The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-21
TUGS SPOIL THE
SKATERS SPORT
CHANEL CUT THROUGH BIG BASlH
Protest 4" the Cou.nIssIoHers-Kc
mit Roosevelt and Little Phil
Knox Discover Ice in White
House Backyard.

The devotees OF ice skating have nut q
big question up to the Commissioners in
a request filed yesterday asking me Board
to prevent destruction Of ice on the big
basin by proving tugs
For several days they have enjoyed ex-
eeIIent sport on The lakes bark b The
Monument. and had already cast longing
eyes at the Tidal Reservoir The Ice there
would have been II good condition for
skating ny Sunday. and me hopes Of the
lovers OF the sport rose high
But yesterday . small tug boat steamed
up The channel. efectuaIiy blasting their
expectations J c c Patterson. Of 5he
Interstate Commerce Commission, who
vas in the neishborhood, was filed with
wrath. and Immediately dictated the fol-
lowing letter TO Commissioner Macfar-
land:
"As we all know. Washingtons winters
are not generally cold enough TO produce
skating ice more than once Or twice dur
ing a season. and then IL usually does not
last long Skating is one Of the most
invigorating and cIeanest OF sports and
deserves all popular encourag cement.
Therefore. I desire TO protest against
the practice of tugs and other boats cut
ting channel through What is known
as the Basin. which is done several times
every winter, and beg your assistance TO
the end that such practices may be
stopped. If possible
Local skaters gathered in numbers yes
terday on one Of the Babcock lakes and
endorsed the letter sent to the Commits
sioners. other vigorous protests against
spelling the ice were given voice
The cold weather has at least been the
source OF much satisfaction TO this ele-
ment and since Tuesday some keen sport
has been enjoyed. The snow on Thurs
day threatened to spoil what little ice
remained, but yesterday in spite Of the
snow, q large crowd was out. and the
snow was removed By the same process
which gets IL OF the sidewalks
Among the most enthusiastic skaters
have been Kermit Roosevelt and Phil
Knox. the son and name sake Of the At
toruey General e Both boys were among
the first to visit the lake in the Monument
grounds, while young Roosevelt was in
deed the actual disC0TeFeT Of the ice
which htd formed on the pond below the
White House. He and young Philip, who
is only twelve years old and has been in
Washington but a month, took a brieI
trip to the lake on Tuesday after school
hours, and applied all the various tests
known TO skaters.
The result was decision to the effect
that safety and the ice could not be men
toned in the same breath. Later, after
the cold Of another night had come, they
enjoyed themselves and as both boys are
adopts at the art Of doing stunts on the
ice they caused considerable amusement
TO the onIookers-
Yesterday large crowd Of rosy checked
girls and active young men and boys
spent almost twelve hours on the pond.
Today VIII no doubt see hundreds OF
skaters in line If the ice viii only hold
out
There are more ponds and the Little
basin was said yesterday te be strong
enough for skating purposes. One more
freeze, a hardy Investigator said, woulG
see II in perfect condition.
The prospect for skating throughout the
Christmas holidays if the cold weather
continues. is an excellent one
Sf.25 to Baltimore and Return, Via
b. Il O. r. r.
Saturday and sunday, December 4 and p.