The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-03

/ No project which has been devoted TO
/ the public interest. and 20 making Rock
Creek Park the proud possession OF the
masses as well as tho classes. has met
with so vital response from the people
Of Washington. as the present plan. in
augurated by The Washington Herald, 70
popularize the reservation
Appreciation Of Rock Creek Park. in
an esthetio and impersonal sort OF man
ner. Is widespread; appreciation born Of
the intimacies OF friendship and com
munion is limited to a very few-the few
who possess means OF penetrating to
the heart OF the beauty lurking in its
labyrinth OF foliage. It IS beyond the
roach OF the many. although It is ready
to receive them in It's cool and delight
ful depths
Summer An TenementS.
Many a precious summer day Is wasted
/ by the poor and tina hard-pressed In
sun-baked flats and tenements, full
OF stagnant air and gerrn-breeders
OF disease. Philanthropists and so
cieties Of uplift cry out with help
less protest against this condition,
for with the poor even the wretched
hovel IL preferable 70 the pavement. and
their children, seeking the out Of doors,
are sure 10 become waits OF the street.
To such the park would be a God send.
Representative Ollie James, OF Ken
lucky, disclaimed any knowledge OF the
especial problems confronting the au-
thorities n opening Rock Creek Park
but declared that any plans to popu-
larize the reserve had his approval.
You can quote me as saying that Rock
Creek Park ought 90 DO made accessible
TO the people: II ought TO become the
great playground OF Washington, he
said I am liad that steps have been
taken 20 insC-- this contamination at an
early date. Undoubtedly we all need edu-
cation about Rock Creek Park Few OF
US realize how beautiful and splendid Il
Is. Nis' nrs assure us that Il has hardly
peer n the continent, or IN the world.
he given no thought 70 the plans
whE- i've been suggested and I do not
lhln-- sne government would be. or should
De- put 20 any great expense IN popu-
larlzing the reservation. The plan 10 De
adopted viii undoubtedly be very simple,
and viii involve but little outlay OF
Washington may De counted upon to sup
port this plan with enthusiasm as well as
the permanent population
Urges Cheap Transit.
Equally emphatic In HIS declaration was
A. Maurice Low. the well-known CORE
spondent, who believes that Rock Creek
Park should Be easily reached from Gil
points OF the Capital
Tt Is unfortunate that We cannot ALI
have automobiles. but in the absence OF
them some cheap and speedy method OF
transit should be este bushed. I-noues-
uonably Rock Creek VIII not reach It's
highest field OF Usefulness until the peonIa
begin 20 flock there and until they know n
from one end 20 the other I think II
would be simple matter 70 make the
park accessible. 1t means the extension
Of car lines and the installation OF bus
service This latter is an excellent idea
II would at least partially solve the prob
lem without loss OF time.
When the day comes that Washing
tonians really know their beautiful park /
1t viii be day OF sorry regret that they
have neglected It so long. II the oppor- /
tunity IS given the people to make Il their |
outing place. the gain In health and l
morals 20 the city VIII be incalculable"