Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-19
USE OF THE WHITE LOT
CONSENT OF CONGRESS WILL
HAVE TO BE OBTAINED.
Many Requests for the Occupation Of
Government handicapped
Transportation Display.

1t has been reported that the interna-
tional congress of railroad men, winch VIII
meet in Washington next May, will ASK
Congress to pass resolution authorizing
the use of the White Lot for the display
of railroad equipments and supplies Inc
best things that have been shown at st
Louis pertaining to the railroads will be
brought here # Congress grants this per-
mission, and an exhibition maintained IN
connection with the sessions. The Treas
ury Department could not grant this per-
mission, but Congress may do so, If it sees
fit. The grounds further to the south, near
the monument, have been occasionally oc-
cupied by organizations for tenting pur-
poses, notably the knights of Pythias, the
Grand Army and the Christian Endeavor-
erS. The White Lot has been guarded
much more carefully of late years, chiefly
because of it's beauty as a lawn.
Many Requests.
1--WE are getting letters all the time ask
ing for the use of building sites which the
government has as yet not improved AND
other public property said Mr.. H. A Tay-
lor. assistant secretary of the treasury, who
is in charge of this part of Uncle SANS
possessions, today, in discussing an In
tended reques. of the international con-
gress of railroad men, land 1t is often very
embarrassing to decline to grant these re-
quests, from excellent people and worthy
organizations with such uniformity as we
do. 1t happens frequently that the govern
ment owns more land than it is immedi-
ately using; perhaps it has lot for which
Congress has provided no building, or at
least has authorized no work on it's con-
struction. Should we accommodate private
interests with these lots. Two things make
the privilege of getting the use of Uncle
Sans property highly attractive: 1t is cen
trally located and its owner expects no
rent. There is a prevalent feeling that
what belongs to the government belongs
to everybody.
"As a result religious and charitable and
philanthropic organizations fraternities and
secret societies, oranges and labor unions,
sons of veterans and Christian Endeavorers
are constantly asking that they may be per-
mitted to have gatherings on public grounds
in various places, or make other temporary
use of them.
Uniform Policy to Refuse.
1--WE have found it necessary to adopt a
uniform policy to avoid discrimination, for
If the privilege is granted to one interest
others claiming the precedent, would ex-
tend its operations, each a little over the
one before it, until finally side shows for
circuses would expect to be accommo da ted
We do not allow the posting of bills or
notices on public grounds, or the sale of
confectionery, fruits or cigars in public
buildings. because to grant such privilege
to one would be to discriminate against
another in the same line of business on the
outside. Occasionally in the face of great
calamitleS, We relax this rule somewhat
Where local court house Is destroyed by
ire We often allow the use Of the United
States court room, where it could be done
consistently, after consulting the United
states judge and other representa- ives of
the FEDERAL government on the ground. Yes
terday we decided to grant somewhat pc
cullar request IN Wheeling, w. Va, at the
instance of both republican and democratic
committees. We could not have granted
1t to either alone with propriety, and per-
maps ought not to have granted 1t to both
or them 1t seems that they have bought
tent for political purposes in common, on
account of the lack of a suitable hall at
this time, and it developed that about the
only available place on which to erect it
for political meetings would be in vacant
lot, which the government happens to own.
we nave also made exceptions in favor of
the Grand Army, but in the main we adhere
strictly to our rules