The Washington herald., 1909-08-17

That Rock Creek Park will in the
near future be made Of some real use
to the people OF the District and viii
Justify its maintenance by the govern
ment Is now practically assured
officials OF both the national and Dis
trict governments and many OF the law
makers at the Capitol are thoroughly IN
accord with the project inaugurated by
The Washington Herald 10 open up Rock
Creek Park 10 the public and 20 make
ii place Of rest and amusement for
the citizens.
Rock Creek Park has heretofore been
OF no practical value 70 the majority of
Washingtonians, and II has been fire.
quented mainly by the upper crust"
the automobile and carriage owners.
Ray E. Middaugh, a well-known real
estate dealer. expressed himself in the
most enthusiastic terms with regard 10
the movement begun by The Washington
Herald 70 open up the park at Rock
Greek.
A Waste of Money.
THE government" he said, spends
money on the parks 70 make them Of
use 70 the citizens. and II they are not
OF use 70 every class. they fail OF their
purpose and do not justify their main
tenance. Il is plain 10 ali that Rock
Creek Park has not heretofore been OF
use 10 ali classes OF citizens. II should
be. and Will be. II the present plan is
carried out"
Terence v Powderly. chief OF the in
formation division Of the Bureau OF In
migration. said yesterday that he thought
the project most praiseworthy. and one
that should meet with immediate success.
Il am heartily IN favor" he said. ''of
al improvements that will have bene-
fetal result for the great mass OF the
citizens. and not those alone who are
possessed OF wealth. Anything that will
make Rock Creek Park, one OF the most
OeaGutul In the country, a place where
every one without exception viii take
pleasure and viii derive benefit from
going meets with my approval and the
approval Of every sane citizen.
In connection with the Improvement OF
Rock Creek Park. I would Ike 10 cali
attention 10 the fact that the suburban
roads within the District limits should
| De looked after more than they are at
present
in places they are a disgrace 10 the
authorities This IS noticeabiy so on tho
Rock Creek Church road. where tina road
Is not only rocky and rough. but the
sidewalk. with every rainstorm, is over
Moved with sand and mud This road
!eaos 70 soldiers Home and the reason
given for not improving II was that a
great zeal OF heavy hauling. IN the way
or monuments for dead soldiers was ba-
/
over with, the road would be repaired.
Since II Is probable that soldiers viii
be continually dying there. and that peo-
PIE VIII Insist upon raising monuments N
them, II seems that the residents will
nave 10 wait long time for any i'm
proFements. The excuse given for not
improving the road was not reasonable
one, and II seems 10 me that IN inprov-
! ing ROCK Creek Park, the roads and
( streets OF the District. especially in tho
suburbs. should not be forgotten"
Urges Vfgor.
p. J. Callahan, general manager n, ,ba
Norfolk and Washington Steamboat Com
pany. said yesterday that he thought the
scheme TO open up Rock Creek PARK
commendable and should be pushed with
vigor.
Rock Creek Park ne said. Should
be made TO surpass Paramount Park in
( Philadelphia and Central Park IN New
! York and IL VIII with very little effor;
/ expended on It. approve OF all the
( ideas set forth for the DEVELOPMENT OF
the park and I would particularly IKE
@ see suitable entrance 70 the parl,
| erected.
1t should be advertised more. Let the
people know that Rock Creek Park IS
there and can afford them amusement and
| recreation"
Alexander T Hensey. Of the firm OF
SWartzell, Rheem & Hensey, heartily an
proved OF the movement and said that
no had long thought that Rock Creek
Park should be opened up and made
more easily accessible
our parks are the equal OF any In
the country" he said, but Rock Creel,
Park has not been developed 10 its fullest
1 extent as should be done. This SHOULD
be effected, and II the plans published
IN The Washington Herald since the
movement was first started are carried
into effect, Il will be done