manner at a low fare. Hence the value of parkways, which are merely well-built, decorated highways, reserved for pleasure travel. In all such parkways through which large reservations are approached there should invariably be a sepa- rate space for electric cars, and this space should be neither paved nor asphalted, but turfed, as a protection against dust and reverberated noise, and as a means of health for the adjacent rows of trees and shrubs. This practice has been already partially adojjted, but should become universal. The problem of comfortable transportation for a great multitude to and from favorite parks or beaches within the few hours most agreeable for resort to such places is still to be solved. If men, women, and children are to resort by the thousand to such reservations, they must be able to count on getting away comfortably^, as well as on going comfortably to the park or beach. The coming away from such a resort is generall}^ more simultaneous than the going to it. An5^one who has seen the rush for cars at Revere Beach or City Point when the homeward movement begins — to take illus- trations from this vicinit}^ — knows that our transportation companies have much to learn concerning the means of moving from forty to seventy thousand people who all wish to go in one direction within four or five hours and then in the opposite direction within a shorter period. It seems to me that a promising experiment would be cars without seats, strong enough to carr}" as many people as can stand on the car floor, a lower fare being charged and a supplement paid for a seat when it is possible to obtain transfer to a car with seats. For example, in this manner the crowds from such an isolated reservation as Revere Beach could be brought rapid Ij^ to points not far removed, where* transfers could be efl'ected to many diverging lines. It is worth con- sidering, too, whether the foreign system of waiting rooms with seats for waiting passengers might not be introduced, the passengers to PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 251 receive numbers on entrance and to be called to the cars by their assigned numbers in their turn. Many women and children would be willing- to wait for assured seats rather than encounter the risks of the rush for seats, in which the strongest and most alert have every advantage. VALUE OF EESTAUEANTS. One of the great privileges in European public gardens, or other reservations, is broad, open spaces in which — under suitable shelter — to eat and drink in the open air. Outside of Prague, for example, but within eas}^ reach of the city, are some beautiful meadows, the edges of which are adorned with fine woods. Thousands of persons resort to these meadows every fine Sunday to eat and drink in the open air. A whole familj^ will go together — father, mother, and children, with family friends; they get a table near one of the restaurants, and spend five or six hours in this beautiful spot, enjoying the open air, the sight of the meadows and the sk}", and light music from a good band. The whole process is democratic and simple — never rowd}^ ; but people who know each other can meet there in a pleasant way, and agreeable hospitalities can be exchanged. Beer drinking and smoking undoubt- edly promote the open-air habit, as on the Prague meadows, but are by no means essential to it. The tea house which is getting domesti- cated with us answers the same good purpose. Prices should be low in reservation restaurants — like those of Randall Hall at Harvard University, for example, where one can get a substantial breakfast or luncheon for 14 cents. In ever}^ large public park ample provision should be made for this eating and drinking in the open air— from baskets, if there be no restaurants in the place. Steady efforts should be made to develop this habit among us Americans. It is by no means necessar}^ that the refreshments should be elaborate or alcoholic; indeed, it is much better that they should not be. Tea, coffee, cocoa, or milk, with rolls or toast, and jam, cheese, or herring will go a long way toward making people feel comfortable and pleased. But it is impracticable for a family to spend many hours on a playground, or a beach, or in a for- est, unless provision is made for eating and drinking. There should be an ample and convenient supply of water; there should be shelters from sun or sudden rain; and there should be everj^where a perfect tidiness. Regulations against scattering paper and leaving behind remnants of food, or boxes, or bottles should be rigidly enforced; but the habit of eating in the open air in families or companies of friends should be vigorously encouraged and promoted in all public reserva- tions. Thus it is legitimate and desirable to provide rustic tables and benches in places suitable for lunch or supper parties; for some men and women object to sitting on the ground even when it is dry. 252 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE PARKS IN WINTER. One would suppose, from the deserted aspect of the Boston metro- politan parks in winter, that our New England people had never observed that winter is nearly as interesting a season in the open air as summer, the beauty of ice and snow replacing the beauty of foliage. The en]03mient of winter, however, requires more forethought, more attention to clothing, and more care to avoid wind and storm. On the whole, winter is a far l^etter season for walking in public parks and forests than summer is. One sees much more of the broad scen- ery when the leaves have fallen. Moreover, it is a mistake to put away one's bicycle in winter. Wherever there are well-macadamized roads it is possible to ride a bicycle very comfortably on many winter days, particularly in the early morning, before the wind has risen or the sun has softened the surface of the roads. I need not say that the winter aspect of a forest, after a fresh fall of snow, or after cold ram has frozen upon every twig and lingering leaf, is one of extraor- dinary beauty. Less understood is the beauty of bare trees, of the half-frozen brook, and of the blue shadows on the fields of snow. The only thing a healthy person need ask in winter in order to get great enjoj^ment out of doors in the country is absence of wind. In our New England climate there are as many still days in winter as there are in summer; or perhaps one could better say that there are as many parts of da3^s that are still in winter as in summer. In all parts of the 3^ear the morning and the evening are more likely to be calm than the middle of the day. The winter winds can not be faced with pleasure; but the calm days of winter are delightful in the open air if one is properly clothed and is taking exercise. For children and j^oung people the enjoj^ment of open-air scenery is greatly increased by the habit of sketching with the pencil or of taking notes of scenery with the camera. In these days it is immeasur- ably better to go hunting for birds and other wild creatures with the camera than with the gun. There is much more skill in the use of a camera, and much more satisfaction in the results. BERRY AND FLOWER PICKING. The enjoyment of the populace in large country parks and forests can be greatly promoted by allowing the picking of flowers and ber- ries; and this permission may be safely given, provided plants are not dug up by the roots, either by design or through carelessness. So valuable is this privilege that it is better to run some risk of the extermination of desirable growths than to prohibit picking. It is, of course, possible to keep sowing the plants which are most apt to be picked, like the columbine, the wild geranium, the anemone, the violet, and the strawberry blossom. Some fragrant things ought to PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 253 be carefully raised in the parks expressly for the enjojmient they give to the people who discover them appearing- in their season. Such are the mayflower, the linn^a, and the laurel. PROVIDE FOR THE HORSES. A seaside city like Boston is able to offer to its population a great variet}" of reservations, the different sorts being attractive to various kinds of people or at different seasons of the year. Thus the beaches are open to observation, and are fitted for the enjoyment of the gre- garious people who like a great crowd and enjoy things in common with a multitude. The woods, on the other hand, are well fitted for the individual who loves solitude, or for the familj^ which prefers a private, quiet, withdrawn place for their little fete on a child's birth- da}' or the wedding anniversary. The metropolitan forest reservations around Boston are already used in this way. One who often goes through them comes upon the solitar}' pedestrian or bicyclist, who has brought his luncheon with him and is eating it quite alone in some natural shelter, whence he can see no human being or human habita- tion. One comes also upon the family group which has gone down a side path and estal>lished itself under some familiar tree that has sheltered them at former visits. Evidently individuals and families are learning to resort in the forest reservations to particular spots, which have in these few years alread}^ become dear to them. Thou- sands of persons resort to the large parks in vehicles drawn b}^ horses. At present this is the chief method of enjoying the Middlesex Fells, the Ston}' Brook