Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-22
A STANDING NUISANCE
THE POND NEAR THE BASE BALL
GROUNDS.
Many Have Been Drowned by Being
Caught in the Deep Mud-Au-
thorities Should Act.

at seems to me with the death by drown
ing of the colored man Turner in the pond
near the base ball grounds. while fleeing to
escape arrest last Saturday, that the Dis
trict authorities would be moved TO take
some immediate and decisive action regard
ing the abatement of that long-standing
nuisance. which is an ever-existing menace
to the lives of the boys and others who
live in the vicinity" said a well-known cit
izen to a Star reporter this morning.
1T was only few months ago that two
families in this city were plunged into grief
and mourning by the drowning of two boys
while bathing in this muddy pool. Both of
the unfortunate lads were drowned in the
same distressing manner as was Turner,
by being caught in the deep. tenacious mud
and held beneath the surface of the water.
1T will be recalled that a policeman, and
also a citizen, who attempted to rescue the
lads, narrowly escaped death, while one or
two other persons who assisted in the res
cue also had close calls. wholesale drown
ing, in fact. being narrowly averted in this
instance. Fortunately, some men procured
ropes and planks and the officer was pulled
out when almost exhausted.
But short while before this there were
several other cases of the drowning of boys
in this death hole If it is possible for Off
cial action to be taken against the owner
owners of this alleged pond it would
seem that the death of Turner should be
taken cognizance of and steps be taken to
prevent a recurrence of these accidents
Should Be Declared a Public Nuisance.
1T will be recalled that at the time of
the drowning of the two boys in question
public Indignation was such as to arouse
a sentiment that somebody should be held
responsible for the maintenance of this
alleged pond, but which, in reality Is
death hole of quick-sand-like mud of the
worst sort. No action was taken, however,
though it was suggested that II the pond
could not be filled in it ought to be fencea
in and that legal steps should be taken
against the owners or owner to this end
There can be no question that the pond
is a public nuisance. The common law
gives the people adequate protection
against a public nuisance. If there is no
statute under which the District author
tiles may proceed. why do they not act
under the common law? Who are the OWL
ers of this death trap? Must the boys OF
our families be suffocated in it's foul waters
one after another indefinitely and without
number before action is taken? Must the
son of a member of one of the houses oil
Congress or of some wealthy and proml-
nent citizen be cruelty sacrificed to start
the sluggish wheels of legal proceeding IL
abate the nuisance? That proceedings OF
some sort will be found to be necessary is
shown by the fact that despite each recur-
| ring death the owners of the pond show no
disposition to place it in such position
that no more accidents will occur in the
future.
1T is dreadful to contemplate this muddy,
| death-dealing hole in the center of thick
ly populated district, and to feel that 1t
must become much of curse to the city
as the James Creek canal before it can be
| wiped out.
| Il trust that by calling public attention
| to this foul pond in The Star. to which
| paper the residents of Washington turn to
obtain justice in local affairs, that action
will be no longer delayed 1t took years OF
agitation and the sacrifice of over score
of lives TO spur Congress to the point CT
appropriating a couple of thousand dollars
for the fencing of the James Creek canal.
but this deadly pool is one which comes
under the jurisdiction of District 9th
Gals. If they cannot act officially, or II
| their law officers cannot move in the mat
| ter, some authoritative expression is due
| our citizens.