The Minneapolis journal., 1902-03-12
MUSIC in The PARKS.
The Idea Heartily Indorsed by Sew
eral Public Men.
BRING MUSIC TO THE PEOPLE
The Plan Would POpularize the
Parks and Exert Refining
Inauence.

To him who in the love of nature holds
the beautiful parks of Minneapolis in lov-
ing remembrance, the idea Of endOwing
them with music has peculiar appropri-
ateness. Anything that will make the
parks more attractive to the masses is
to be encouraged, and music, with its re-
fining influence, the greatest attraction
that could be added. &
This is the view held by many men and
women who have considered the sugges-
tion of music in the parks. DR.. w. w.
Folwell, president of the park board, is
highly pleased with the idea, and deeply
regrets the inability of the board to stand
sponsor for the entire proposition, owing
to it's lack of. funds. However, 1t is not
to call on park board for any considerable
appropriation. c. "A. Quist, who first
broached the scheme, believes that the
plan will meet with such popular favor
that the necessary funds will be forth
coming when asked for. Mr.. Quist has
had some experience In raising funds for
public purposes and talked wit b many in
regard to the feasibility OF the plan.
A Refining Idea. ~
'It is something have long wanted to
see,' said DR.. Folwell to-day. $50 far
as the board is concerned, we have been
so poor that we could not even think of
lts IL Wo uau Cu0 uOuGy, WOulu llh6
to see band sufficiently, large to make
good music, alternating nightly in the va
rious parks, such as iMinnehaha, Farview,
Riverside. Murphy, Window, Van Cleve,
and others. The university campus, which
is pretty fine park in itself, would be
a grand place for band to play evenings.
The idea is healthy, refining one.
There are few occasions in life where
music cannot be employed effectively 1t
fn OF n %, n
has melancholy sweetness at funerals.
In public parks, where the people go for
rest and recreation, what more delightful
than good music to charm ones senses
and make one forget the cares of the day
! We can scarcely get too much good music.
It has an elevating, ennobling tendency.
AS Emerson says, The more piano the less
WOLF in our civilization"
| Harry W. Jones is also heartily in fay-
| or OF the plan so far as it proves practi-
cal. The financial end of the problem
| hrst appeals to Mr. Jones, as to most
others, but he is unreservedly in favor
of having music in the parks if there lis
| any way to get it.
I am in favor of anything that will
| make our parks more attractive,'', SAID
Mr.: Jones. They are primarily breath
| ing places rather than for amusement
although they are becoming more and
| more popular for athletic exercises.
| nope soon to see reservations made fol
| athletic grounds in several Of our un-
developed park tracts. i have in mind
the low tract of about thirty acres ly-
ing this side of Lake Harriet which
could be utilized for athletic purposes
also beautiful 50-acre tract below the
Washington avenue bridge where the
lighthouses were built last year. On this
| east river bank park, when the new lock
and dam Is completed, a placid lake suit
able tor boating, can be made an i'm
| portant adjunct. The time will doubtless
come, too, when the temporary bathhouses
| will be replaced with permanent struc-
| lures. There can be no question of the
| great benefits to be derived from gooG
music in our parks
Mayor Ames Likes 1t.
I Mayor Ames is heartily in favor of mu-
sic for the people in the parks and is will
ing to help the plan in every way within
| his power.
.'We have fine parks he said to- day
'sand we should make them as attractive
and useful as possible. They belong tx
the people--the common people-and ! an
for any plan that will increase the use.
fulness of the public property to the peo
pie. There are many things to be sait
In favor of music in the parks but what
| ever plan is undertaken I shall insist or
| one thing SO far as my voice counts fol
anything; that is that every cent taken il
! is to go for the benefit of the people
| The plan. must be handled by high -clas!
| men who will regard the funds in thei
| keeping as a sacred trust and account
for every cent. When the time comes
shall be glad to cooperate actively il
helping the plan along"