Reservation, and the Blue Hills Reservation; but the people who are thus brought to the reservations need to wander about them on foot, and there should therefore be provided in such reserva- tions places to hitch horses under supervision. It is doubtless wise to prohibit the hitching of horses to trees, because trees so used are apt to be injured; but where this regulation exists and no hitching places are expressly provided the driving visitors to the park are almost compelled to remain in their wagons. This is a serious impediment to the real enjoyment of forests or country parks. MANY SEATS DESIRABLE. In scenery parks the enjoyment of the people can be greatly pro- moted by providing numerous footpaths leading to the best points of view and to seats there provided. These paths should of course be nothing more than trails, from which the underbrush and other obstacles to passage have been removed. Seats at good points of view are very important parts of this provision. The people need to be tempted to linger in the parks for hours, and to do this without cov- ering great distances or enduring anything which can properly be 254 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. called fatigue. It is the open air and the quiet aspect of nature which are wholesome and refreshing; and to get the benefit of these influ- ences takes time and a sense of leisure and restfulness. In like man- ner, in small city squares the provision of seats is indispensable to popular enjoyment of these open spaces. Small squares in the midst of dense population should be open-air parlors — resorts for the feeble and infirm rather than for the strong and tireless. In all tree-planted avenues or boulevards chairs should be provided either by the munic- ipality or by persons who have paid the municipality for the privilege of letting chairs. Such alleys of trees as those of Commonwealth avenue, in Boston, ought to be lined with chairs. LARGE PRIVATE ESTATES LACKING. When once convenient access by electric cars to a reservation, or to many reservations, has been provided, it becomes the interest of the transportation company or companies to announce good skating on the pond, or fine surf on the beaches, or a light snow in the woods, or the blooming of the spring flowers, or the ripening of the berries. Through all possible agencies, public-spirited or self-interested, the open-air habit should be cultivated among us Aniericans. Unless public reservations are to be enjoyed bj^the people generation after generation, it is hard to imagine where Americans are to get the opportunity of enjoying country scenery at all; for it seems to he, almost impossible in our country to create a beautiful family estate and transmit it unim- paired from generation to generation. The creator of such an estate does not leave to any one of his children money enough to maintain the estate he himself created; or he has no children, or no child who inherits his taste for country life; or the value of the surrounding land rises greatly, so that the original owner or his heirs can no longer afford to hold a large area subject to taxation at its value as house lots, though yielding no income whatever; or the neighborhood of the estate degenerates or becomes too populous. American laws and American customs alike tend to prevent the transmission of large country estates from father to son; and the maintenance of such an estate through two generations is therefore very rare. The vicinity of Boston within a dozen miles of the state- house contains, I believe, the best housed and most comfortable population on the face of the earth; yet to the best of my knowledge and belief there is onl}" one fine countr}^ place within that area which has been transmitted unimpaired from the merchant who created it to his son and his grandson, and now bids fair to descend to the fourth generation. It is the same with old houses. In Europe they are assiduousl}" preserved; in America they are pulled down or given over to trade, and new ones are built. In the inmost heart of every American, whether rich or poor, the very first desire on any increase PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 255 of fortune is to build a new and larger house. If a young Maine fisherman has a good season, and his share of the summer's profit on the mackerel or the lobsters amounts to five or six hundred dollars, he is quite certain, if he is a frugal and far-seeing person, to build a hoUn* with it. The manager of a great steel trust, or the prospei'ous banker or broker does precisely the same thing, on his scale. Neither will buy an old house, appropriate or handsome though it be. It is, then, only the public estates which are likely to be permanent, and to be enjoyed by many successive generations. PARKS AND SCHOOL CHILDREN. A very important use of parks and public gardens should be the use by school children under the direction of their teachers. The trans- fer of the great majority of the population in many of our States from the country to the city has imposed a new duty on city schools. Children ))rought up in the countr}^ get a deal of invaluable training from their rural surroundings, and from the farm work in which they can take a share. They drive the cows to pasture and bring them home; they roam through the woods and fields, and know the ponds and water courses, and the creatures that live in them; they notice the weather and the state of the sky and the round of the seasons and the habits of domestic animals; the}^ can ride and drive the horses, and milk the cows, and help the mother in the dairy and the father in the barn; they learn the use of many tools, and, in general, can do some- thing with their hands. They get training in observation, attention, and quick decision, and in the judgment which prevents waste of strength, and distinguishes between the essential and immediately neces- sary in productive labor and the unessential and postponable. To the city child the lack of this natural training in country life is an almost irreparable loss. Of late years city schools have been trying to make up to the child for this loss by giving instruction in such kinds of manual work as can be adapted to the urban conditions. Carpentr}^, forging, filing, and turning for boys, and cooking and sewing for girls have been put into school programmes, and manual-training schools have been established, in which a considerable proportion of the school time is devoted to manual labor. These devices are good, but they need to be supplemented by what is called nature study. But nature study is difiicult in cities, for the stud}'^ of specimens indoors is but a very imperfect substitute for the out-of-door study of living things under natural conditions. Now parks, public gardens, and the decorative borders of parkways afi'ord an opportunity to teach children much about trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants; and these public provisions should be diligentlv utilized for this purpose. In many German schools it is a part 256 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. of the work expected of the teachers to take the pupils on walks and * short excursions, and to show them on the way about the visible flora and fauna, and the working of the climatic and geologic forces which have molded the surface of the earth. The short excursions which take place during the school year are, moreover, supplemented by voluntary excursions of pupils and teachers together during vaca- tions. Public reservations can be put to no better use than this; for it is the children who are most capable of acquiring a love of natural beauty and a knowledge of the elements of that beauty. It is they who can quickest learn to understand the working of the forces which have made the hill and the valley, the pond and the brook, the bushy pasture, and the arable field. It is they who can best learn to recognize the constituents of the commonest ground-covers in a given locality, and to appreciate the changes which civilized man makes in scener3' or landscape. It is the children, trained in this way, who will grow up with a love of the parks and a keen desire to spend time in them; it is they who can best acquire the out-of-door habit, and the love of walking, botanizing, collecting specimens of rocks, minerals, insects, birds, shells, or eggs, and observing temperatures, winds, clouds, rainfall, and the changing aspects of the heavens at night. To see these things it is necessary to get into the open; the narrow city street, paved and bounded by high walls, gives the children no chance for observation of nature. Even this sort of nature study has a serious defect, in that it can hardl}^ be associated — like farm life — with productive labor; but, in spite of this defect, it is the best available means of giving city children some conception of the natural world and some permanent resources for life-long, innocent, and healthful enjoyment. Even a city square, in which a large portion of the area is necessarily gravel, may be made to illustrate for the children of the neighboring schools some of the most charming of natural phenomena, such as the series of blooms and of twig and foliage colors which adorn the successive months of spring, summer, and autumn. I have in mind not only the brilliant cultivated flowers, native or exotic, which may be made to illuminate