The evening times., 1896-02-26
POTATOES on THE FlE
Plan to Give Employment to the
CiIy's Poor.
REP. LACEY IN THE SCHEME
He Gets Facts From the War Depart
ment and Turns Them Over for
Further RepOrt-Ex-Secretar En-
cry Tells of Last Years Potato Ex-
pertinent and FavOrs This Proposal

pertinent and FavOrs This Proposal
Those who have hoped to see potato bios
SONS ornamenting the various government
reservations in different portions of thi
city may not be altogether disappointed.
From time to time the suggestion liza
been made that every inch of availabl
vacant ground be utilized in the cultivation
of old-fashioned Irsisll potatoes, the GRO
TO be distributed among the poor, who ar
dependent upon public charity for subsist
ence.
This plan attained wide celebrity by rea
son of its successful experimentation in De
troit, under the direction OF Mayor Pingree
whose name ha IS been given to the system o
relief.
The ultra-enthusiasts at once advocate,
the proposition that every patch OF grOun,
owned by the general government in th'
city OF Washington should be TRANSFORMED
into potato garden. This idea, OF course
could never receive the legal sanction of the
powers that be, and hence the plan has beer
divested of its more chimerical features
and now seems to have been simmered dc WI
to q common sense basis.
Recently n citizen OF this city interested
in the welfare of the poor called upOr
| Chairman Lacey, Of the House COMMITTEE
on Public Lands, and requested him tt
investigate the feasibility and advisa-
bility of permitting the Potomac flats tC
| be cultivated by the various charitable so
| cieties, the proceeds realized from the
products sold to be used during the sue
ceeding winter in ameliorating the condi
| tion Of the destitute.
| PREPARING FOR A BILL.
1t was suggested that bill be framed
turning this waste land over to the chari.
! table societies for the purposes named.
Mr.. Lacey did not consider the proposition
| too Quixotic for consideration, and for
warded letter to the District Commissioners
asking them for an expression of the prac-
| tica bility of the plan.
The Commissioners evidently misunder.
stood the character of the information that
was sought to he obtained, and sent the
letter to the Secretary of War, that official
having jurisdiction over the Potomac flats.
| In due course Of time the War Depart
| ment officials transmitted to Mr.. Lacey
| plain statement of fact to the effect that
about fifty acres OF the flats are available
for gardening purposes. md giving In detail
| all the additional portions which might be
used, except i'll ca SEES Of extreme high water.
But, Invested of all limiting condit IONS,
made necessary by the uncertainty OF en-
croachments from the water. 1t seemed
that but fifty acres could he placed under
cultivation with the assurance that the
crops could be gathered.
Chairman Lacey turned over all the in
formation he had obtained, with the sug-
gestion that the gentleman interested
again see the Officers OF the several char
liable societies desiring to become inter
ested in the project and ascertain whether
the limited acreage available would justify
them in the expenditures necessary to place
the ground under proper cultivation.
His further report on the matter Is await
ed with great interest and the sentiment
among the members of the Public Lands
Committee is that il the charitable scott tes
really desire TO cultivate fifty acres OF the
Potomac flats for the purpose mentioned
they should be permitted to do SO.
BETTER THAN WEEDS ON THE FLAT.
As Mr.. Lacey says. the flats are now given
over to the growth OF weeds, and the gov
ernment could in no way suffer loss by
reason of their being improved and cult
waited.
The only question now is as to whether
the charitable societies can afford to pur
chase the necessary implements required to
conduct gardening enterprise of this
magnitude. 1t must be regarded from all
points OF view as pleasing prospect to con-
template the transformation of the Po-
flats fpfn a rpaf M lot ri
a desirable substitute for the noxious weeds
that now flourish unmolested.
Among the charitable associations there
is, however. somewhat OF a diversity of
opinion as TO the ultimate value OF the pro-
Ject.
George s. Wilson, the newly appointed
secretary OF the a associated Charities. thinks
that under proper management the new
scheme OF cultivating the flat lands may
prove profitable. Even fifty acres would
afford a garden plat for large number of
worthy families.
There is, of course. a large element who
would not work the land II 1t was provided
for them, but the results should not be
determined from these, nor such a PROPOSE
ton condemned on their account.
One difficulty is that the urban popula-
ton, who are reduced TO need, do not under
stand the arts OF agriculture, and do not
take to gardening as readily as they would
to common labor. However, the tract could
be divided into small patches and one OF
these allotted to each applicant ashe mayap-
ply.
PRACTICAL SUPERVISION NEEDED.
Then, with a proper person TO supervise
the farming and see that the work is well
done and the various vegetables tended as
they should be, success might crown their
labors. What would be most needed for I he
good OF such a place would be head to
manage and oversee the gardening.
Mr.. Wilson is a believer in the right OF
man TO natural opportunities, and that this
involves the use of the land, which is q
heritage OF all. He thinks that if
the lands can be had means will be found
for working 1t, and that there are those
who would take advantage of the oppor-
tunity.
Mr.. Bailey Of the Central Union Mission,
however, does not agree with The secretary
Of the Associated Charities.
~ do not take much stock In this scheme"
said he, Though l do not for moment
question the good intentions and laudible
desire to aid the deserving poor. do not
believe it is practical plan. The expert |
ments with the potato patch plan have not |
proven a success. Fifty acres for such a
large city as Washington, with so many |
people, would amount to nothing.
1T would need some one TO look after the
work constantly and stand guard lest
some might reap where others had sown. |