Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-14
THE CARE OF PARKINGS.
Suggestions by Citizens as to Best
Ways and Means.
he Editor of The Evening Star:

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
I was glad to notice your editorial in Sat-
urday's Star entitled THE Duty of All Good
Citizens and the call on the people of
Washington to aid in the development of
the parkings and lawns in front of houses.
l think many people forget that the park
ing space is public property, which the
citizen is permitted to use with the implied
understanding that it is to be kept in good
and attractive condition. 1 have noticed
large number of yards in the summer which
present a most neglected appearance and
are entirely uncared for. This is more gem
orally the case with large houses where
the occupants go out of town than with The
sn aller ones which are occupied all the
year around. On some of our most proni-
nent avenues the grass and weeds are per-
mitted to grow in the parking space. and
the premises present very untidy and OBJ
jectionable appearance, especially during
summer.
l have brought this matter to the atten-
ton of the authorities several times within
the last five years, but, of course, they can
d. nothing to enforce their requests unless
tn, weeds become a menace to health. NO
assessment for taxes is now made for space
used parking, but there should be pro-
vision in the law that where this public
property is not kept in good condition by
private citizens who enjoy its use they
should be assessed and charged for the use
o. it and the city should take care of it.
L nope you Will keep up tDiS SOou NOih'
as those who are in comfortable clrcum-
stances and able to go away should not
permit their premises to run to waste While
they are absent. 1t .coSts. very little to
have the grass watered and kept in good
CCrdtion. If you continue calling atten-
ton to the matter. am sure many of your
readers who neglect to do their duty in this
respect will reform and contribute their
due share to public comfort and the gen.
''pp>@'' B. H. WARNER.
The Star urges the people of Washington
to look after tier Yards and Parking and
intimates that those who do not are lack
ing in the pride that makes for good citizen
ship, but until we have better protec-
ton for our grounds fear the exhortatfon
will fall on many dull ears, that Is IL their
experience has been anything like my own.
l am very fond of fine lawn and try to
keep the little one In front of my house
neat and attractive, but it is no uncommon
thing to have it uttered with paper before
night after l have spent hours in the morn
ing cleaning 1t off and have more than
once seen men tear letters into small bits
and throw them on the lawn in passing.
There is nothing to do but pick them up
piece by piece they are too small to be
caught by the rake Twice l have spoken
to the police of it as l knew there was a
law against it, and the only reply 1 ever
received was If you will tell us who did
it we will arrest them Are we to pay for
police service and then do the work our
selves? There is law against stealing
flowers and plants, yet every summer many
yards are spoiled by the breaking down of
shrubbery and the stealing of flowers Only
this morning a bed of pansies that / had
just fixed yesterday were found to have
been half stolen. Is it any wonder that one
tires of trying when they have so little
redress? When they can feel that they will
have some protection many will gladly try
again. .. NJ. >.