a public square with a series of striking forms and colors, but also the quieter series of blooms which the New England wood- lands, pastures, and brooksides may show, from the anemone, violet, iris, and flowering dogwood, by the shad bush and magnolia, through clethra and golden-rod, to asters and the fringed gentian. It is one of the great advantages of the scientific Arboretum, such as that at Jamaica Plain (Boston), that it provides a marvelous series of beauti- ful phenomena in flowers, foliage, and fruit, from early March to late November. This contribution to public enjoj^ment even a small city square can supply in some measure. What has been provided for the delight of older persons can also be used for the profit and PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 257 pleasure of the children. I am aware that this out-of-door teaching- would be a new function for most American teachers, and that very few of those now in the public school service are competent for such work. This fact, however, should only stimulate the community to set about training in large numbers the new kind of teacher that is so urgently needed. MORAL BENEFITS TO BE GAINED. I have spoken of the utilization of public reservations as if they were to be expected to yield only health and enjoyment and improved powers of perception; but I should deal with the subject ver}^ imper- fectl}^ if I did not point out, that the right utilization of public reser- vations is a strong agency for promoting public morality and a high standard of family life. It is a safeguard for society to provide means of pleasure for men, women, and children together. The pleasures men share with their wives and children are apt to be safer pleasures than those they take b}^ themselves. In pleasures thus shared there is much less likelihood of coarseness, or excess, or careless selfishness. They cultivate considerateness, gentleness, and tenderness toward the 3^oung or the feeble. The appropriate pleasures of forest reservations or country parks are all cheering, refining, and cleansing; they are soothing and uplifting; they separate city men and women from the squalor, tumult, and transitoriness of the human anthill, and bring them face to face with things calm, lovely, grand, and enduring. At the park and the beach men and women can lift up their eyes to the hills and the sky, or look off to the infinite verge of ocean, or come face to face with some of the endless varieties of beauty in color, form, and texture with which the surface of the earth is decked. It is, then, for the elevation of human nature on its every side that the better utilization of public reservations is to be urged. It has been the lot of the present generation to select for the urban populations of the present and the future many of these great treasures. It will be for future generations to maintain, enlarge, and adorn them, and to develop among the people a greater power of enjoying them. p 1—03 17 SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS— SECOND SERIES, NO. II. NOTES ON THE ANTWERP QUAY AND ON THE EXHIBITION OF ANIMALS IN ZOOLOGICAL PARKS. By Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. Septemtjer 18, 1902 — Printed for the use of the Committee. Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted, jr., while traveling in Europe during the summer of 1902 made the following notes on subjects treated in the report on the park system of the District of Columbia (Senate Report No. 166, Fifty-seventh Congress, first session). Mr. Olmsted's notes were sent in the form of letters to Mr. Charles Moore, clerk of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia; and the sketches were subsequently redrawn in Mr. Olmsted's office at Brookline, Mass. Antwerp, July 31^ 190'2. At Antwerp I was interested and amused to find that they had anti- cipated the Park Commission scheme for the Potomac Quay, after a fashion, by some thirty years or more (how much more depends on Congress). The cross section is about like the accompanying cut. (See fig. 1.) In the 21-foot space outside of the Promenade is a railroad track run- ning under a series of movable cranes on a wider track. These are hydraulic and make connections in a continuous covered pipe trench just outside the rails. There are numerous hydraulic capstans outside for hauling cars, etc. The (short) cars are pushed over to parallel tracks on platforms running on crosswise tracks as in a car barn of a street railway. The sheds are side by side, but not completel}^ con- tinuous along the Promenade. The latter is supported on iron col- umns like an elevated railway. It is approached at one end by a curving stone ramp of massive and rather elaborate architecture — perhaps a little too much so for the design of the steel structure which it serves. The other end is terminated b}" a little cafe and is connected with the street by a wide elevated footbridge with steps down to the sidewalk. This is only one section, about 1,000 feet long. There is a second of perhaps the same length, separated from the first by a sort 259 260 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. of plaza on the qua}^ level from which the stone ramp rises. This plaza is near the center of the town and is not used for commercial purposes (except for ferryboats, etc.). The northern section of raised promenade has its own ramp on the opposite side of the plaza, designed in connection with the old "Steen," remains of the Castle of Antwerp, rising through arches, etc., which have been skill- fully designed to harmonize with the old structure. The Promenade faces across the Scheldt to the west, like the proposed Potomac Quay, but the view over the flat plains of Belgium, which lie beyond the cluster of boat and bath houses and cheap restaurants on the other shore, is not to be compared for a moment with the view up the Potomac. I The Promenade appears to be very popular, •3 to judge from the numbers I saw using it on d. the two days I was there. A Japanese man- I of -war had hauled in against the qua}" and was < obviously something of a " special attraction," I but a goodly number were elsewhere on the J Promenade getting the breeze and watching ^ the shipping. The district along the street t back of the quay is decent to look upon, like I all of Antwerp, and can not, therefore, be £ compared exactly with the Georgetown Har- ^ bor district; but it is distinctly commercial I and in itself relatively unattractive for Ant- werp, small cheap restaurants for sailors and longshoremen and offices of ship chandlers, etc., occupjang much of the frontage; yet people do not hesitate to come down through or past this district for the sake of the promenade. Antwerp as a whole is immensel}" instruct- ive to a landscape architect concerned with municipal developments, as it contains in the newer quarter many streets and boulevards and places of varying types, generally very well laid out under French influence about 1865 and later. The scale of the town is rather small, which makes it not only more comprehensible than Paris, but in some wsljs more perfect and more interesting, and distincth^ more applicable as to its suggestions for most American cities. There is a park of about 50 (?) acres, laid out in 1866-1869 by M. Keilig, on the site of an old lunette and moat, PAKE SYSTEM OF THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 261 kVk\\^\v.v<:vT.v 262 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. .r'%" J- -y- ■' i R&served ii. ace for trees (Hone ifiestnuti) Pig. 3. — Sketch plan of pachyderm house, Hamburg- Zoological Garden. which struck me as one of the best designed small city parks I have ever seen. The Zoological Garden 1 am told is about the best in Europe; but 1 was rather disappointed with it. It has numerous buildings, many of which are expensive, some of which are notably well ar- ranged, and a few of which are appropriate and well de- signed architecturally. The collection is quite extensive, but the larger animals have not nearly enough room, and many of the buildings give the impression of hav- ing been designed by archi- tects who did not patiently consider the health and con- venience of the animals as much as they did architec- tural displa3^ 1 think not a little money has been wasted in this way — a danger that must be carefullj^ guarded against at Washington. It is so much easier when the ball gets to rolling to procure money for some one particular building and expend it upon big vestibules and mosaic pavements and heav}^ piers — on the picture frame as it were — than it is to get money for consistentl}^ good cages and little houses and all . the hundred minor fea- tures of which a zoo stands in need. I ought to say, how- ever, that the maintain- ance of the grounds at Antwerp is ver}- thor- oughly done; the paths all well kept, the grass in perfect condition, the (too numerous) expen- sive beds of gay flowers in the pink of condi- tion — or rather the scar- let and blue and yellow. I have a map — only fairly accurate — on which I have noted the distribution of the spaces devoted to lawn and shrub- bery, to the public travel, and to the animals themselves. Of course on the perfectly flat ground of Antwerp the two latter are much larger Nttting Note Frames of cages ore covered with if/ire netting . Houses ore cf stone, stuccoed and are ivhiteivashed on the inside . The front n entirely open Cages ore 6'^ide ondore built m o long row Fig. 4.