The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-01
Weeds IN TIE City PARKS
Dupont Circle a fragrant Example
of Unfair Neglect.
1t Presents No FIattcrins Compare
son with other Government Res
ervations of the National Capital.
More Like Il Jungle Than n Gar
den In National Metropolis.

The native Of Washington rcjoices in
the numerous and beautiful squares or
parks Of the city. and their general con-
dition of neat and verGant beauty at this
season of the year iustiaes his pride.
When. however. one Of theze ornaments Of
the Capital City streets is left neglected,
presenting in place Of velvety lawn and
tTim-kept flower bed tall. rank grass. in
terspersed with weeds. while its trees and
flowers are left uncut and uncared for. 1t
a5Suredly seems that a oubiic duty has
been overlooked By some one, and that
property owners and citizens have right
to lift Up their voices against such official
caIIcusEsss to the city's most beautiful and
attractive feature.
When such park is situated in one OF
the hsndsoIHest residential quarters as Is
Dupont Circle the wonder at this neglect
is tho more intensified. although the tax
payer In any portion of Washington feels
himself justly entitled to the full measure
OF public adornrnent which may hays been
lives.
Depone Circle appears almost to stand
Alons among our many beautiful parks In
the manner in which il il kspt, or rather
neglected. A short distance southeast of
the circle, On Connecticut AYenue. Ia Far
rsgut Square. a perfect eye-feast in the
besuty of ITS flower beds. set, Ike out
jewels, In i smooth exparse OF emerslt
gresu. whi.s its bushes AID trees symaet-
really trimmed, enhance its regularity
and elegance. Let the spectator coctrast
th:s park with Dupont Circle
Hers tbs tangled growth Of gr1ss ard
weeds. especially cn>the mound upon which
ssancs The statue OF Admiral Dupont, re-
sarab.es what ono would e1pect To meet
with In Jungle rather tsaa in ore Il the
city's parks. while urderrsath the trees,
which appear rot to have been ut fr
years. are patches CT earth uttory devsid
c. any growth whatever. ard certainly not
enhancing the general Appearance OF the
whole.
Tie cracked condition OF the asphalt adds
TO this palpabie air OF dcsolxtlon and ne
sisct. and standing at zny portion OF the
circle. and loohiE. down any OF the splen-
ai,. avenres ard Streets watch hers inter
scct. the contrast becve-n thsir beauty md
the patch OF tangled unG3e: growth which
h15 here taken the place OF a public park
becomes most striking.
tbs reporter upon investigating the rea-
son for this notable departure from the
methoss BIZ which the public reservations
generally are kept in Washington. inter
viewed Col. Theoiors Bingham. under
whose immediate supervision as Superin-
teadent of Public Buildings and Grounds.
the matter would come.
Colonel Bingham did not criticise on this
occasion. the limitations imposed upon tns
small amount OF appropriation allowed for
the care of parks. trees. shrubs. etc, In
tho city although ne is understood to have
said at ons time. that the sum dispensed
by the Government for these purposes was
rot half enough.
Hs said however. that he was now wait
ing fer the money. available July 1. for the
cutting and trimmirs OF grass, trees. etc,
md that probably upon the receipt of this
,ur:. work would be commenced on Dupont
Circle and an improvement instituted
The force employed for the care OF the
PARKS" continued Colonel Bingham.
moves from one to another, with the con-
sequence that the work which has been
frst accomplished at the beginning of the
season VII al its c;osa present a neglected
appearance. The extent to which this want
Of care will be apparent depends largely,
too upon the nature OF the soil Of the park
and the trees and shrubs which were
planted in it.
Under the r-csc-... sy-ss.ssn there is al
ways at least one reservation or park
which presents lack CT neatness. judged
by the standard of others more favored by
The attention OF the gardener The remedy
for this defect in the manner Of caring for
tt. PARKS ard reservations bas been vari-
scnabie OF these e1redicrts is to increase
the present force engaged upon the work
If trimming and caring for the trees. grass,
etc. so as to allow CT a detachment being
always available for the purpose CT i'm
proving a park which is beginning to show
sisrs OF lack CT care.
TIE question OF the amount OF money
needed for the care and adoFnment q
parks and reservations" continued Colo
nci Bingham, '-is one Of the most elastic
ard clficult ones that could well be
lsked. We might spend five. or fifty, OF fye
hundred dollars upon every acre Of the
,ubIic parks and reservations. and would
u each case, obtain result proportion
tie to the sum expended. But the ques-
lion as to whether it is advisable to
,rerd a snail or large sum upon this
latter must rest with the authorities
,iyirg that matter in charge. I. being
merely an executive oiicaf, can Only eN-
cut. the work which is allowed by the
appropriation
Ttis amounts at present TO $4,000 per
Gar. and that SUE, was said by the Park
rg Commission at enc time to be not too
,-ge for the work which came principally
:rt:er their consideration as an advisory
,oard.
The Parking Commission appointed orig
rally by Governor Shepherd, AID since re-
ained in their positions by the General
have long AID yainly urged a
,rg.r appropriation for the proper care of
r-es. parks reservations. exc At present.
I is said. tie ad.Gults accomplishment Of
ny ono OF the duties OF the oIice of Su-
Of Public Buildings and
Grounds leaves at least one Of these neg
ected or inGiferently done.
ScId rt Last.
(From Clssell's Magazfne.)