Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-26
PARK IS FOR THE PEOPLE
Senator'S Gallinger and Scott Give
Their Views.
THINK CAR LINES WOULD PAY
Chairman Smith Of the House Dis
trict Committee Believes in We
hicles Run by the City.

other large public reservations. When
. park II provided for the use OF the
people there ought to be way for the
people to get into IT,
In these words Senator Gallinger of
New Hampshire, chairman OF the COM
mittee on the District Of Columbia, this
morning stamped with his approval the
suggestion of The Star to make more
accessible the many beauty spots in the
Districts most beautiful public reserva-
ton.
Senator Gallinger was seen just few
minutes after he had returned from his
home in New Hampshire. where he went
two weeks ago, expecting to remain for
the rest OF the summer. He found it
necessary to return to aid in the final
shaping Of the tariff bill. He says there
has been no such drouth in his state as
has injured crops in this vicinity, and
that everything on his farm is in fine
shape. He was sorry to have to give up
farming and turn to legislating again
just when he had decided he could be a
farmer without interruption for the next
few months.
He's for It, He Is!
On account of his absence from the
city Mr.. Gallnger was not aware of the
prominence that has been accorded The
Stars Rock Creek Park proposal in the
| past few days. He was quick to show
interest in such plan, however. and very
ready to discuss it.
"Of course he said. Il can't speak
for the Senate District committee, and
don't know what action it would take on
a bill for the establishment of a bus line
| in the park. but feel that such a meas
ure would be given very favorable con-
sideration. 1t would be nothing out of
| the ordinary, but. on the other hand.
something that is already in use in Cen
trail Park, New York; the Yellowstone
National Park and numerous other places
of that kind.
Il do not think it would be feasible to
establish line of municipal buses,
That would be like having the District
government dispense lemonade. But l do
| think private company could be given
| the right to run a line OF stages through
| the park. much to the convenience of the
people. and that such a line would re-
ceive sufficient patronage to make it a
| profitable undertaking.
| Il drove through the upper part of the
| park not long ago. and was especially
| struck with the beauty of the spots that
are farthest removed from the car line,
! SO far. in fact, that no pedestrian ever
1
| long-distance tramp.
Just Dream Of This.
The buses wouldn't have to run very
often, say every hour. They could drop
people along the route. and later buses
could pick them up again. In this way
pleasant outing in the more distant and
| secluded portions of the park could be
had with the least possible amount of
inconvenience"
Mr.. Gs.linger also thinks it would be
good thing to extend the street car lines
| into the park If it could be done with
out reopening a lot of collateral questions
| such as tied up the Union station track
age bill and were responsible for it's
hanging fire for two sessions of Congress.
Such extensions, he said today. could
| doubtless be made by the railway conf
panies at a reasonable expense. and would
probably be profitable to them.
How That Gasoline Smells.
81 am opposed. however, he repeated,
emphatically. ito any more general
street railway legislation for the present.
Another senator who is a member of
the District committee, and who believes
in making Rock Creek Park distinctly
a peoples park is Senator Scott of
West Virginia. He is also chairman of
the important committee on public build
ings and grounds, and, therefore. in close
touch with matters affecting public
reservations both here and elsewhere in
this country.
THE best way to improve Rock Creek
Park as a place for the people to enjoy
an outing said he today. would be to
keep those speeding. ill-smelling auto
mobiles out of ii. I'd like to see that
done first of all
of Columbia committee is also behind The
Stars plan. He has given some time to
a study of parks. and says he has long
felt that Rock Creek Park is not reach
ing it's highest field of usefulness to the
people In general.
Mr.. Smith Has Views.
'Of course. there have been reasons for
this condition Of things said Mr.. Smith.
Il think Washington itself has failed to
realize what a beautiful place this Rock
Creek Park is and has been rather in
different about it. The point which l have
in mind however. regarding the populari-
cation Of this reserve is that of establish
ing buses and stages to afford cheap
transportation. / have the example of
Central Park, New York. and Belle Isle,
Detroit, In saying this. In both of these
parks the public has taken kindly to the
bus idea. At Belle Isle. the great park
which is the pride of Detroit, the bus sys-
tenn furnishes the one means of trans
portatiOn for the people.
1.-THE park can be reached in no other
way. I do not think the city would ever
consent to the project of invading the de-
lightful roads and gardens OF the reserve
with a street car system. The problems
of transportation at Belle Isle and at
Rock Creek are similar. although Rock
Creek Is larger Both are remote and in
accessible and are long and narrow.
1t will be impossible for the public to
reach Rock Creek unless some new trans
portation system is devised.
Il do not oppose the extension of the
traction system around the edges of the
park but I think the present situation
could be materially changed by the bus
system.
City Buses for Him.
1.-The buses should not be given over to
a private operator. They should be run
by the city government. and the charge
should be made strictly on a cost basis.
It would mean but small expense to make
this experiment. and l think the public
would support it. l fully realize the po-
tentialities of Rock Creek Park and am
strongly In favor of all that can be done
to popularize 1t.
Probably there is no other great park
in the world which is little known to
the people to whom ii belongs. The pres |
ent campaign is In the right direction, |
and am sure it is doing much to quicken |
public opinion upon the subject"
Tornado Wipes Out Town.
WINNIPEG Manitoba Ii,ly % The /