— Cross section of cages for large birds, Zoological Park, Antwerp, Belgium. PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Zbd in proportion than will ever be possible at Washington, because of the great extent of unavailable land; but nevertheless there is a very considerable amount of the "buffer territory" " deliberately set apart for landscape effect. On the whole, barring* the injudicious use of bedding- plants in places, it is very well utilized, and the systematic use of shrubbery partitions, as it were, corresponds very well in prin- ciple with what I have had in mind for Washington. Note. Cages ore about lo wide and gre built in a rov . Fig. 5.— Cross section of kangaroo cages. EXHIBITION BUILDINGS FOR ANIMALS. 1 have been struck again and again with the waste of money in these European zoological gardens upon rather pretentious buildings which fail to present the animals in a really effective manner. Perhaps with the motive of emphasizing the excellence of the picture the frame has been so elaborated and magnified as to make the picture seem a mere incident. This is only in the worst cases, but it is measurably true in almost every case where the house is anything more than a cheap and rather shabby shed-like affair. The most suggestive buildings 1 have seen, though not in themselves the best, are the bird house and the pachj'derm house at Hamburg. But perhaps 1 ought to say that reallj^ the most suggestive buildings are the aquaria. I think that without question the most thoroughly satisfactory method of exhibiting any kind of animal (regardless of the interest which the various animals may have in themselves) is that of a good aquarium, where the light of the public space enters through the tanks onl3^ The chief reason for this is the manner of illumination, which calls attention to the fish, renders them relatively brilliant, and leaves the spectators inconspicuous both to each other and to the fish. It makes it seem as though the fish were living their own lives almost undis- turbed by the people who are peering upon them out of the obscurit}^ of their covert. It is like watching animals from a "blind" in the wild country. But a great deal is due to the striking and somewhat spectacular illumination. It is like a well lighted stage seen from a dark house, whereas an aquarium lighted through the space in which 264 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. the people stand is like a theater illuminated only by the chandelier over the pit and without any footlights. Now, while the aquarium method is not completely applicable to all the other animals I think a srood deal misrht be done in that direction. Outside Pens Animals v/ww//////////////, I 'A".\WINZ Space for pipe i Public Passage ;^/^^^^^^^/^^^/^/^/^///^^^///^//j^^^/. Animals '(Aiij/)/!>/iiiiiiiirrrrr Outside Pfns Fig. 6. — Suggestion for lighting animal houses. The normal animal house would be something like the section shown in Fig. 6, varying in dimensions and plan to suit the ^'arious special cases. In many cases the partition between the people and the animals can be of plate glass instead of bars. It is much pleasanter to see through, /^/orr/-J oho ye a^er7 df- Ay ty/A-e of Jxtaj ^ -y J€f-y/ce "^ Oufs/de Pens /AV/A'^^A>y^VA ^ >//////z»///////yyy/7z^y Space /or- /0//oe S, yenfi/erfors e/c. A^y/yy^yy'yy^^y^y.'y'y'^yy^y Fig. 7. — Suggestion for cages. and would avoid the otherwise unavoidable stench from such animals as foxes and the like. It is often used for snakes, and I have seen it used for monkej's and as a wind-break on outside cages. Even there it made a pleasant space in the irritating bars. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 265 The construction of such houses can be of the lightest steel skele- ton work, with outside walls of what you like — concrete, 8-inch brick, stone. The architectural problem of the roofs is a serious one, but can be satisfactorily dealt with, 1 am sure. The simplest wa}" is to use a parapet and conceal the (flattish) roof, relieving- the effect b}^ pavilions of solid roof in connection with vestibules, feed rooms, etc. It is probable that with cages so well illuminated the animals must have retiring places at the back— dens for sleep and rest. It is not desirable in anj^ case that animals be always on view to the public, and the ideal arrangement is one with small dens opening for pleasant weather upon an outside cage and in bad weather upon an inside cage, the meaning of good or bad weather varying greatly with the different animals. The greater amount of light in the inner cages, approxi- mating more closel}' to out of doors, would permit the growing of plants at the back of the cages in man}^ cases. The double house — that is, with a central aisle and two ranges of animals — is dictated by economy and convenience. I have seen only one ver}^ good house with a single row of cages. That was the car- nivora house at Amsterdam, thus: A- Thi^ sidef facing south) i5 a/mo-iit all qla^s and /J larqely opened up in goad wecff^er Fig. 8.— Camivora house, Amsterdam. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUJMBIA. PARK IMPROVEMENT PAPERS— SECOND SERIES, NO. III. THE EMBELLISHMENT OF WASHINGTON. By Hon. Carroll D. Wright, United States Commissioner of Labor. [Reprinted from the New York Independent.] March 4, 1903. — Printed for the use of the committee. The magnificent plans for the embellishment of the city of Washing- ton put older Washingtonians and those who have known Washington for a generation or more in a reminiscent mood. Washington was really discovered Ijy the people of the country during the civil war, and when it was discovered it was found to be a city whose buildings, whether for business or residence, except, of course, the Government buildings, were constructed after what is known as carpenters' archi- tecture. They had straight fronts, flat roofs, and a uniform cornice. There were sameness and tameness ever3"where, and rarely any attempt to secure individuality in construction. The city was then (during the sixties) in the senior 3'ear of the course of studies discovered by the Mock Turtle as being the regular course of the school at the bot- tom of the sea, described in that charming study in sociolog}^ by Lewis Carroll, entitled Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The Mock Turtle, 3^ou remember, having described the school in a general way, said to Alice: "I only took the regular course." "What was that? " inquired Alice. "Reeling and wa-ithing, of course, to begin with," the Mock Turtle replied; "and then the difi'erent branches of arithmetic — Ambi- tion, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision." A hundred years or more ago, with the expansive plan of L'Enfant, with the cupidity of buyers of real estate at the east of the proposed Capitol, Washington went through a specific course of Ambition. It was elective in the highest degree. Speculation, disappointment, and many other elements drove the settlement to the west, and the new town took its sophomore course in Distraction. These courses were of short duration; but when the city entered upon its junior course and took up Uglification it practiced the plan of uglif\'ing for more 267 268 PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OE COLUMBIA. than half a century. It succeeded, however, and passed with credit marks into the senior 3"ear of its three-quarters of a century course, and was in the midst of its course in Derision when it was discovered. It was graduated, then, from the whole course, having industriously and conscientiously passed its years of Ambition, Distraction, Uglifi- cation, and Derision summa cum laude. As a result of the discover}' growing out of the fact that vast num- bers of our people visited Washington during the war and the j^ears immediateh' following it, the country awoke to the fact that the city was the seat of the national capital. Congress itself was hardlj" aware of it and had never done much to improve it. There were quarrels and dissensions, vague and dreamj" suggestions, but little or no prac- tical effort on the part of the Federal Legislature to improve and beautify a cit}" that had every possibilit}" for improvement and for beautifying. The main plans on which it was founded were preserved, to be sure, in great degree. It was known as the Cit}' of Magnificent Distances, but the distances were the only magnificence to be found here. In all its period up to the earl}' seventies it was a dirty, filthy, uncouth place — ragged and plain. Fowls and animals, especiall}' swine, were seen everywhere. It was a surprise to visitors passing along the streets and avenues of the city to find their wa}' disputed b}^ the porkers. I have seen swine rooting in the streets within half a square of the White House. Pavements were rare, and those that existed were abominable. The streets were almost impassable for heavy wagons after a slight rain, and I have seen {irmj wagons passing along New York avenue between Tenth and Fifteenth streets even sink to the hubs in the mire. But a change came, and the city owes the change as nmch to the pig as to anything else. While traditionally the cackle of a goose set Kome free, it was the rooting of a pig that gave Washington its impetus and prevented the removal of the capital to some city where municipal