58 ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 



racial peculiarity was overlooked by such competent designers as those who 

 planned our National Capitol reflects not so much upon them as upon the 

 poverty of statistical resources common to their time. 



Different explanations have been offered for the phenomenon. Early Euro- 

 pean civilizations were swept westward from the ancestral cradle by successive 

 waves of barbaric hoards from central Asia. These invasions could not be fore- 

 seen nor resisted, each generation living in dread of a recurrence. The instinct 

 of self-preservation impelled them to put between themselves and the eastern 

 terror such fortification as they were able to erect and such natural barriers as 

 were available, the homes naturally being placed westward back of the defenses. 

 The practice became instinctive and persists long after the real menace has 

 ceased to exist. 



Also limitless opportunity upon sparsely settled land to the west beckoned 

 and crowded populations found avenues of easy expansion westward. So that 

 while militarily the westward impulse was a retreat, economically it was a 

 forward movement. " Westward the course of empire takes its way " became 

 the conviction of a race. 



This tendency to expand westerly is very marked in the District of Columbia. 

 Improvement of the eastern reaches has loitered and values lagged, while the 

 western have been favored with practically all notable expenditures for con- 

 venience and beautiflcation. 



It can only be checked and the eastern section given the necessary forward 

 impetus by supplying an artificial stimulant. The establishment of the national 

 botanic garden and arboretum on the Mount Hamilton tract and in the 

 Anacostia Basin, with correlative improvements, will furnish the necessary 

 element to turn the scale. The residents of the immediate neighborhood are 

 keenly alive to the need and eager to play their part. 



In 1919, as a measure of urgency, permission was granted a private con- 

 tractor to erect at a point northeast, adjacent to Mount Olivet Cemetery, and 

 only a few hundred feet from the Baltimore Pike and the base of Mount 

 Hamilton, a plant for the disposal of city refuse. 



The residents of the neighborhood were roused by this act as they had never 

 been by years of accustomed neglect. They organized a citizens' association, 

 determined to get rid of the nuisance and then work for the general upbuilding 

 of the section in accord with the plan of the Commission of Fine Arts. 



Under the auspices of the Federation of Citizens' Associations they defined 

 the limits of their jurisdiction as shown by the accompanying map and gave 

 it the name of Trinidad, that being the name of the addition nearest the refuse 

 plant and the geographical center of the territory. 



The present population is 18,318, all but 100 of whom reside west of the 

 proposed park. A careful canvass disclosed the fact that 55 per cent of all 

 own their homes, 79 per cent being white and 21 per cent colored. Under the 

 inspiration of the big idea over 700 public-spirited citizens were enrolled within 

 a few weeks. 



Organized we feel a pride and responsibility we did not feel before. We feel 

 in a large measure responsible to the American people for the care of the gale- 

 way to the National Capital. Everything comes and goes through Trinidad, and 

 tbe visitor will base half his judgment of Washington upon the welcome he 

 receives at the threshold. If the approach is untidy and neglected he will view 

 all the rest with critical eye and suspect the presence of shame where there is 

 none. We therefore mean to press our claims all of the time and pledge our 

 own efforts in cooperation. 



Our population is composed largely of home-owning working people, and tbe 

 character of the population will not change materially even with the proposed 

 garden. " Silk stockings " will continue to seek shelter northwest. Homes built, 

 here and on the several square miles surrounding the garden will be unpre- 

 tentious and not in themselves ornate, however well kept. This is added reason 

 why favor should be shown by National and District Governments in the matter 

 of public improvements. 



Respectfully submitted. 



Don H. York, Chairman, W. E. Ryan, 



L. M. Patterson, Louis L. Hooper. 



C. W. Edwards, Victor < ). Skyrerg, 



Harry C. Murray, William G. Cole, 



O. N. Kolquist, J. D. Rosser, 



S. S. Tolson, 



E.reeutire Committee. Trinidad Citizens' Association. 

 X 



