The Washington herald., 1909-08-04

Among the stanchest supporters Of
The Washington Herald's movement to
popularize Rock Creek Park and throw
II open 20 the masses. is organized Ia
Dor. Central Labor Union, the clearing
house OF the eighty-fve organized trades
bodies in the District, with an aggregate
membership OF 5000 skilled mechanics,
at a recent meeting adopted resolutions
commencing and indorsing the PROPOSE
ton 10 extend the car fires to the park.
That fne movement is growing IN popular
favor with this class OF representative
citizens is shown by these personal IN
dorsements from prominent labor Lead
ers received yesterday:
THE proposition TO throw Rock Creek
Park open 70 the masses by extending
the street care lines TO the borders or
within che park" said John II. Brink
man, general national secretary Of the
International Carriage and Wagon Work
ers' Union. meets with my approval and
that OF every skilled craftsman with
whom I have talked The fact that the
District taxpayers have paid half the
purchase money, amounting 70 nearly 81
600 600. for this natural park and con-
tributed to It's maintenance. argues that
II should be made accessible 10 the
masses.
Location Is Remote.
Its geographical location makes II Inn
possible for the masses OF the people 70
reach the place. and as a result it is
only enjoyed by the masses who can
Afford TO own and operate automobiles,
carriages. or riding horses. The masses
of the people cannot afford to hire auto
mobiles or carriages to tour the park,
and as a result Il is practically unknown
20 the people who should know IT best
1T Is a beauty spot filed with beau
| tiful drives along country roads, over
hung with luxuriant trees, presenting Wis
tas OF natural forest beaTties seldom
equaled anywhere. That this great park
has been so long owned by the govern
ment and yet so little unknown f. I'M
doubtedly due % its location and the
inability OF the people 10 reach f. Throw
Il open. extend the car lines. build the
big artificial lake, put up the necessary
Fairgrounds. ball PARK. and other amuse-
ments for the peOple-they pay for the
maintenance OF the place and are Justly
entitled 20 enjoy 70. 7 believe II the car
lines are extended 10 the park Il will
be the most popular resort in the city. -
John j. Purcell, business agent Of the
Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers, Lo-
cal No. &c, one OF the best-inforfned men
on the national labor movement said last
night:
Organized labor Is for The Washing
ton Herald's plan 20 popularize Rock
/ En ~ WTofr 81. -
ing the car lines there, so that the
masses may reach Il. and all the other
Improvements for the amusement and
pleasure Of the people viii follow by
reason OF demand. The place win be the
resort of the great army Of people who
| earn their bread by the sweat OF their
brows."
Argues Against Delay.
Emmett L. Adams. for meny years the
president OF District Lodge. No. A. Inter
national Association Of Machlnlsts. said
yesterday:
I'VE cannot have too many parks
favor the plans OF The Washington Her
aid TO popularize Rock Greek Park by
any means that may be the most avail
able. Do Il now, Don't put It or. Hurry
the work Of extending the car lines "a
the park. Let the masses get out there
and enjoy the comforts and beauties OF
its rich forest and natural beauty. As &;
stands to-day, It was waste Of good
money to buy this property. Il Is all right
for the people who own private convey
lances."
Sam De Nedrey, secretary OF the Cen
tral Labor Union and editor OF the Trades
Unionist. says:
You may quote me as strong as you
Ike as being In favor Of making Rock
Creek Park accessible to the masses. ]
am for anything that has for its objec;
the pleasure. amusement. and comfort OF
the masses. Maze the car lines extend
their tracks TO the park"