government had some force and power. Under the old charters the boards of health had little or no power and hardly any activity. A distinguished Senator — and this story was related to me by one of the participants, and while I have given the story in another place, it is appropriate here — a distinguished Senator was very much annoyed one morning, after completing the terrace about his new house, to find that the pigs had rooted it up, and, although he promptly shot one or two of them, he was nevertheless ver}- much exercised, and he determined at once to introduce a bill for the removal of the capital, on the ground that the capital of the United States ought to be located in a city where the municipal government had some public spirit, and force enough to make it a place suitable for a residence for the Presi- dent and Congress. My informant begged him to do nothing of the kind, but, on the contrary, to secure the passage of a bill which would PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 269 give the board of health proper power. After considerable remon- strance the Senator agreed to this course, and he acted upon his conclusion. As a result there is found in the act providing a government for the District of Columbia a provision for a board of health, whose dut}^ it is to declare what shall be deemed nuisances injurious to the health and providing for the removal thereof, and to make and enforce regu- lations to prevent domestic animals from running in the streets of the cities of Washington and Georgetown. This became part of the organic law of the new government established at that time, and the action of the Senator referred to had much influence in securing that act. This was in 1870 or 1871. So it was a pig that led to the removal of his kind from the streets and avenues of the citj^ of Washington. I have seen some descrip- tions of the proposed plans for l)eautifying Washington, but I have seen no suggestion for the erection of a statue to the principal mover in bringing about the revolution of the seventies, when Washington passed from her senior course in Derision to her post-graduate course in Ambition. From that period to the present, Washington has steadily pro- gressed. Her residential portions are extensive, and beautificKl by varied architecture. The ethical and economic effects of this move- ment are in evidence everywhere. The city has taken on new charac- ter, and its economic prosperity has advanced in marvelous degree. Washington has had the great advantage, so far as my recollection serves, of being the only city founded and planned for the capital of a great nation. All, or nearl}^ all, other capitals have been selected for the seats of government, but Washington was made for this pur- pose. It should, therefore, have had the patriotic support of the people and the active support of Congress in making it what its found- ers intended it should be — the most beautiful and the most attractive capital city in the world. This was the ambition, an ambition which was lost through many degrading influences. We are now entering upon another ambitious period, with the design and the earnest purpose of carrying out the original plans in all their perfectness and grandeur. We have now, in all probability, as beautiful a capital cit}^ in many respects as an}^ nation, but with its surrounding territory, its rolling countr}^, and all its natural advan- tages, together with wide streets and broad avenues, it should be more than it has been — it should be the most beautiful capital city of the world. Untrammeled by manufactures, and not what the great Wash ■ ington intended it — the commercial center of the country — but the Government's center, there is no reason, except that growing out of lack of interest, why it should not be perfected and made all that the ambition of a wealthy people wish it to be. 270 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Works of art, dignified and varied architecture, grand public edifices, beautiful drives, long vistas, magnificent boulevards — all these things, when they come, will add to the moral influence of the city. Patriot- ism, in demanding such things, stimulates its own growth. Visitors to the city of Washington now go home with a truer idea of the genius of the Federal Government, of its institutions, of its service in all directions — its service as an educational and scientific power — and with a respect which they could not gain under the old regime. We are proud of Washington as it is; we are all proud of the effect its institu- tions have upon our guests from abroad. How many times we have met them after a visit to the Congressional Library, for instance, and heard their expressions of admiration. Nothing has more thoroughly convinced the foreign visitor of the power and the genius of the Amer- ican people than the Congressional Library. Nowhere in any capital can such a structure be found, nowhere can a public building match it, but when, on the other hand, they see that it is the outer covering of a structure of education, of art, of the soul of the people, their admi- ration knows no bounds, and they go home with a respect for the American people that no other single institution induces. Our own citizens are proud of it. They tell the story of its beauty to their friends at home, and the result is a constant stream of visitors to the city of Washington, that in many instances would not arrive were it not for the stimulation coming from that one grand exemplifi- cation of the greatness of our nation. The other public buildings of the city aid in all this, and it can easily be imagined that, should the proposed plans be carried out even partially, Washington will become the Mecca of the patriotic travelers of our land. Anything that inspires respect for the Government, admiration for its genius, and love for its fostering care and for its endeavors to enlighten the people through the great institutions that exist in Washington, is certainly to be encouraged, and of itself this ethical influence is sufficient, it seems to me, to induce the Congress to enter upon the work proposed. I feel very sure that the voters of the land will support any measure for the improvement of their own capital. They are proud of it now that they know it; they will be prouder still of it when it Is made what it can be and when all the structures that are now unsightly and belong to the uglifying influences of the city ai'e removed and in their places the beautiful architectural designs are found in the practical results of construction. From an economic point of view, all that is proposed must meet with approbation. Washington has already become the winter resi- dence of many wealthy citizens, and the resort of students who find here the facilities for supplementing their college and university work. The results of the plan now proposed would expand this annual pilgrimage; hence property would find more stable if not PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 271 increased values and all the accompaniments — trade, transportation, every desirable feature — would secure increased attraction. It is sometimes lamented that Washington is not an industrial city, and our business and commercial bodies are endeavoring to secure the erection of great manufacturing plants. This is perfectly natural from a purelj" business point of view; but can Washington become a great manufacturing center? Is it desirable that it should become such? The cit}^ is now one of the most industrious places in the country. In the United States at large over 50 per cent of the popu- lation over 10 3"ears of age are engaged in some remunerative occupa- tion; in Washington nearly 55 per cent of its population over 10 years of age are so engaged. This state of affairs constitutes an economic advance. The ordinary business of the town, its local man- ufactures, etc., offer employment, to be sure, but the industrial devel- opment of Washington does not offer for the future an}^ great induce- ment to make it a manufacturing center. The economic position of the city is approached more fairly from the sociological side than from the purel}^ industrial point of view. Wages are higher here, on the whole, than in any part of the country, so far as skilled labor is concerned, and so far as the clerical work of the departments is taken into consideration, compensation is much greater than in private business. As Washington has grown without industry, without commerce, is it not well to preserve it as the center of legislative action, of scientific development, of art, and of educa tion ? It can prosper on these lines, and the country at large, I believe, will gladly support and encourage it in its future grand development. There will be manufactured here from time to time, as now, the things which are needed for the consumption of the people residing here, and it may be well in particular instances to have industries located in the vicinity of Washington, that its people may secure the products at first hanas. All these things would find expansive results in carrying out the proposed plans for the further development of the city. Thus, economically, these plans offer the strongest inducement for Congress to adopt them. Liibke opens his Historj^ of Art with this statement, taken from the German artist-poet Platen : The more things thou learnest to