The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-03-21
CITY, OFFENDER
AGAINST SCENIC
BEAUTY OF CITY
Pofessor David w. Dennis
Points Out Shameless Mis-
treatment of the West Bank
OF Whitewater River.
CITY SHOULD ACT AND
NOT DELAY MATTER.
Unsanitary Features OF the
Banks Present Condition Is
Pointed Out and an Urgent
Appeal Is Registered.

In an address before the West Rich
mond Improvement association last
evening, Professor David w. Dennis,
Of Earlham College declared the city
Of Richmond one of the worst offend
ers against scenic beauty in the city's
limits. With words of rebuke and re-
proach Professor Dennis pointed to
the shameless mistreatment of the
west bank of the Whitewater river
gorge between the DOran and Main
street bridges. The drainage from
large portion of the west side is car
ried to the top of the bluff by sewers
and then belched forth over the lime
stone formations to seek its way to
the river below as best it may.
Speaks for Boulevard.
1t was with words of satire that the
speaker called attention to the fact
this city claims to have the most beau
tiful parks of any city of the size in
the country. but permits the ruthless
ruination of most ideal location for
a park, that of the proposed park and
boulevard between the bridges. Pro-
fesSor Dennis said he could think of
nothing that would do more to i'm
prove the scenic beauty of the city
than taking advantage of the natural
opportunities offered at this location.
He said he did not speak as a resident
of West Richmond, but as a citizen of
Richmond and one who is Interested
in the welfare Of the municipality. He
urged that the city give the matter
attention at once and suggested that
work ought to begin during the next
month.
Cost Would be Small.
The cost of such an Improvement
was declared by the professor to be
very small so small in fact that it is
hardly deserving Of consideration in
view Of the beneficial results that
would be accrued To permit the pres
ent abuse of the place by the city
can not but reflect with discredit. ac-
cording to the views expressed.
Professor Dennis referred TO the
fact that in the construction OF its
parks the city has never failed to take
advantage of its opportunity to re
ceive the help of nature. To support
his argument on this point about 40
stereOptiCon views We're shown. The
remarks at this phase of the address
were but preparatory 10 those whiCh
followed concerning the riverside park
proposition.
Best Place in World.
The speaker has been an extensive
traveller and his auditors were sur
prised when he said that the site of
the proposed park is one of the best
offered by any place in the entire
world. The place suggested as a
boulevard is formed by a natural ter
race lined on both sides by beautiful
trees. Between the terrace and the
river is broad sloping eXpanse which
would be ideal for park purposes. To
the west is the solid limestone bluff.
OvergrOwn with shrubbery except in
the most inaccessible portions. wnere
even the soil can not gain hold upon
the stone.
That the city itself should be the on
ly party to the desecratiOn of the place
was decried by the speaker. BY the
present arrangement of the system of
sewage in West Richmond, the under
ground sewers are provided with an
outlet, a few feet below the surface at
the top of the cliffs. BY years of con-
stant wear and erosion the water emit
ted by the sewefs has dug shallow
channels through the stone and down
TO the level of the flood plain OF the
river. Here the sewer water infested
by pollution and disease germs seeks
a level and in dry weather is unable
to reach the stream. II spreads out
over the surface of the ground and
forms an immense vile cesspool To
one must submit to plunge into this
place. To the struggles of nature
alone is due the fact that the place
does not become the source of plaques.
The trees and shrubbery protect the
ground with their foliage and the rank
good cause. The burning rays OF the
summer sun are unable to penetrate
the thick underground and consequent
~ evaporation does not create the Oy-
empowering odors that would arise 9TH
erwise.
Professor Dennis advocates the city
providing a means whereby the out
lets Of the sewers will be below the