Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-06-05
The Peoples Park.

Editor SdT:-Of course, / have been interested
d In ne various communications and poems my
article Oh the Rock Greek Park In your issue OF
May LIST has called forth. l have been pleased
also, that among all those whom / have ap-
proached on the subject, not one has either OBJ
jected TO the idea doubted the necessity or it, or
d1sSented from any of the propositions there
laid down. was, however, very much surprised
one day 10 hear gentleman on street say,
concerning my letter, ION, that Is some SOD
somebody is trying to work up"
NOW, MT. Editor, had not intended to do any
tn1pg more than draw public attention to this
matter, aid let those with influence and reputa-
ton, and regard for the public welfare take hold
OF II II they felt so inclined; but when my mo-
tive has been so grossly miSconceved / can
hardly withhold pei sOnal explanation which
might not have been needed had had assurance
enough TO sign my name In full TO my first
letter.
The immediate cause of my first communca-
t1on was the discoyel made on a recent visit TO
my old haunts, that a great number OF large
forest trees had been cut down for fire wood
and several bare, unsightly quarries had been
opened In the moss grown ichen-clOthed lodges.
My heart sank within me to see my domain so
ruthleSSly invaded, and what sad havoc one
careless hand could produce In few short
weeks; ana thought how soon should look in
vain for the glory and beauty of this fairy land.
i think there was good cause, then. for my
writing with earnestnesS and warmth, though
may have shown more feeling than discretion
In saying the capitalists might make what
nlthy lucre they could out of the measure so
long as we (the peoplel have the park for our
The fact is, about three years ago prepared
resolution at one OF the business meetings of
the Washington Art Club, to the effect that a
committee or three be appointed to draw I'D q
memorial 10 Congress, praying that certain Dor
tons OF the Rock Creek region be set aside as a
National Park. The few active members sub
mttted it TO laughed at 1t as an idle dream of a
crazy enthusiast Being very sensitive to r1di-
Guile OF this kind / tore IL up without presenting
II In open meeting. Yet, it seemed to me then,
(and 1t seems so stlll) that the surest way to
have the measure presented without prejudice
from those who scent wrong and robbery in
every public measure Is for some such honorable
ana respectable bOdy-entirely separated from
political rings and infuence-to present the
matter openly, boldly In Its true light and
solely on its merits.
1t is hardly time yet to lay plans or to offer
suggestions as to the laying out OF the parks
out IL seems TO me IL 1t ever is done those whose
business IL is 10 make pictures should have a
nearing In what is proper TO cut away and what
Is DeSt 10 leave, 10 show the management what
Is picturesque and what 1cO,tld be.
cannot agree with one of your correspond
ents however, that road should be cut through
the place at once so the people can get to Ii and
see what IL Is Such road before definite
plans are made, might greatly impair the
beauty or the place, and moreover IL would lead
to the establishment of 1nnumerable drinking
saloons. shooting galleries, peanut stands and
all the other denominations the travelled thor
oughfare on the outskirts OF a large city is wont
70 breed. People who really love nature will
nnd their way TO her heart without being coaXed
there by paved drive or walk. II they can
nnd no other means they will bride their milk
man to take them in his wagon after finishing
his morning rounds and drop them In her lap
TO be called for on his return at evening.
Ii. L. HILLYER.