know and enjoy, the more complete and full will be for thee the delight of living. This beautiful expression is particularly applicable to the present ambitious mood in which we find ourselves. The artistic develop- ment of Washington will teach us to know and to enjoy, and our delight of living and the delight of living of those who come after us will be more complete and full. The nations, the States, and the municipal governments of this and other lands are constantly erecting things of beauty — statues of cele- 272 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. brated men, public buildings decorated with costlj^ designs. All this shapes public taste; it may not be always in the most purely artistic direction, but it shapes public taste for something beyond the com- mon architecture of Washington. It teaches us to demand that our libraries, capitols, public halls, and churches shall be works of art. Are there many such in this city? We see something of this artistic development, however, in such structures as the Boston Public Library, with its splendid ornamentation; the Corcoran Art Gallery, which in itself is a poem, and that most magnificent of all buildings in this or in any land, as I have said, the new Congressional Library. All these things bespeak moral and economic results that can not be calculated by the statistician, and it is their influence that makes the common man insist that if he is to purchase a kitchen stove it shall be artistic. Let me repeat another story. During the World's Fair at Chicago an old farmer living in southern Illinois was advised to visit the expo- sition. His answer was: "No; we have had cattle fairs in Shelby County that can beat anything the}^ can put up in Chicago." After some persuasion, however, the worthy farmer concluded to visit Chi- cago, and his friends had the shrewdness to take him to the exposition by the water route from the city. Coming up from the pier, he was first introduced to the artistic magnificence of the White City. As he entered the Court of Honor, with its brilliant electric illumination, he suddenly stopped and, raising his hands, said, with an oath, "I don't believe it." It dawned on that man for the first time in his life that things could be created out of the minds of men; that there was some thing that did not grow; that nature was not all; that God had endowed his beings with creative souls as well as with souls for worship and with hands for work. There was an inspiration in the man's mind, the effects of which could never cease to influence him. Now, under the new Washington, let the crude citizen, who knows nothing of art, who has never seen anything of beauty, visit it, and he will experience the same delight of expanded soul that the old farmer of southern Illinois experienced in visiting the Court of Honor. All creations of art stimulate the moral and economic life of the people. Others may dwell upon the esthetic efi^ects of the proposed plans, but this moral and economic eft'ect is one that we must consider in the beginning; for in all its forms, art, as expressed to the eye, the heart, and the soul, has in it something of divine inspiration and has contributed more to social well-being than any other force that can be named. It has made the plain beautiful: it has made nature something more than nature itself. Mr. F. Hopkinson Smith, in his sketch entitled A Day at Laguerres, has told us: There is a quality which one never sees in Nature until she has been rough- handled by man and has outlived the usage; it is the picturesque. In the deep PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 273 recesses of the primeval forest, along the mountain slope, and away up the tumbling brook, Nature may be majestic, beautiful, and even sublime, Ijut she is never pic- turesque. This quality comes only after the ax and the saw have let the sunlight into the dense tangle and scattered the falling timber, or the round of the water wheel has divided the rush of the brook. This is true; the picturesque does not come until art has shaped the surroundings. It will be the result of art that the natural beauties of Washington become picturesque. We can easily foresee the moral and economic results — we can not onlj^ foresee, but we know what those results will be; the experience of the world emphasizes them, for art ever3"where has been a source of wealth and of moral influence. Fine art itself is a wealth producer. The payment of $10,000 or $50,000 for a painting enriches the com- munity in which the artist lives. There has been something added in the way of treasure to a country's assets b}^ the production of its artistic genius. The very presence of great pictures is a local beuetit. Take the Sistine Madonna from Dresden, roh) Paris of the Louvre, despoil London of its National Galleiy, or Antwerp of its Rubens collection, take the Art Museum out of Boston, destroy the Congres- sional Library and the Corcoran Art Galler}^, remove the galleries which are growing up so rapidly in our Western cities, and the com- mercial value of all the places in which these rich treasures are stored will be depreciated. So when Washington experiences the grand delight of having all such things, and more — the things that are suggested in the proposed plans^t will find itself enriched not only in moral influence — in the development of a taste for the best there is in architectural art and in landscape architecture — but richer in a purelj^ commercial sense, and when this richness comes to it no argument, no consideration, can induce the city or Congress or the people (who make the Congress) to remove it in the least degree. p 1—03 18 II^DEX. A. Adams, President John Quincy, 108; builds house in Washington, 203. Agricultural Department, 82. Agriculture, Secretary of, marks trees in Agricultural grounds, 12. Allen, Col. Charles J., U. S. Corps of Engineers, 16. Alley houses, 37. American art at Paris exhibition in 1900, 156. American Institute of Architects, discussion of Washington plans by, 228. American Park and Outdoor Association, President Eliot's paper before, 247. Analostan Island, 85. Anacostia flats, reclamation of, 5, 6, 16, 37, 92. Anderson, W. W., 40. Animals, exhibition buildings for, 263. Annapolis, Md., plan of, suggestive of Washington plan, 192. Antwerp quay, 259. Arboretum for the District of Columbia, 23. Architectural Review, articles in, on Washington, 194, 228. Argyle Mill road, 15. Arlington, 6, 86. Army Medical Museum, 82. Art and the Toilers, paper read before the American Social Science Association by Rev. Frank Sewall, D. D., 242. Associated Charities, statement of, relative to need of additional parks, 35. Athens, commercial value of Pericles's work in, 175. Atkinson, Representative, favors purchase of Rock Creek Park, 105. B. Babcock, Col. Orville, lays out part of the Mall, 213. Baker, Dr. Frank, superintendent Zoological Park, 12. Baltimore, parks of, 117, 125. Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, 6. Barbour, J. L., 103. Barlow, Joel, 108. Barnard heirs, 13. Barney, Joshua, opposed British advances in 1814, 16, 21. Bartholdi fountain in Botanic Gardens, 80. Bartlett, his statue of Lafayette in Paris, 155. Bates, E. T., 110. Bates, James A., 103. Bathing beach, 6, 36. Battery Kingsbury, 20. Battleground National Cemetery, 15; list of soldiers killed in battle near, 20. Beach, Capt. Lansing H., Engineer Commissioner of the District of Columbia, 8, 9, 13, 91. 275 276 PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Beck, Senator, hia bill for Zoological Park, 102. Bell, Charles J., 103. Berlin, parks in, 6, 35. Berry picking in parks, 252. Bingham, Col. Theodore A., officer in charge public buildings and grounds, 5, 14, 187; report of, as to park needs, 10. Blagden, Thomas, 12, 14. Blake, Dr. J. B., commissioner of public grounds, conversations with on Capitol grounds, 201. Blount, Col. Henry F., 7, 12, 24, 137. Blount, Representative, opposes purchase of Rock Creek Park, 105. Boring, William A., chairman committee on legislation, American Institute of Architects, 67; suggestions of, relative to park system, 69; recommends Messrs. Burnham and Olmsted, for members of Commission, 68. Boston, parks of, 125. Botanic Garden, 10, 79,202; outgrowth of Wilkes's exploring expedition, 212. Boyce tract, 10. Boynton, Gen. H. V., Rock Creek Park commissioner, 102, 106. Bramhall, Col. M. L., 7,13. Bridges, Connecticut avenue, 84; Massachusetts avenue, 84; memorial bridge, 84; Aqueduct Bridge, 85; Long Bridge, 85. Brightwood, 8. Bristol, Rev. Dr., 154. Britton, A. T., 102. Brooklyn, riverside tenements of, 37; cost of parks in, 110; parks of, 125. Brown, A. B., 103. Brown, Senator B. Gratz, 100, 119. Brown, Glenn, secretary American Institute of Architects, 67; his history of the Capitol quoted, 194, 228; paper on the making of a plan for Washington City, 189; paper on eighteenth and twentieth century plans far Washington City, 223. Brown, Henry K., his statue of Washington, 144; sculptor of Scott and Greene statues, 149. Brown, Plenry K. Bush, sculptor of Sherman statue, 153. Brown, S. T., 7,199. Buchanan, President James, at inauguration of Washington statue, 146. Budapest, 6. Bundy, Judge Charles S., 7, 12,13,34. ■ Burchell, Norval W., 103, 107. