Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-20
PUBLIC PLAY GROUNDS
LEGISLATION URGED IN BEHALF
OF MODERN SYSTEM.
Committee Meeting Held-Two Sets
Of Resolutions Adopted-Referred
to the Commissioners.

Legislation In behalf of modern system
of public Fairgrounds. with a commodious
and well-equipped building, for this city,
was outlined at meeting of the committee
on public Fairgrounds of the District of
Columbia late yesterday afternoon at the
headquarters of the committee, 926 F street.
Alternate sets of resolutions-one providing
for the purchase of land for playground
purposes and the other for the acquisition
of land and the erection of building-were
adopted. Each will be presented to the
District Commissioners for their considera-
ton and recommendation. The Commits
sioners will be asked to select one plan or
the other and to bring the one chosen be-
fore Congress- either as a separate measure
or as a part of the annual appropriation
bill of the District of Columbia.
The meeting was presided over by Mr. f.
G.. Coldren and the following members were
Henry S. Curtis. Charles F. Weller, a. U.
Craig, Wallace Hatch NJ. l. Weller, Mrs.
S. c. Fernandes. Miss Elizabeth Brown,
Mrs. Giles Rafter Mr.. Shaw and Mr.. Ar
thur kellogg, the latter of New York. 1t
was explained by Mr.. Curtis that the meet
ing had been called to consider certain
recommendations which II had been thought
wise to make to the District Commissioners.
He pointed out that now drawn, the
section relating to the public Fairgrounds
in the annual appropriation bill of the Dis
trict makes no provision for the use OF
money for salaries. He also suggested that
the annual appropriation of $4,000 was IN
sufficient and should be increased to $4,000.
After discussion the two sets of resolu-
tons referred to We're adopted. Inc hfst
provides that the District Commissioners
be authorized to purchase, in their discre-
ton, suitable plot or plots OF ground for
public playground purposes. at a total cost
of not more than SS300. The second stfp-
ulates that the Commissioners be author
t1n4 tT,~,N hos in, hAir
OF ground adjacent to reservation l26 the
intersection of Virginia and Georgia ave
nues southeast to erect thereon build
ing. to be used in connection with the pub
lie Fairgrounds.
Building Thoroughly Equipped.
1t is further specified that the building be
thoroughly equipped and divided into
apartments for a public gymnasium,
public bath storage room for play
ground supplies. a public library and an
auditorium for lectures, social gatherings
and meetings of an undenominational and
non-partisan character The total price
of this purchase. It is provided, is not to
exceed 5000. y section for annual
appropriations OF $1,000 for the equip
ment maintenance and supervision OF
Fairgrounds, to be Immediately available"
is part of both resolutions.
Mr. Curtis explained that New York and
other large cities have model buildings in
connection Win lIie pubilC pldySfOuIiuS
Having the style of the New York build
ings of that character in view, he sug-
gested that the one proposed for this city
should be- If possible, 100 feet square and
three stories high. The lower floor, he
thought, should contain a branch of the
public library, the second floor the lecture
room ard the third floor the gymnasium.
Mr.. NJ. F. Weller suggested that the COM
mittee should keep an eye on the present
Pennsylvania railroad station in this city
as a possible acquisition to be used in con-
nection with the public Fairgrounds. lie
thought that an application by the COM
mittee for the building when it is turned
over to the government by the railroad
company might be favorably received If
presented before any other disposition or
the property had been decided upon. This
suggestion created some enthusiasm, and
a committee was appointed TO look into
the matter.
The plan of keeping the Fairgrounds
open all the year round, instead OF limit
ing their availability TO the warmer sea-
sons was discussed and favorably com
mented upon. 1t was suggested that the
grounds should be kept open throughout
the year until 10 o'clock at night.