The Washington times., 1903-07-11
PRESIDENT THE FRIEND
OF OUTDOOR EXERCISE
Replies to Report of Public Play
grounds Committee.

for children and youths In various por-
lions OF the National Capital The
Presidents letter is written in response
TO report Of the work already accom-
plished by the Public Playground Com
mittee recently formed in Washington
with Cuno II. Rudolph as chairman.
The President was informed that three
public Fairgrounds have been opened In
Washington through the efforts OF a
group of interested citizens and the
private contribution OF a small sum OF
money. AS a result. those who are
laboring for the advancement OF the
movement in Washington were eneour-
aged BY receiving yesterday the follow
ing letter:
Letter From President.
Oyster Bay. y. Y, July G. 1903.
Charles F. Weller. general secretary
the Associated Charities. S11 Street
northwest, Washington, D. c.
My Dear Mr. Weller: am delighted
to hear that you have succeeded In es-
tablishing certain Fairgrounds In Wash
ingtcn. II would be a national misfortune
IL the Capital City were developed with
out proper attention being given to the
well-being OF those o; its citizens least
able TO protect themselves. 1 congratu-
late you upon the good work of your
association. and earnestly wish thar
you may receive such support as Will
enable you TO continue it,"
President Interested.
In December. 1902. Col Theodore
Bingham introduced Mr.. Weller TO Prest-
dent Roosevelt. at the Iatter's sugges-
ton. The President had said in his LAST
message 10 Congress that the National
Capital ought TO be made a model city
In so far as social conditions and modern
social service are concerned. After talk
ing with Mr.. Weller concerning existing
conditions in Washington and the public
improvements needed. the President ex-
pressed his special interest in three par
ticular means of effort and his cordial
desire to assist in promoting them
These three matters were:
First = Condemnation Of unsanitary
dwellings unfit for human habitation.
Second-Gradual conversion OF hidden
interior alleys into minor streets. TO 5e
opened up straight through the resident
blocks.
Third - Development Of public play
grounds In several portions of the city.
In the first and third of these means
OF social effort the President had been
especially active while he was SERVING
as police commissioner in New York
city and as governor OF the State of New
York The Presidents friend, Jacob A
Riis. had been particularly active in the
development OF public Fairgrounds il
New York II was this work, together
with Mr.. Riis' interests in the improve.
ment of housing conditions. which LED
the President 10 speak of him as "tht
most useful citizen in New York city
Thus the President had learned from
experience the value OF public play.
grounds. and only waited the proper
opportunity TO speak a public word il
their behalf in Washington.
Appeals Sent Out.
Cuno II. Rudolph. chairman OF tia
committee. has been sending out ap.
peals lately. He says that the small
sum which was raised privately to star
these three Fairgrounds has now DeeI
exhausted. More apparatus is urgentl.
needed. Even that which is already il
action cannot be maintained withou
some expense. The committee Is there
fore anxious to receive contribution
from all who are interested in this new
beneficent public movement Thus IA
the following sums have been obtained
An Anonymous Friend. $500: Natal
S. B. FoTsythe. So; Henry B. F. Mac
farland. So; Miss A. c. Koerper. 81; job,
w. Douglass. So; Cuno H. Rudolph. 81
Lyman l. Pierce. IS: DR.. w C Wood
ward. So: A Friend. S12: Charles F. Mes
bit, S.; John B. SIeman. jr.. So; ].
Henderson, $40: NJ. NJ shand. 80; @. W
Grafton. 50; B. H. Warner. $40; S. Kanr
Sons & Co. $40; w Riley Decide. 50
George w. Swartzell. So, Neighborhoo
House Playground Fund. 1887; W. +
Rapley, IS; W. T. Galliher & Bros, g
James E. Fitch. SO: E. Berliner. SIC
T. w. Smith. IS; Barber & Ross. 81
Total. :357.57.
The Chesapeake and Potomac Tele
phoe Company has contributed 10 tn
play at FATSl ana NJ street
southwest a telephone pole which N
company is to place in position for US
in constructing a strong giant stride
or merry go-round." Rudolph & Yves
have given frequent donations of hare
ware to all three Fairgrounds. Majc
r. d. Simms obtained several loads
fine sand for the childrens sand-bo:
Lucy VI. Solger sent = patent swing
the negro playground at First and
Streets southwest.
Space for Fairgrounds.
A large space containing uoout 6o.ot
square feet and located at New Yor
Avenue, First and y Streets northwes
has been offered to Major Sylvester
Captain Allison Mailer. Vt. ror use as
public play ground Chairman RUDOLF
reports that this ground has bee
cleared up and made -1=ey 7or appart
tus. II the playground committee ca
secure sufficient money 20 do So
would like to assist in providir
swings. travelling rings. see-saws. saI
box. and other athletic equipment (,
this fourth playground space