New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-11
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
STRING AND THE BEAUTIES 1T BRINGS
TO THE WASHINGTON PARKS.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS FIELD WORK SOON
TO BEGrN-pIAcEs IN THE LIBRARY.

PROFESSOR LANGLEY's FLYING MAcHrNE-THE
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS FIELD WORK SOON
TO BEGIN-PLAcEs IN THE LIBRARY
Washington. April 1O-From April until June
is the ideal season In Washington Then the
weather Is perfect not too hot. but warm
/ enough to make fires unnecessary and light
clothing agreeable. and from every point OF view
the Capital Is at It's best The parks. with
their thlcky planted plots OF spring flowers, make
tho city seem like great flower garden. and the
air Is heavy with fragrance This year Is no ex-
cepton: the weather cannot be criticised. and all
the people seem to live out OF doors
The grounds about the Executive Mansion ara
the attractivey arranged OF any OF the public
parks and from the first crocuses OF spring until
the fall fros;s. when chrysanthemums the only
flowers that Will flourish out Of doors, the gardens
are filled with bossoming plants. This year the
coming Of n new President 10 have inspired
Mr. Brown. the head gardener OF the city, who
under the Superintendent OF Public Buildings and
Grounds, has charge OF all the Government reser-
vations to unusual efforts. and the White House
grounds have never been more beautiful.
The admirable order and beauty OF the public
parks stimulate the residents OF Washington TO
keep their plots and yards in good condition. and
there many handsome private gardens in town
During the lifetime Of Mr. Bancroft the small yard
in front Of his house in HIST, which is now de-
serted. closed boarded up and rapidly going TO de-
cay, the first spot where crocuses and hya-
cirths could be seen Their appearance was eagerly
watched for. and while they lasted people would
make long detogrs for the purpose OF COINS by ms
venerable historians spring garden. which he
tended and watched over with faithful care. This
in trout of his house in observation-disclosures. and It
is astonishing how many people this gay little
parterre tempts to include this portion Of town In
their walks
Apropos Of Mr. Bancroft. his old and faithful
WITH
many and who in the last years Of the historians
lifetime was almost conspicuous figure as his
master whom re invariably accompanied In his
strolls about town after Mr.. Bancroft's great age
compelled him 10 give up his favcrite exercise and
pastime OF horseback riding. is still 20 be seen
who Is faithful member OF the salvation Army
and devotes all OF his time In laboring for IT,
only a few years back the flying machine was
subject for Jest: later the world began TO be less
scepdcal and 10 watch with interest the expert
ments OF those who worked 70 perfect Il. Now
that Professor Langleys long abors In this d.
rection are finished that his flying machine Is
complete. that he has demonstrated its practi-
cability has actually proved that his machine Will
fly aymen as well scientists wonder and ad-
miro and forget that they ever denied the posi-
bility OF producing such machine.
Professor vsnlcott the director OF the Geological
Survey said in speaking Of this flying machine re-
Professor Langley had shown himself the ideal
scientist that for years he had labored increasingly
On this one idea; that finally, when he had sue
cessfully completed the machine. instead Of hiding
It away and seeking 10 make fortune by selling
lis great work he had taken out no patents, pro-
National Museum where all the world could see
and examine it, and said practically: a.
see, | have made a machine that VIII ny. ~ is
my lifework. and have proved my idea Now
take H. make the most Of X. adapt II TO what you
la
But above everything, Professor Langley is
and generous, especially toward young students
wneR he sa Is nny stories 9pS grs tod Of BIS
generosity. and veteran newspaper men say that
helped them in making reports. Of the scientific
matters ne was interested In. OF which they had
no knowledge, that won them commentator ana
promotion.
Professor walcott Is much interested naturally
in the Forest Reserve matter now being considered
in the Senate. and IN the amendment TO the Sun
dry Civil Service bill appropriating $4,000 for
complete survey OF all tho lands withdrawn from
the public domain by President Clevelands order
Of February % creating fores. reservations. Under
this amendment the work OF this survey IS put
into Professor Walcotts hands and II he under
takes It hts other plans will have TO be altered and
modified
The work allotted TO him will be vast and COM
prehensive for he will only have charge OF the
survey but will be expected 70 report on the char
acter OF all lands. and by his report Will be de-
cided all claims made by settlers that their land is
better adapted for farming or mining than for
forestry To see and hear all OF the dsgruntled
settlers on this land that has been put aside TO
decide Justly and without bias, TO remain obdu-
rate TO all the subtle arguments that will be pre-
sented by those who do not wish 70 be dspossessed
OF the land which they have acquired In legal
manner, or on which they are sguatters demands
han called
display while he represents this country at the
Court of St James. The Western settler IS a
curious person, and goes on the principle that II is
the individual and not the State that should be
first considered. and that the United states Gov
eminent has no rights that any one is bound TO
executive officer, diplomat Oh no mean aniIlty
and he will probably be as successful In this work
as he has been in all the other things he has
undertaken.
The field work Of the Geological Survey will be-
gin soon now and will be as comprehensive as
that OF last year, when typographical work was
carried on in twenty-five States in all parts OF the
Union. and geological work in as many. The
nartiss are generally sent out early In May Those
for work on tho level composed generally OF
five neople: those for hill work OF less number
The ,opographer or geologist in charge Of the de-
tar and one assistant sent from the Survey
They hire their helpers. the teamsters cook. and
chain-bearers IN the country 10 which they
sent They live OF course. in camp while they are
al work. and sometimes situated that they
entoy the fat OF the land. but oftener. especially
when their work lies in the mountains. their lard
ers ara meagerly supplied, and contain only what
they arc able carry niule-back
Professor Wacott says that for months In the
interior he has been without any kind OF food
except beans and salt meat, and that after many ANY
10 fnf