The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-26
WHITE BEAR IMPROVEMENT.
Some Things Done which Were Far
Better Left UndOne.

Better Left UndOne.
To the Editor of the Globe:
Many improvements are going on at
White Bear under the auspices of the
Improvement company, lately organized
at st. Paul. A great deal Of unsightly
rubbish Is being cleared away; the roads
are undergoing a thorough scrapine: the
cycle paths have been widened and
Strengthened and well rolled, and mat
ters are looking better in many ways
But-and now comes the rubI There are
some things being done which ought not
to be done. Probably general order has
been given to clear away all the loose
brush wood and useless lumber scraps
around the shores of the lake; which I'M
doubtedly have given a very untidy ap-
pearance to them, and should be got rid
or. But general rules require many ex-
captions and demand close inspection
when the execution of them is committed
to subordinates who, however good their
intentions, are not ordinarily supposed to
possess that refinement of taste OF clear
ness Of judgment necessary to the proper
hollng OF exceptions. For instance is It
wise, or was 1t intended, to absolutely
clear away all the growth of green under
brush on the bank of the lake sloping
down to the water? 1t is difficult to be-
lieVe that such an order was given or
that such was the intention of the gentle
men having the work in charge seeing
that the greatest problem we have to
contend with Is the preservation of the
water supply In the lake, of which this
very growth of brush on the shores is
the chief and greatest protection; at the
same time that, so far from being I'M
stghtly, 1t is one of the beauties of the
lake, especially VIII IN viewed from the
water. But let me give. an instance of
not only utter want of taste and iude-
ment on the part of the overseer or the
laborer In the matter. but of what think
an infringement of the rights of property
owners on the shores. My real estate
title runs to the water front across the
road, although the right of way on the
road Is In the public. Now on the bank
slop1ng to the waters edge where no
vehicles could go, was a beautiful, lux
uriant vine, the growth of years, which
had entwined itself around the branches
OF over-hanging trees. thus forming q
charming shady bower and one Of the
beauty spots of the place. It was so COM
pletely covered and secluded as to form
natural bath house where young persons
sometimes changed their dress, without
the least improperly for the purposes of
bathing. So struck was one of nv sons
with dts beauty that this season he placed
within 1t rustic seat for the con-
venience of the family and as a SPOT
where, perchance. some youthful couple
might pour out to one another their Joys
or their woes. What then was my chagrin
yesterday morning, upon paying nay GUS
tomaFy visit to the lake shore, to find the
whole thing had disappeared-had been
totally demolished; the entire vine had
been torn down and carried off and one
or the trees cut down and taken off
with 1t! Now I do not suppose for q
minute that this destruction was wrought
from any motives of enmity against me
1t might, for all know, have been done
by men who were my personal friends:
but 1t does show the necessity of having
lhls work under the supervision of those
VINO have some knowledge, taste and
judgment IN such matters. In fact, ought
not the whole business to be put under
the charge of some thoroughly informed
landscape gardener, capable of dealing
with 1t from the standpoint of water
supply ana proper regard for what
nature has already done for the place.
rather than leave it all to mere iobbine
contractors who, whatever their integrity
or their ability in other respects, cannot
be expected to handle a work of this
character with the care and skill which
1t obviously demands?
L sincerely trust, Mr.. Editor, that nv
friends. who are engaged in this good
work, will not set ME down as a chronic
grumbler But when I look back to the
Slories of White Bear lake in the early
sixties, when I first became familiar with
the grandeur of it's natural beauties:
when the normal height of its waters was
full four feet above what 1t now is, in
spite of what the recent rains have done
for them, and when recall the ruthless,
Vandel-Hke destruction of one of its
most extraordinary attractions-the old
Indian mound-and when I think of our
hard fought battles to save it from de-
struction at the hands of the ST. Paul
Water company; when I think of all these
past events and scenes, I admit that I
have misgivings when I hear of 'White
Bear Improvement companies" For
years White Bear has been the only home
| have had on earth. The light of that
home has. indeed, been put out: but I
love 1t yet with reverential love, for its
sacred memories. w NJ