Evening star., 1902-02-18
PARKS OF WASHINGTON
COMMENTS ON tal)paorosrD
An Argument for Different Course Of
Treatment in Various
Directions.
70 the Editor o, The Evening star,

Criticism may season the compliments
! profusely showered upon this artistic the
! sis. An apology for opposing a few Of its
features may therefore be acceptable.
Reflection upon purposes and history of
| such dedications Of land and funds con-
| fines their objects to use and enjoyment OF
| the public Cities need air space, grounds
| for exercise and recreation, for exhibits Of
interesting objects or scenery, or inciden-
| tally for memorials Of events or citizens.
or space for agreeable views of public
| buildings
Convenience Of park privilege In cities
Suggests numerous small areas rather: than
| large ones Private property taken for such
uses requires just compensation. 1t is
| equally true funds should be appropriated
| with strict regard to benefits conferred
| upon citizens. Cost ought TO be commen-
surate with needs served.
Endowment and use to children are i'm
portant considerations. Physique and vital
power are decreased by environments of
| brick walls and impure air or want of op-
portunity for agreeable exercise. One acre
! of public space in the suburbs, near a
| school house, is worth ten acres in the low
| lying section on the mall.
conspicuous detail needs correction
| Revise park lines so car tracks may be
| straightened City railways were unknown
| when L Enfant, under direction of Wash
| ington planned the city. Cars serving
| curves, with noise. wear on wheels and
/ rails and loss Of time and power, so bor-
| ders may be preserved or monuments of
| warriors or eminent statesmen occupy
points on lines where engineers would To-
| cate car tracks. VIII not Gen. Thomas
or Admiral Dupont or Presidents Garfield
| and Lincoln or the immortal Washington
| be equally honored with their statues not
| situated so to necessitate noise. delay.
or danger to passengers on city car lines?
The Original District.
The most beautiful public space around
shington-Arlingto little men,
ton. Restoring the original District, ten
| miles square, SO important in relation to
| parks. is disregarded. The writer believes
Congress in 1916 had no power to divest
the federal government of jurisdiction over
Alexandria county The District of Column
bia was established under explicit terms Of
the Constitution. The southern states in
81 withdrew from the Union. when there
was no provision as to withdrawal and
| powers not expressed were reserved to the
| states or to the people. Trifing with the
| Constitution in '46 may have pointed to the
| diSeaster of 81. Until the Constitution is
| amended Alexandria county is part of the
! District Of Columbia, de jure, if not de
| facto.
Triftes make perfection. Visitors and
| boys see. conspicuously, Keep off this
grass" hands off; = mo trespassing under
penalty of law emphasized perhaps with
barricades and guards. This is not hospita
BILE or necessary. Where do we find such
signs as "All are welcome to walk in this
park, Children are invited to play on
these grounds"
Eliminate costly details, hero worship and
grandeur. parks may be chosen with re-
gard for public utility. Provide numerous
parks to be enjoyed, not fenced or guarded
like treasury vaults.
Unused corners of land. at street ends.
adjoining rivers and county roads may be
transformed into gems of beauty at slight
expense. Along county highways are thick
cts and untrimmed trees. choice spots for
refuse or crime. This deserves attention
from a comprehensive report.
Sanitary conditions of available areas
may be undesirable rendering drainage and
comparative freedom frnrn trees essential.
High land, If near residence sections, is
preferable.
Cleanliness and beauty are usually COM
panions Authority should be given the
city authorities to lease vacant lots in the
District for temporary park purposes or
play grounds for children. Thus. insani-
tary, weed-covered ground may become
useful and beautiful.
DETACHMENT Of parks. streets and roads
VIII ne reduced by restricting hillboards
erected on vacant lots in public view. The
right to display for hire advertisements on
vacant ground in view of public streets.
such as pictures, sentiments or objects OBJ
JectlOnable to many of the people chill
dren of community, is not founded in
principles Of law. intoxicants are adver-
tlSed IN such pubic places. Yet lntem-
perance in use of the best liquor is an
evil. and use of the authorizations often
sold is rapid transit to iails asylums.
Cigarette posters invite boys to become
dWarfs. Variety theater posters often point
to degradation. Beautifying waste land
and removing defacing sfgnboards will in
crease the popularity Of Washington more
than elaborate landscapes or marble orna-
mentS
Unique in beauty and simplicity the
marble shaft of the Washington monI-
ment needs no pedestal Of sculptured walls
or granite terraces.
Trees, shrubbery, Driveways, Walks.
On account of diminutive shrubs and low
trimmed trees, the unattractive fashion in
Washington, 1t is not surprising that wo-
men and children are timd in large parks.
The foot walks and driveways are like wall
paper scrolls. This winding road and path
fashion is carried to such an extent that
pedestrians lose time and patience. Per-
maps there Is a preference for low growing
vegetation, as it affords locations 10 deploy
sk1rmlshers or sharpshooters or other
military maneuvers. Curved paths are not
objectionable for leisure stroll, bat de-
tract from use and beauty
year or more ago, 1t will be remem-
bered, sentries stationed at the gates of
TINS beautiful park forbade Its to the
nelshhorlns people Of South Washington
Ihere is little public space in the vicinity
EnJoyed Tor nearly century an order of
l hn xNffI