Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-22

LET THE MOTHERS SPEAK.

At the meeting OF iHc Ni'y
Committee on Grounds and Buildings
held Thursday evening, Mr.. Pollock
resolution looking TO making our parks
more attractive and useful was laid on
the table.
If the object of the committee was 70
obtain more information than they now
nave. well and good. but we earnestly
trust the movement will not be allowed to
die out Richmond has invested a large
capital sum in her parks. and is main
tanning them at considerable annual
charge: therefore. we should Try to get
a. much good out of them as possible.
Naturally. our largest park Is foremost
in the public mind. We believe those
who are frequent visitors there have
generally remarked upon the small num-
Der of visitors It has. Outside of those
who 20 there I'm vehicles the average at
tendance is very moderate We are in
olined TO think that more Of our people
20 20 Forest Hin Park than to the
RESERVOIR Park If so, we suspect tho
fault Is not with the officials who have
charae of the Reservoir Park: but rather
with the City Councils policy in respect
to IL.
or all that large tract of land at the
New Reservoir all that is commonly
visited by those who so there on the
street cars is the portion east of the en-
bankment and between the street-car
track on the north side and the street.
car track which passes Shields's Grove.
In other words, most of the park is terra
incognita 10 the average visitor. Ought
that 10 be so? We think not. Why should
not the street-cars run TO the rivers sideY
Why shouldn't the loveliest portion OF the
grounds be opened up to those who ride
ON the street-cars, as we'll as 20 those who
20 there In carriages or on wheels?
Down by the rivers side. or in lake
10 be constructed in Shields's Grove, If
there should be plenty OF running water
there. a public bathing pool should DO
established.
Another case Of a bright, promising
youth being drowned while bathing in the
river here has just been reported. IL
there had been a public bathing place at
the Reservoir Park that life-and many
other lives-might have been saved. Our
BOYS want 10 learn TO swim, and they
ought 10 learn; but the city should pro-
vide safe and convenient pools for them
1he James river is a treacherous and
dangerous stream. II the city would es-
tabnsh public swimming POOLS. II might
then pass an ordinance making II unlawful
10 bathe in the river within the corporate
limits Thus our boys might be taught to
swim without much danger to their
lives.
What agonies have the mothers Of
Richmond not suffered when their boys
have been late in coming home during
the summer. God only knows the
fearsome apprehensions which boys
mothers have had during the bathing
season. Why do the mothers not appeal
60 the City Council? They cannot be in
different; why are they silent? II the
mothers of Richmond would but move il
the matter we should have one or two
wen-eauipped bathing pools established
bv this time next summer. Public senti-
ment is favorable; what is needed is or
eanization and persistent work.
We have thought OF swimming pools u
connection with our public parks because
we have long been satisfied that the policy
we are pursuing with reference to oui
parks is not such as 20 yield results com
mensurate with their cost. We would
have the parks made useful and inviting
II the city would cause the street cars e
run 10 the rivers edge and would have q
swimming pool or pond on tire Reservoir
grounds. and would make better pro-
vision than IL now does for furnishing
orinking water 10 visitors. the Dispatch
believes II knows way whereby 200
might be gradually established there
rhus the park would have whole
.battery' OF attractions. But nothing IN
the way of private contributions or be-
o,ests need be expected until the city
changes its uninspiring and uninvitlns
policy
srhe trouble Is 20 make start The
s ,o,blic thinks II no concern of theirs &c
t,,oe improvements. The city authorities
mead lack OF appropriations. etc
The truth is. that. abundance OF money
has been spent already. but sopae Of 1t has