Evening star., 1901-07-30
Rules Are Necessary to Protect the
Government
pERhlssI@> TO PHOTOGRAPH
Colonel Blham's Experience If
Nearly Seyen Years.
FORMS OF PERMIT GIVEN


ceived at The Star office. some Of which
have been published. complaining Of the
Interference of pa<k policemen with those
who attempted photographing in the public
parks OF this city. In order to ascertain
X any unnecessary rigor was used In the
carrying out OF their orders by the police
men Star reporter today made inquiry Of
the proper officials upon the subject.
The officers Of. the government charged
with the care and Improvement of the pub
lie parks and reservations Of the District
indicated very Clearly that they did not
think the regulations governing the parks
required any special explanation or de-
Tense. One of them. speaking for the others.
said that those rules were designed solely
for the protection of the parks, and their
strict enforcement was considered neces-
sary In the interests of the government.
He said he could not see where the rule
prohibiting the indiscriminate use of the
parks by photographers was hardship on
any one or where 1t operated in the inter-
ests or professionals against amateurs. as
mas been charged in the public prints. The
present rule on the subject has been In
operation for about ten years. and It's con-
tinued enforcement is considered necessary
for the best interests Of the people OF the
country at large having an interest and a
pride In the appearance of the public
grounds OF the national capital.
The rule originated during the admins
tration OF General Wilson, as cOmmissi oner
OF public buildings and grounds. and has
been adopted by Colonel Bingham. the in
cumbent of that Office. 1t is very simple
In its term. and is applied impartially.
Photographers Must Secure Permit.
1t merely requires that photographers
using tripods or other stands for photo
graphing apparatus shall secure a permit
from the Office of public buildings and
grounds before attempting to take views in
the public parks. There is no trouble what
ever about securing these permits, and
they are granted without question to any
reputable applicant These permits run for
thirty days. but win be extended for fur
ther periods upon application.
Col Bingham said today that he did not
kind had been denied. and he added that
1t was the disposition Of the office to ex
tend every proper courtesy and facility to
photographers nthise matter. He said that
kodaks or other hapd cameras. and no one
had ever been iftsffered with for using
such apparatas fnuthe public parks A
distinction was made against the tripod
instruments, because of the fact that they
are usually placed on the ground and at
tract curious people to the lawns to the
frequent injury Of the grass and shrub
berry. The IDEA ofss requiring permits in
SuCn cases IS merely IN OrQ6r tnat the
practice may be regulated by the officer
in charge and kept within reasonable
bounds. .B
Col. BinghaH's Experience.
Col. Binghana said that his experience Of
nearly seven years showed that there were
between 10000 and 5000 excursionists in
Washington every month, and as a ma
jority Of them spent considerable time in
the public parks itreQuired much attention
to keep the parks in good condition. Many
people make q pfactice OF picnfcking in the
pa rks and throwing the remnants Of their
iuncheonss into the grass and flower beds.
Men were kept busy In removing empty
bottles and greasy bags and papers from
the lawns It was labor OF considerable
magnitude to keep the parks In their pres
ent tidy condition and the officials In
charge think their efforts in that direction
should be commended instead Of being per-
sistently criticised by people who are not
allowed to do as. they please in the public
grounds.
Form Of General Permit.
The following is the form Of general per-
init which is good In any Of the public
parks or reservations. with the single ex-
ception of the grounds Of the Executive
Mansion:
Office of Public Buildings and Grounds
War Department.
Washington. D. c., -....-...., 100
Mr.. r....,....-....... has permission to
take Photographic views in the public
grounds. -.ff
Colonel, US. Army.
This permit expires at pm. .......... 100
In the White House Grounds.
The taking of Photographic views in the
White House grounds is not prohibited. but
requires a special permit made out in the
following form:
Office of Public Buildings and Grounds,
War Department.
Washington, D. c., 1899.
Mr. has permission
to take Photographic views in the north
grounds of the Executive Mansion.
Colonel. U. 8. Army.
This permit expires at & pm. 1899.