The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-15
WHITE CHILDREN ONLY.
NO Others to Be Admitted to New
West Side Park.

A. park for white children only Is
the ofrer to be made by the clubwo-
men of Topeka and especially the
Rambler's club to the city council
next Monday evening.
The deed which is drawn up to be
submitted to the council specifies par
tioularly that only white children
may enjoy the benefits of the flowers,
the shrubbery and the delightful
shade which is given by the wealth OF
OF trees that dot the park. The To-
cation is at Sixth and Washburn
avenues and contains in all five acres.
A small creek runs through the
grounds and the whole is particularly
rich in opportunities for the sknlful
landscape architect.
To allay the storm of protest that
would come up from the colored pop
ulation Of Topeka it is planned to
give another park which will be set
aside for the children of that race.
DR.. Eva Harding Of the Rambler's
club and who is also member of
the board of park commissioners of
the city stated that the cfubwomen
were now searching for a suitable To-
cation for the second park and that
a deed would be soon forthcoming
to the city.
The councilmen are f1dgeting IN
easily about in their seats in antici-
patton of clash of the races at the
council meeting next Monday. When
the offer of the park was preached to
Mayor VIM Green he was doubtful
of the legality of any such arrange
ment. THE colored people pay taxes
just as the white people do and :
don't believe that we could take over
a park and say to certain of the peo-
pie you can't use this park" said he.
I'VE assess taxes against property
owners of Topeka to keep up these
parks and we can't discriminate
against any one in their use' How
ever, If the club arranges for anoth-
er park for the colored children alone,
the mayor believes that these objec-
lions may be overcome.
I'VE are going to try it," said DIR.
Harding when asked If she would in
sist in the gift to the city that the
provisions relative to the color of the
children be embodied IN the deed.
81 don't believe that white children
and colored children can get along
very well together said she. ST have
q theory that 1t is great deal better
for both races to have the children
play apart. Besides the park is To-
Gated where It is not likely that 1t
would draw heavily from the colored
race so that it won't be any great in
Justice to them. We are now look
Ing for q site for a park which we ex-
pect to give to the sole use of the COL
ored children.
1.-THE only other provision which at
taches to the gift is that none of the
trees shall be cut When 1 first went
to an attorney to have the deed con-
veying the park to the city drawn up
he raised up his hands in protest and
said that nothing like that had ever
been done before and was unheard of,
but finally he fixed 1t up.
1.-THE club women have had this
gift in view for long time, but onry
recently got 1t in shape where they
could make the deed. It is a SPLEEN
did location for a children's park
There are plenty of trees, nice grass
and we want to have q whole lot of
flowers planted. some Of the old fash
toned kind. We want to let the lit
tie ones pick the flowers If they care
to. Then there are sand piles and
benches and swings to be fixed up.
We want it to be regular outdoor
playground for the children"