The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-22
10 BBlOfIfY fHB CITY
Reesnnesdatisss in the Reports q
Cslsnel Bingham.

More Meney Needed - lnDreve snal
Rarks ana F.hllc Lawns-EreetieI
- N Electric Fsunsain suggestes
"A Paln Hsuse Needed - Esti
mates fer the Fiscal Year 10Qz
In Lis annual report to the Secretary Q
War. Col. Theodore A. Bingham. VIII
Il in charge Of public buildings ans
grounds. urges continued improvement Il
the small parks of the city.
One hundred and forty-nve vacan
plats. averaging a quarter of an acre eacl
in size. are still available for conversion
into parklets. Colonel Bingham believes
that the money spent in lettering then
would be OF immense value. Scattered Al
they are all over the city. they woult
afford breathing places during the ho
summer months to thousands Of RESIDENT
and would aid in making the city beautiiu
at every point. In discussing the questio.
Colonel Bingham says In his report:
IAN average Of $500 apiece would make
: = good beginning toward making parks Of
these Jas unimproved plats. An average
Of Loco apiece would make them fairly
presentable.
LET It not be forgotten that generocs
parks bring in large returns In the better
health OF the population and reduction OF
the death rate; IN providing pleasure
grounds for young and old: in improving
real estate values: in refining and hence
making better citizens OF all classes, ard,
by no means least, in establishing a reputa-
ton for attractiveness which brings visi-
tors and residents and hard dollars to Q
city.
while 1t cannot be claimed that It is In
any way necessary to improve all of the
parks still remaining unimproved within
three years, still 1t is respectfully urged
that, taking the number of unimproved
parks as 145, and allowing 81, 600 apiece on
an average, 1t would be much more eco
nomical. instead Of spending $4,000 per
$4,000 year for three years."
Few Fountains fn Warrington.
1T is remarkable that there are very few
fountains In Washington and these few are
Insignificant Not only should the Capital
have many fountains as an adornment, but
they are peculiarly suitable to this sub
tropical climate. Every circle In the city
should really have a large, beautiful foun.
tain, not only from an artistic standpoint
but for the comfort Of the Inhabitants A
fountain is rest to mind and body.
Handsome iron fountains Of proper size
for city use could be had for from $500 W.,
or say $1,000 apiece erected in place.
There should also be at least one SUI
perb electric fountain in Washington which
no
suitable site for II would be the centre Of
the flushing reservoir west Of the Monu-
ment on the middle line OF Seventeenth
Street 1t would cost from SIS, 600 to $40.-
OO0."
Under Colone; Bingham's direction the
lawns in public parks over the city have
been thrown open to visitors, and the
keep on the grass" signs are no longer
in sight. He has authority also to main
tain a playground where heavier outdoor
games may he played. Touching that the
report says: .,....s..5-
ITO protect the Improved grounds as far
ac pv.sible. and to prevent serious annoy
ance to those enjoying the beauty Of The
park, the playground was transferred IN
the autumn OF 1888 to the site between b
Street and the main drive north Of the
Monument. This plot OF ground Covers
an area of about eight acres, and is occu-
pied nearly all the time by men and boys
playing football and baseball
By the act OF Congress approved Mar.,
=. 1895, the officer in charge of public
buildings and grounds was directed to Gu
ohnrize the use of portion Of the grounds
within the ellipse south Of the Executive
Mansion for children's playground, under
regulations to be prescribed by him.
Notice was given through the public
press that children applying would be au-
thorized to play lawn tennis, croquet.
cricket. and kindred games. The only re-
Quirements were that the children should
be recommended by reputable citizen.
and would agree 10 exercise the common
rules Of courtesy which would govern them
In private park.
But two requests were received for this
privilege. Both were promptly granted hut
In neither instance was advantage taken of
the permit.
Several applications from young men TO
play football and baseball in the resrrva-
lion ware received. but II was 7ot bell ,sed
That 1t was intended under the law that the
lawns OF the ellipse or other parks should |
be used for t.ese purposes"
Area of the Parks.
The report shows that park spaces ag- |
yregating 1921 acres are under the con-
rol of the Commissioners. OF them 1os |
lots. containing 1853 acres, are highly i'm |
'royed; 50, with an extent Of q acres, are |
artially improved, end 143, of er average |
ize Of quarter acre, are nnimproved. |
mat makes 302 plots, with total area OF |
07.2l acres.
The white House Grounds.
In discussing the White House Grounds,
he Commissioner says:
These grounds are kept up as well rs |
ny in Washington, but they are used to
considerable extent during a year by the |
,ublic, and while not In any sense sub
ect to vandalism, are by no means as |
beautiful as less use and more money
rould make them.
"A perfect grass lawn, for instance, is /
ne Of the most delicate fabrics in the i
forld. Il must have soil, fertilizers. and
eed. wedding. rolling. cutting. and water
ng. and should rarely be walked over
kusty shoes carry weed germs). Hence
really velvety lawn is rare, and it is
asy to see how exper sive perfecl condi-
lon of park grounds must be.
1.-THE work Of this department has now
cached a point where the need of suit
Bile palm house is imperative. Congress
rovided the means last year for the store
ouse. which was absolutely essential. but
a the work Of the office 1t is necessary to
eep on hand considerable supply Of
aims Of various kinds which are used
OF only for outdoor decorations during the
ummer, burt during tie winter season,
hen they would ordinarily be housed,
hey are utilized very successfully in the
Of the Executive Mansion on
mcial occasions. AS the improvement OF
he parks in Washington progresses the
lumber Of plants and flowers which arc
for their ornamenfation an