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 82. Bureau of Standards, 91. Burnham, Daniel H., president Park Commission, 38,167,223; paper on the Com- mercial Value of Beauty, 175, 235. Butler, Rev. Dr., 144. C. Cannon, Representative Joseph G., favors purchase of Rock Creek Park, 104. Capitol, The, burned in 1814, 203; situation of, 158. Capitol grounds, control of, 79; enlarged, 204; planted by Maher, 204; present design of, 206; paper relating to trees, shrubs, and plants in, 201; index to trees of, 210; list of trees and shrubs in, 218. Carlisle, Calderon, 102. Casey, Gen. Thomas L., Rock Creek Park commissioner, 106. Centennial avenue, editorials from the Star on, 179. Chaney, John C, 12. PAKK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 277 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, 86. Chicago Exposition, 238. Church, C. B., 103. Citizens' Relief Association, statement of, relative to need of additional jjarks, 35. Clagett, William H., 103. Cleveland, President Grover, 152. Clifton, 10. , ■ . Class, Adolf, 199. Columbus Memorial Park, name suggested for Rock Creek Park, 105. Continental Congress votes equestrian statue of Washington, 147. Columbia avenue, 9. Columbia Heights, 5. Columbia Heights Citizens' Association, statement of, in regard to playgrounds, 31. Columbia Historical Society, 141, 189. Cooke, H. D., 199. Coombe, George, describes Washington as a straggling village reared in a drained swamp, 203. Copeland, Arthur, 12. - Corcoran, W. W., 101. ' ' Corcoran Gallery of Art, 229. Coville, F. v., botanist of the Department of Agriculture, 16; letter of, relative to arboretum, 25. Cox, William Y., 7, 12, 114; history of Fort Stevens, 41; notes by, on establishment of a national park, 99. Crane, John H., 103. Cranford, Joseph H., 7. D. Daniels road, 8. Davis, Lewis J., 103. Day, Frank Miles, 67, 78. Dayton, Ohio, improvement of, 38. Dent, Josiah, 101-103. Depew, Senator Chauncey M., 154. Do well, Julian C, 7-12. Downing, landscape architect, proposed plan for improvement of the Mall, 25, 213, 214. Douglas, Hon. Stephen A., 144. Dublin, parks of, 117. E. Early, Gen. Jubal, at Fort Stevens, 12, 21. Eckington, 5. Edson, John Joy, president \\^ashington Board of Trade, report of, as to park improvements, 11, 21, 103. Emory, M.G., 43,199. Kliot, President Charles W., of Harvard University, paper of, on the utilization of public reservations, 247. EUicott, Henry J., sculptor of Hancock statue, 152-159. Equestrian statues in Moscow, 141. Estates, lack of large private, 254. Europe, outdoor life in, 248. Evans, E. B., 12. Evening Star, communication to, relative to arboretum, 27, 111; editorials as to improvement of Rock Creek Park, 9; editorials relative to Centennial avenue, 179. Exhibition buildings for animals, 263. 278 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. F. Fardon, Dr. A. P., 103. First Ohio Battery, 21. Fish Commission, building of, 82. Fitch, James E., 103. Federal City, Washington so called by President Washington, 202. Fendall, Reginald, 103. Flower picking in parks, 252. Forts, De Russy, 20; Massachusetts, 41; Reno, 20; Totten, 20, 21. Fort Stevens, 10-12-21; bibliography of, 58; bill for the purchase of, 17-20; forces engaged at, 55; history of, 41; Lincoln National Park Association, 59; loss at, 57; maps of, 60,61,62; named for Brig. Gen. Isaac Ingalls Stevens, 42; opposing forces at, 56. Fort Drive, 6, 92. Fox, E. W., 103. Foy, John, in charge of Capitol grounds, 203. Franklin Square, 32. Eraser, Daniel, 7. Frederick the Great, statue of, in Berlin, 147. French, Daniel Chester, his Washington statue in Paris, 154. G. Gallinger, Senator J. IT., 34, 67. Garfield Park, 96. Garnett, Henry Wise, 102. Gatchel, J. Fred., 12. Genesee street, 15. George III, of England, equestrian statue of, 142. Georgetown, citizens' meeting relative to Rock Creek, 104; park needs of, 9, 11, 13. Georgetown harbor, 260. Germany, bathing facilities in, 36. Gibbs, Benjamin F., 34. • Gilbert, B. F., 103. Given, John T., 103. Glover, C. C, 13; starts movement to acquire Rock Creek Park, 102. Goode, George Brown, 108, 174. Government Hospital for the Insane, 94. Grant, Gen. U. S., memorial to, 96, 154; relics of, 172. Great Falls of the Potomac, 165. Green, E. B., 67, 72. Green, 0. C, 103. Greene, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel, statue of, 148. Grout, Representative, 105. H. Hallet, 159. . Hancock, General, statue of, 152. Hanna, Senator Marcus A., at Fort Stevens, 43. Harban, J. H., 12. Harewood, 118. Hatton, Frank, 103. Hausseman, Baron, commercial value of his work in Paris, 176. Hayes, President Rutherford B., 152. Heard, Representative, favors purchase of Rock Creek Park, 105. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 279 Hemphill, Representative John W., Ill; favors purchase of Rock Creek Park, 105; report of, on a public park in the District of Columbia, 127. Hendricks, Senator Thomas A., report of, as to national park, 99. Heurich, Christian, 7. Highway-extension plans provide for additional parks, 31. Hill, James G., 67. Hill, William Corcoran, 103. . - ■ Hoban, James, 160. Hooker, Representative, favors purchase of Rock Creek Park, 105. Hornblower, J. C, 67. Horses should be provided for in parks, 253. Houdon, his head of Washington, 147. Howard University Park, 95. Hoxie, Captain, report of, on Rock Creek, 101. Husted, Gilbert M., 34. Hutchins, Stilson, 103. Hyde, Elizabeth A., 34. ' 1. Illinois avenue, 15. Ingalls, Senator John J., 102-104, 112. J. Jackson, President Andrew, originates idea of memorial bridge, 84; equestrian statue of, 144; anecdote of, 204. Jacobsen, Charles, 7-12. Jail, 94. James Creek Canal, 36. Jefferson, President Thomas, his connection with plan of Washington, 191. Johnson, Esau L., 12. Johnson, J. Harrison, 7. Johnson, J. M., 102. Joint Committee on the Library control Botanical Gardens, 79. Jones, T. D. , sculptor, fails to carry out contract for McPherson statue, 150. ' Judson heirs, 13. Justice, Department of, 73. K. Kauffmann, S. H., paper by, on equestrian statuary, 102. Kerr, Representative, opposes purchase of Rock Creek Park, 105. Kilbourn, Hallett, 103. Kitson, Henry, sculptor of Sherman statue, 154. Klingle Ford Bridge, 7. Kober, Dr. George M., 34. Lancaster, C. C, 12. Langley, Dr. S. P., 102, 103; Rock Creek Park commissioner, 106; on the needs of the Zoological Park, 168. Lamer, Noble D., 103. Lee, J. William, 12. Leipzig, war monument in, 144. Lemon, George E., 103. L' Enfant, Maj. Peter Charles, 158,179,202,225; his map of Washington, 223; sub- mits draft of plan of city to Washington, 190. 280 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Le Notre, landscape architect, 192. Lincoln, President Abraham, 10, 12, 15; at battle at Fort Stevens, 53. Linton, Irwin B., 39. Literary Society of Washington, paper read before, 237. Little Falls of the Potomac, 165. Liverpool, parks of, 117. Lofton, AVilliamS., 12. Logan, Gen. John A., 151; statue of, 154. London, 6, 35; parks of, 125; plan of, 248; Sir Christopher Wren's plan for, 212, 214. Long Bridge, 6, 83. Looker, Capt. Henry B., surveyor of the District of Columbia, 7, 12, 13; letter of, on connection between Zoological and Rock Creek parks, 137. Loring, Dr., 103. Lung, F. J., 40. M. McClellan, Gen. George B., statue of, 154. McKinley, President William, 154. McLean, Washington, 102. McKim, Charles F., member Park Commission, 38, 167, 223. McMillan, Senator James, 13, 14, 21, 23, 34, 67, 91, 114, 228; outlines park problem to legislative committee of the American Institute of Architects, 67. McPherson, General, statue of, 150. Macfarland, Hon. Henry B. F., president Board of Commissioners, District of Columbia, 167. . ■: Madison, President James, 228. Magruder, James A., 199. Maher, James, Capitol grounds enlarged under charge of, 204. Mall, the, 5; api^ropriations for, 11; as garden approach to Capitol, 192; as a connec- tion between the White House and Capitol, 179; character of plans for, 181; Downing plan for improvement of, 25; extensions of, 80; occupation by Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company, 81; plan of development for, 11; planned during Admin- istration of John Adams, 212. Mallery, Allen W., 7-12. Manuel, S. A., 12. ■ . : .' : Maria Theresa, statue of, in Vienna, 147. INIarine Barracks, 94. Martin, Senator Thomas S. , 34. - • • ■ Matthews, Senator Stanley, 152. Meigs, General, 43, 100. Memorial bridge, 6; competition for designs of, 85. "Men on Horseback," paper by S. H. Kauffmann, 141. Meridian Hill, 118. • " Messer, Clarence E., paper Ijy, 237. Metropolis View, 118. Michler, Maj. N., report of, on Rock Creek region, 100; report of, on Rock Creek Park, 114. Military road, 8. Mills, Clark, sculptor, 144; his statue of Washington, 146. Mirick, H. D., 12. Misfit subdivisions, 10-12. Monument grounds, 82. Moore, Charles, 5, 14, 21, 39, 73, 97, 167, 259. Moore, F.L., 12,13. