346 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
one who had come within my knowledge in this country, or, 
indeed, in any other, the probability of obtaining whom could 
be counted upon. 
"I had no doubt, at the same time, that this was the light 
in which he considered himself, and, of course, that he would 
be so tenacious of his plans as to conceive that they 'would 
be marred if they underwent any change or alteration; but I 
did not suppose that he would have interfered further in the 
mode of selling the lots, than by giving an opinion, with his 
reasons, in support of it; and this perhaps, it might be well 
always to hear, as the latter would stamp the propriety, or show 
the futility of it. To advise this I am the more inclined as I 
am persuaded that all those who have any agency in the busi- 
ness have the same objects in view, although they may differ 
in sentiment with respect to the mode of execution; because, 
from a source even less productive than L’Enfant’s may flow 
ideas that are capable of improvement; and because I have 
heard that Ellicott, who is also a man of uncommon talents in 
his way. and of a more placid temperament, has intimated that 
no information had been required either from him or L’Enfant 
on some point or points (I do not now particularly recollect 
what ) which they thought themselves competent to give. 
“I have no other motive for mentioning the latter circum- 
stance than merely to show that the feelings of such men are 
always alive, and, where their assistance is essential, that it is 
policy to honor them, or to put on the appearance of doing it. 
“I have, however, since I have come to the knowledge of 
Major L’Enfant’s refusal of the map at the sale, given him to 
understand through a direct channel, though not an official 
one as yet, further than what casually passed between us pre- 
vious to the sale of Mount Vernon, that he must in future 
look to the commissioners for directions; that, they having 
laid the foundation of this grand design, the superstructure de- 
pended upon them ; that I was perfectly satisfied with his 
plans and opinions would have due weight if properly offered 
and explained; that if the choice of commissioners was again 
to be made, I could not please myself better, or hit upon those 
who had the measure more at heart, or were better disposed 
to accommodate the various interests and persons concerned ; 
and that it w'ould give me great concern to see a goodly pros- 
pect clouded by impediments, which might be thrown in the 
way, or injured by disagreements, which would only serve to 
keep alive the hopes of those who are enemies to the plan.” 
Jefferson was very much interested in the plans and archi- 
tecture for the Capital ; though he preferred that the city 
should be laid out in squares like Philadelphia. A part of 
the city was so laid out, but in the plans of Major L’Enfant 
these regular squares were transversed with sixteen avenues 
which were to be named after the States. 
In reference to Ellicott (who succeeded L’Enfant) Jefferson 
said in a letter to the Commissioners, dismissing L’Enfant — 
“Ellicott is to go on to finish laying off the plan on the ground 
and surveying and plotting the district. I have remonstrated 
w’ith him on the excess of five dollars a day, and his ex- 
penses, and he has proposed striking off the latter.” 
The far-reaching plans of General Washington and Major 
L’Enfant were not appreciated at the time. L’Enfant was re- 
moved from the employ of the Government shortly after the 
publication of his plans. Later generations departed from the 
original conceptions of Washington and L’Enfant, but their 
artistic value is now being recognized, and they form the basis 
and inspiration of the magnificent plans for the development 
of the Capital prepared by the newly appointed commission, 
consisting of Messrs. Burnham, McKim, and Olmsted, with 
their distinguished associate, Augustus St. Gaudens. If the 
plans are carried out Washington will take rank with Vienna, 
Budapest and other European Capitals. 
This association niay well give its endorsement to a project 
of such great national importance, which will not only give us 
a Capital City worthy of our great country, but will dissemi- 
nate throughout the land high ideas of civic beauty and digni- 
fied e.xamples of landscape art. 
American citizens should interest themselves in urging the 
improvement, under plans of competent landscape architects, 
of not only the City of Washington, but all of our government 
properties. National Parks, Army Posts, Naval Stations, Navy 
Yards, Cemeteries, Soldiers’ Homes and other Government 
and State reservations. 
The committee on Park Census has furnished the members 
of this association with statistics as to the growth of the park 
systems of our country within the past fifty years. I will quote 
from the commencement of its report as follows ; 
"Fifty years ago no municipality in the LInited States had 
purchased an acre of land for park purposes. But by last 
year's reports from all but eleven of the cities of over 50,000 
population there were 2,360 parks and squares enumerated, 
and while the areas are not as complete as the names, the 
total areas as given amount to 59,717 acres, at a valuation of 
$531,571,974.00. The yearly expenses for construction pur- 
poses were $4,555,213.00, and for maintenance, $4,849,150.00. 
We have not completed the reports for cities under 50,000 
population, but it is probably within the facts when it is stated 
that the cities of the United States have 75,000 acres of land in 
parks, and expend $11,000,000 annually in their improvements 
and maintenance.” 
1 think we will all agree that the valuation of park proper- 
ties which appears in the committee’s report represents but 
a small portion of the assets of American cities ; and, more- 
over, that they are the most valuable assets of all cities ; at- 
tracting new residents, as they do; stimulating other improve- 
ments — both public and private — and in all adding very largely 
to the assessable values of property and the income of cities 
and citizens. 
I have known city officials to report even fictitious values 
of city parks when it has suited their purpose to inflate the 
value of city properties as a basis for credit in floating bonds 
at low rates of interest. The same officials have afterwards 
opposed even very low rates of taxation for the care of parks. 
In the report of the Park Census Committee the following 
statement is made; “We believe it to be a fact that there is 
a direct relationship between parks and open spaces, and dis- 
order and crime.” 
The forest must be brought back to our large American 
cities. Ample provision should be made with neighborhood 
parks for the health, pleasure and amusement of their hetero- 
geneous populations, especially for little children. Provision 
should also be made for all classes of the community, for sea, 
lake and river bathing. 
Notwithstanding the steady growth and development in the 
West and on the Pacific Coast, a tide of emigration is setting 
back towards the East, and especially New England ; and with 
the increasing taste for outdoor art and amusement, the devel- 
opment of interurban trolley systems ; the increasing use of the 
telegraph and telephone lines ; lands which have been aban- 
doned are not only being beautified by the landscape gardener, 
but, with the improved system of horticulture, and the ex- 
pansion of markets both at home and abroad, are now made 
profitable investments. 
The Women’s Auxiliary has been a very efficient branch of 
this association, making itself known and felt in public schools 
and homes of the working classes, and extending its branches 
across the continent. Its President and other officers will 
make full reports of their work. 
Upon the Secretary and his assistants has been laid, the 
past year, many onerous duties. The Secretary will make a 
