Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-21

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timated that the approximate cost of this
walk, with its approaches. necessary
drains. drain lodges. etc, will be O.Joo."
Regarding lights on the monument
grounds. he says:
1T is again earnestly recommended that
the electric light system ibaugurated in
House be extended throughout the Wash
1hSton monument park. There is
method of artificial illumination between
street north and the propa eating gardens
south OF the monument and i4th and 18th
streets and in the interest of morality and
for the protection of persons necessarily
crossing these grounds night lights are
deemed necessary.
Improving Garfield Park.
The final improvements projected for
Garfield Park, covering an area of about
twenty-four acres. are nearing completion
The main gravel road through this park
leading to Virginia avenue is used as a
thoroughfare for heavy teams. which rem
ders it difficult to maintain il in good con-
tltion during the winter season.
1T is regretted" Col. Bingham says.
That the reduced appropriations will pre-
vent the continuance of any extensive i'm
pfoFementS, the amount available being not
more than sufficient to maintain in good
order the roads. walks. cutters, drains.
h"n surfaces trees. shrubs and other i'm
~ otdHtOIl, FOlSeT ana Marion
PARKS are highly improved, planted with
cholce specimens of trees and shrubs and
lad out with gravel paths. There are
fountains In Folger and Stanton parks. and
stanton Park contains the bronze euues-
TRAN statue of General Greene The gravel
walks in these reservations should be COW
cred with asphalt"
Plea for Fountains
COL Bingham devotes a special chapter to
the subject OF fountains. He says:
"A special plea is made for the beginning
OF scheme of fountains TO be gradually
brought. as years go by, to liberal abund-
ance ard beauty.
OF all the capitals of the world our own
washington is in many respects the most
beautiful. hut it is sadly deficient In foun-
tafns. Nothing makes a city so attractive
both to citizens and strangers, especially
IN this latitude. as an abundance of bub-
ping, sparkling water. In all the bea utiful
Smithsonian and Monument grounds in
Henry and Seaton Parks, in Garfield Park.
there is not a single beautiful fountain:
and in all the District there is not one
large, superb ally lighted fountain.
such as the capital of this nation should
possess. to be talked of the world over.
Yet other cities have such fountains.
1T Is true that much water is needed for
fountains, and II that were to prove an in
surmoIntable obstacle it might be obviated
by building fountains with pumps, thus US
Such pumps can be operated by electricity.
which can also be used to make beautiful
Examinations at night
Ten thousand dollars to be expended in
eight fountains of various sizes, supplied
by the Potomac mains, would enable
striking addition to be made to the beauty
of the nations parks in Washington, and
add greatly to the pleasure and comfort of
citizens and visitors
Cyclists in the White Lot.
Regarding cyclists on the ellipse drive in
the White Lot, the report says:
"A special effort was made in October,
1896 to prevent the further destruction of
the lawn of the ellipse by trespass paths,
and to carry out existing law and police
regulations in regard to speeding bicycles
on the road around the ellipse. which, ow-
ing to the illness of the Waterman at this
park. was being used by bcyclists for
scorching. This had been carried SO far
that complaints were received from pedeS
TRANS and drivers of teams. Information
was received that enc of the police force
of the city. SO far from aiding to stop the
practice of sCorching. actually took part in
violating the regulations which il is pre-
stunned it was his duty to carry out. Four
of the United States watchmen We're with
drawn from Other parks and directed to
break up. if possible. the existing evil. As
result. three bicyciiStS We're arrested dur
ing the month When brought before the
court they We're discharged on their per
SCnal bonds. The evil has continued more.
II less. however. during the present spring
although arrests made from time to
time. 1t is highly desirable that there
should be legislation on the subject which
viii make the punishment sufficiently Sc
we're to break up this selfish and annoying
nuisance.
The Smithsonian Park
In regard to the Smithsonian Park Col
Bingham says:
nf fta
Smithsonian Institution. the road immedi-
ately south of that building was closed To
wagon travel. The secretary also request
ed that the asphalt read between the Ma
tloniI Museum and the Smithsonian build
ing should be similarly closed for the rea-
son that wagon travel disturbed the deli
cate instruments in the astrophysical oh
servatory. No action towar; closing this
latter line OF public travel has been taken
by this office. Thu lawn surfaces OF this
park need renovation: they are planted
with great variety of decidGous and ever
green trees. many of them being the most
ps.iect OF their kind in the parks Of this
country 1t Is earnestly hoped that the en-
tire appropriation requested for This marx
may be granted. On account of the com
slant passage of teams-n:aLy of them
neafiiy laden-over the grave roads il is
difficult TO maintain them in good con6;tion
during the winter end early spring Ahout
n,he years since the construction of as
phalt payements was commenced and has
available funds would admit, until now
out OF an area of about 5000 square wards
OF road and walk surfaces. over is 600
square yards are of asphalt"
Lighting the Public Grounds.
The following parks are lighted by elec
tricfty: Presidents Park. Lafayette Park
FRANKLIN Park. judiciary Park Lincoln
Park.
The two north entrances to the Execu-
tive Mansion grounds are also Illuminated
with electric arc lights one at each en-
trance
Inc electric lights in Lafayette, Franklin
Judiciary and Lincoln Parks were Installed
during the present fiscal year. Immediate
~ after these electric lights were put into
service sixty-three gas lamps III those parks
We're discontinued.
Col. Bingham says it is earnestly hoped
that this system will be extended to the
Executive Mansion grounds, the Monu-
ment and Smithsonian grounds, and to the
various improved parks throughout the
City.
The necessity for replacing the poles of
the present departmental telegraph line
with a system of underground cables is so
apparent, says Col. Bingham. that argu-
ment in its favor is unnecessary