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 281 Moore, Representative, favors purchase of Rock Creek Park, 105. Moral benefit of parks, 257. Morris, M. F., 103. ^Moscow, equestrian statues in, 141. Mount Vernon boulevard, 6, 96. Mount Vernon Square, 32. Munich, parks of, 117. Nash, Governor George K., of Ohio, at Fort Stevens, 43. National Arts Club of New York, paper read before, 223. National Museum, 82; new building for, 172. National Sculpture Society, recommendations of, as to Sherman statue, 153. Naval Hospital, 94. Naval Observatory, old, 86. Navy-yard, 94. Newton, A. P., 12. New York City, appellate court, 237; Central Park, expense of, 117; cost of parks in, 110; parks of, 125. Nordhoff, Charles, 103. Normanstone, 10. Norris, James L., 107. North Capitol and Eckington Citizens' Association, statement of, as to need of addi- tional parks, 39. Noyes, Crosby S., 102. Noyes, Theodore A., president board of trade, remarks of, as to the park system of the District of Columbia, 5, 12, 21, 103. O. O'Brien, Dr. Emilie Young, 34. Olmsted, Frederick Law, lays out Capitol grounds, 79; paper by, relating to trees, shrubs, and i)lants in Capitol grounds, 211. Olmsted, Frederick Law, jr., member Park Commission, 38,67, 69, 95, 223; remarks of, on plan of Zoological Park, 170; statement of, relative to park pi-oblem, 75; notes on the Antwerp quay and the exhibition of animals in zoological parks, 259. Olmsted, Olmsted and Eliot, their work on the Zoological Park, 169. Ord, Judge, offers to donate land in valley of Rock Creek, 101. Outdoor life in Europe, 248. P. Palmer, Senator John M., 153. Paris, 6-35; changes in plan of, 189, 223; commercial value of the work of Louis Napoleon and Baron Haus?emann in, 176; parks of, 117. Park Commission, 194,223,229; criticism of, plans of, by Clarence E. Messer, 237; plans described, 229. Park system of the District of Columbia, comments on the parks and their connec- tions, 14, 31, 32, 67, 79, 97, 183. Parks, small, use of, by people, 247. Park life, requisites of, 249. Parker, Col. iM. M., 103. Parsons, J. L., 7-12. Paul, Joseph, 103. Paxton, Rev. Dr. John L., 151. Payne, John Howard, 108. 282 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Payson, Representative, opposes purchase of Rock Creek Park, 105. Peabody, Robert S., president American Institute of Architects, 67, 70, 78. Pennsylvania avenue, area south of, 11, 14, 80, 94; valuation of squares south of, 80. Pennsylvania Railroad Company, occupation of Mall by, 81. Perry, R. Ross, 103; Rock Creek Park commissioner, 106. Philadelphia centennial, 238. Philadelphia, cost of parks in, 108; parks of, 125. Philip IV, of Spain, statue of, at Madrid, 146. Pierce Mill, 8. Piney Branch, 9. Playgrounds, 6-36. Poland, Senator Luke P., offers resolution as to National Park, 99. Post, Geo. B., 63,73-74. Potomac Park, 5, 83. Potomac quay, 260. Potomac River drive, 94. Potomac River front, 84. Powell, Major, Engineer Commissioner of the District of Columbia, 16-21. President's house, 99, 160; report of Major Michler as to site for, 117. Proctor, Senator Redfield, bill of, to establish a national military park, 17. Public comfort stations, 36. Public school parks, 36. Public reservations, utilization of, 247. E. Randle, A. E., 12. Read, Albert M., 12-16; letter of, relative to establishment of arboretum, 23-26, 27. Rebisso, Louis T., sculptor of McPherson statue, 150. Restaurants, value of, in parks, 251. Reyburn, Dr. Robert, 103. Richards, W. P., 21,111. Richardson, F. A., 103. Robert, Col. H. M., Rock Creek Park commissioner, 106. Robinson, Moncure, homestead of, 119. Rock Creek, 6-7; pollution of, 11, 86; report of Maj. N. Michler on, 100. Rock Creek drive, 113. Rock Creek Park, acquisition of, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14; history of, 99-140; act authorizing establishment of, 126; awards reported to the court by the appraising commission, 129; connection with Potomac Park, 137; establishment of, 87; Hemphill, report on, 123; improvement of, 108; map of, 112; roads condemned, 132; supreme court of the District of Columbia sustains action of Commission in regard to awards, 132; House defeats bill for purchase of, 105; work of the Commission, 133. Rockwell, Col. A. F., commissioner of buildings, 213. Rome, bathing facilities in, 36. Rowell, Representative, report of, on Rock Creek, 101. Rutherford, R. G., 7-12-13. S. St. Elizabeth's {see also Government Hospital for the Insane), 16. St. Gaudens, Augustus, member Park Commission, 38, 167, 223. St. Petersburg, plan of, 189, 224. Sands, F. P. B., 103. Satterlee, Bishop, 152. PAEK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 283 8aul, John, 214. Saunders, William, establishes arboretum, 25, 212-214. School children and parks, 255. Scott, Gen. Winfield, statue of, 148. Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, 229. Seufferle, G. J., 107. Sewall, Rev. Frank, D. D., paper by, 242. Shepherd, Alex. R., 199. Shepley, G. F., 67. Sherman, Senator John, 104. Sherman, Gen. William T., 151; statue of, 153; statue of, a child of misfortune, 153. Shoemaker, Louis P., 40. Simons, Franklin, sculptor of Peace Monument, 154. Smith, Carl Rohl, sculptor of Sherman statue, 153. Smith, F. Hopkinson, quoted, 272. Smith, Mrs. Rosa Wright, 15. Smith, William R., superintendent Botanic Gardens, 103,203,214. Smithsonian Institution, 82. Smithsonian Park, 213, 214. Soldiers' Home, 6; connection of, with Rock Creek Park, 92. Somerville, Thomas, 103. Speedway, 6. Spinola, General, opposes bill for Rock Creek Park, 105. Stephenson, W. J., 103. Stevens, Brig. Gen. Isaac Ingalls, gives name to Fort Stevens, 42; life of, by Gen. Hazard Stevens, 42. Stevens, Dr. George T. , report of battle at Fort Stevens, 49. Stone, Dr. C. G., 109. Strong, Justice William, 101. Sunlight, England, improvement of, 38. Switzer, Col. W. F., 103. Symons, Capt. T. W., 102. T. Takoma Park Citizens' Association, statement of, as to need of additional parks, 40. Thomas, Elizabeth, known as Aunt Betty, spoken to by President Lincoln, 42. Thomas, Frank H., 7, 12. Thomas, Maj. Gen. George IL, statue of, 151. Thompson, J. Q., 103. Thompson, J. W., 13. Thompson, W. S., 103. Thoron, Ward, 7, 12. Totten, George O., 12. ' Tracey, E. D., 111. Trees, naming of, 16, 24, 29. Truesdell, Col. George, 103. Trumbull, his portrait of Washington, 147. TJ. Union Veterans' Union, 15; interest of, in Fort Stevens, 12; petition Congress to purchase Fort Stevens, 15. United States Senate, bill for the establishment of a public park in the District of Columbia, 120. U street park, 13, 15. 284 PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. V. Versailles, 192. Vienna, 6; parks of, 117. V^incent, Gen. Thomas M., president Fort Stevens Park Association, 21. W. Wade, Senator Benjamin F. , offers resolution relative to national park, 99. Waggaman, H. P., 11,13. Waggaman, Thomas E., 11, 13. Walker, Duncan S., 103. Walker, Gen. Francis A., 43. - Ward, J. Q. A., sculptor of Thomas statue, 152. Ward, Dr. Lester F., his guide to flora of Washington, 217. Warner, B. H., 103. Washington, President George, 17, 224; avoids calling capital city by his own name, 202; his connection with L' Enfant, 190; house built by, 202; plants trees on the east of the Capitol, 203; relics of, 174; statue of, by Clark Mills, 146; statue of, in NeAV York, 144. Washington, Martha, 148. Washington, advantages of, for study of trees, 201; boldness of plan of, 192; bounda- ries of, 79; defenders of, 54; defenses of, at time of Early's raid, 44; defenseless condition of, in 1861, 41; eighteenth and twentieth century plans for, 223; embel- lishment of, paper by Clarence E. Messer, 237, 267; equestrian statues in, 141; essay on the city of, reprinted from Washington Gazette, 157; flora of, 217; original map of, 189; plan of, original, 192; the making of a plan for, 189; reservations in, 79; street trees in, 214; summer climate unfavorable to turf, 207; water effects in, 192; moral and economic results of embellishment of, 273. Washington elm on Capitol grounds, 201, 203, 204. Washington Board of Trade, resolution of, relative to improvement of Rock Creek Park, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 17; resolution of, as to arboretum, 27. Washington Civic Center, statement of, as to need of additional parks, 34. Washington Gazette, essay on the city of Washington, 157. Washington Market Company, abstract of laws and ordinances relative to, 197-199. Washington Monument, action of Congress relative to, in 1799, 148. Washington Statue Association, 155. W^ebb, H. Randall, 7. Webb, W. B., president Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, 122. Webster, Daniel, urges memorial bridge, 84. Welling, Dr. J. C, 103. Weller, Charles F., general secretary Associated Charities, 38. Weller, M. L, 103. Wheaton, (len. Frank, report of battle at Fort Stevens, 49. Wight, Hon. John B. , president Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, 13. Wilbur, H. 0., 12. Wilkins, Hon. Beriah, 103. Wilkins, Frank G., 12. " . : " Wilkes's exploring expedition, 212. Williamsburg, A^a., plan of, 193. AVilson, Brig. Gen. John M., Chief of Engineers United States Army, 8, 14, 16, 103, 150. Wilson, Hon. James, Secretary of Agriculture, 16-25; report of, as to arboretum, 25. Wilson, S. E. N., 103. Wimer, James B., 7-12. Wine, L. D., 103. PARK SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMRIA. 285 Wine, M. J., 40. Winter parks, 252. Wolcott, Oliver, description of Capitol grounds, 202. Wood, Court F., 12. Woodley Park, 11. Woodley road, entrance to Zoological Park, 13. Woodward, S.W., 103. Workhouse, 94. Wren, Sir Christopher, his plan for London, 190, 224. Wright, General, 100. Wright, Hon. Carroll D., United States Commissioner of Labor, paper on the embel- lishment of Washington, 267. X. Yellow Tavern, 203. Young, C. F., 12. i z. Zoological garden at Hamburg, best in Europe, 262. Zoological Park, 6; act for the establishment of, 86, 102, 122; cost of maintenance of, 168; needs of, 168. Zoological parks, exhibition of animals in, 259. o