The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-25
RIGHTS OF FHECAMBRAMAN
No Rule TO Prevent the Photograph
ing Of Public Buildings

The Report That Two LoenI Firms
Have Exclusive Picture-TakinE
Privileges Denied-Permits Neces-
snry when Tripods Are Used
Recent acts Of certain policemen in
preventing amateur photographers from
making pictures Of public buildings and
statues IN Washington have given cur
Ieacy to q number OF rImors in regard 10
alleged limitations of the privileges Of
the man with the kodak in this city
one story IN circulation is to the eeffct
that some official or officials have issued
orders that all persons. save two Wash
ington photographers. be not allowed TO
make pictures Of public buildings or stat
uary. and more than one innocent camera
fiend has been stopped just when about
TO open the lens upon the Capitol. the
State War and Navy Building, or some
other structure of interest. Rumor has
II that authority to take such photo
graphs has been given exclusively to two
local photographic firms and that these
have d monopoly in the business That
such situation actually exists IS siren
Uously denied by the authorities. who de
clare that no policeman or other officer
has the right to prevent anyone from
photogrs,phing any public building or pup
lie resort OF statue or monument IA the
District There Is a requirement, however,
that when tripods are used in the public
grounds. permits 10 use them must pe Oh
tanned from the office of the Sup~rintend-
eut of Public Grounds and Buildings
That is all: OF at least it seems so
Yet. Representative Rucker of Missou-
ii thinks he has a positive case in which
enc Of his constituents was denied the
right to photograph a monument and
saws he proposes that an Investigation OF
the matter shall be had.
About a week ago says Mr. Rucker,
"a constituent of mine employed IN the
Census once was showing some friends
from his home around the city II was
perfect day and my constituent took Win
him his camera In front OF one OF Ihe
parks in the centre Of when was STATUE,
h.. grouped his friends for the purpose OF
-,l.Sre +bair njct1lre- Just as he had eY-
frvthing in readiness policeman came
.,r and said. Stop, you can't photograph
,bat statue OF course my young friend
did not take the picture OF his compan-
ions. Not knowing what the trouble was l
I s:tuuter over and asked the policeman
who was most courteous in his manner
,FI,,. he mad stopped the young man from
taking photograph His rpely was thaI
h. had rigid instructions to prohibit any
one from phOtORrapnlHB puDiLC Do44N-'--f70
or The statues in the parks
He also said he understood that ohlS
two men had the privilege OF photo
graphing the public buildings and statues
in The city. Ia III
Now. if this IS correct, I would like
=, know how il comes that two photogra-
Yhers haze obtained monopoly Of the
right TO photograph the Government
buildings and statues in the parks Crti-
zeDs of the different States VINO pay one
half of the taxes of the District OF 60
l,Imbia. and who come here on Nlsll'
frso,,en-Iy- bring their cameras with them
for the purpose OF taking pictures, ailo'
"a nrob5hit them from photographing the
Government buildings and statues IS an
abridgment of their rights 1t should
be looked into. When Congress meets
next December I shall introduce in the
House a resolution of enquiry. calling on
the District Commissioners to inform the
House what. if any. law exists that pro-
bibits visitors from other cities from TAX
ing snapshots Of the public buildings and
statues
I am opposed TO monopolies. and un-
less my constituent was imposed upon II
would seem that one OF more Washington
photographers have the exclusive prIVI-
lege Of making these pictures Of which
thousands are bought by visitors 10 De
taken home as mementos OF the Ma
An enquiry at Police Headquarters fail
ed to reveal the existence OF any regu-
lations or orders governing the phOtogra-
ply Of public Buildings or statues MAJOR
Sylvester. the Chief OF Police OF the Dis
trict, denies eTnpha ticaiiS- S.aat lnstruc-
tons have been issued TO the members
Of his department TO prevent the camera
fiend from pursuing the even tenor OF ms
way and taking just as many snapshots
as he desires TO- Major Sylvester added
however, that the province OF the munleI-
pal force does not extend TO public build
ings and grounds, which are entirely
controlled 10y officers Of the Government
Colonel Bingham. Superintendent OF
Public Buildings and Grounds. when ask
ed about the matter said that there was
regulation in force as to the public
grounds under his jurisdiction. which pre-
vents photographers from making a pub
lie nuisance Of themselves. Park police
Elen are directed TO prevent the setting
up Of photographers tripods. either on tbs
lawns or on the rOadways, in public
grounds. The regulation is not aimed
Colonel Bingham added. At the rights o.
the individual 10 take photographs Wher
ever and whenever he pieases- The ides
Is. he says. TO prevent photographers o
all classes from ODStTucting the high va IS
and from destroying. public property
There Is no provision against anyon'
carrying cameras into public grounds ant
making pictures, declared Colonel BinS
ham and there IS no interference witt
those who take photographs with am
other than tripod camera. Kodak hend
may snapshot 10 their hearts content
PROVIDED IlltF 90 not step TOO lar on IN
grass or render themselves obnoxious il
other ways Those desiring 70 use a tri
pod camera in taking pictures OF public
Buildings or monuments are at liberty L
apply 10 the office for permits" COlone
Bingham states that there is not an in
stance Within his recollection when a per
nit was refused. The rule requiring per
Isllts, he states. serve to prevent the pub
lie grounds from being Overrun. ant
greatly damaged by the amateur phOtog
TapheTS. In regard 10 the claim that spe
ci2l privileges have been granted to on
or two Individuals 10 control the photo
graphic output Of pictures Of public build
inSS and monuments, Colonel Bingham
said il Is sheer nonsense. and utterly
without foundation
IL appears that any person desiring [,
take photographs OF public buildings 0
public monuments is At liberty to do 50
u Q tripod IS part of the camera para
phernalia. permit is necessary. and ca
be- had for the asking II the tripod doe
not enter into the outfit no further leav
or license IS necessary.