The Washington herald., 1909-07-25

The washington Herald Agitation.
Marshaling support from all classes
OF citizens. and evoking enthusiasm
from those who are especially engaged IN
promoting the welfare Of the masses Of
OF Washlngton's population. the project
for lifting the curtain OF exclusiveness
from Rock Creek Park and dedicating it
to the people is rapidly gaining in popu-
lar strength
Representative Samuel W. Smith yester-
day came out strong in support OF the
campaign inaugurated by The Washing
ton Herald, and his statement carries
wide influence, as he is chairman Of the
House Committee on the District Of Co
lumbia
He is IN a splendid position 10 advance
the movement His declaration that he is
giving comprehensive study 20 the sub
jet OF parks and finds in the example
of other cities such as Detroit and
Cleveland, many ideas which can be sue
cessfully utilized here, will be greeted
with approval by all progressive citizens
OF Washington.
The idea Of line Of buses, or stages,
which has been suggested by Commits
sioner mcfarland and many other citi-
Zens. is growing IN strength While some
regard IL as a temporary measure, ell
agree that IL viii prove a splendid method
OF developing public interest in Rock
Creek Park. Representative Smith sug-
gests that this line be installed by the
city.
should BE Playground.
II is urged that Rock Creek Park
should be made a playground. great
natural amphitheater, which win furnish
recreation for the people. That a con-
siderable portion Of the park can be set
aside for this purpose without encroach-
ing upon that which obviously should be
left as nature has adorned II Is the con-
sensus Of opinion.
Stress Is laid upon the fact that Wash
ington is alone among all the great
cities Of the United States IN being with
out a great popular park. Some say the
people themselves are responsible for this
condition, but no doubt is held thar any
opportunity 10 reach Rock Creek Park In
IN inexpensive way viii be eagerly taken
ad vantage or
IL
on the District o. Columbia Representa-
tive Samuel W. Smith Yesterday voiced
his views upon the project Of giving Rock
Creek Park UnreServedly 20 the use and
enjoyment OF the people. He heartily in
dorsed the campaign Of The Washington
Herald
Has Studied Parks.
Il have given some study 10 the SUP
jet Of parks he said. and I have long
felt that the Rock Creek reserve IS not
reaching it's highest field Of usefulness
that is II is not great pleasure ground
Cor the people. OF course. there have
been reasons for this condition OF things:
think Washington itself has failed 20
realize what a beautiful place this Rock
Creek Park IS. and has been rather in
different about IT,
The point which I have IN mind, how
ever, regarding the popularization OF this
reserve, is that OF establishing buses and
stages 20 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 10 the bus idea.
AT Belle Isle. the great park which
IS the pride OF Detroit. the bus System
ton for the people. The park can be
reached In no other way. 7 90 not think
the city would ever consent 10 the prof.
ect OF invading the delightful roads and
gardens Of the reserve with a street car
system
The problem Of transportation at Belle
Isle ana at Rock Creek are similar. al
though Rock Creek is larger. Both are
remote and inaccessible, and are long and
narrow. Il viii be impossible for the
public 10 reach Rock Creek unless some
new transportation 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. 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. II would mean but small expense
10 make this experiment, and think the
public would support 1t.
Il fully realize the potentanties OF
Rock Creek Park and am strongly IN
favor Of all that can be done 10 popu-
larize It. Probably there is no other great
park IN the world which IS so little known
TO the people TO whom II belongs. The
HTNCtIL campaign VI 4 ne ~ dHLAAll = Loll
Herald is in the right direction. and I am
sure It is doing much TO quicken public
opinion upon the subject"
DIR. Phillips IndOrEes.
Dr. w F. R. Phillips has given en-
phatic Endorsement 70 the movement in
augurated by The Washington Herald
for a Rock Creek Park which will be
open in fact az we'll as In name TO the
people Of Washington.
Il have all along been impressed by the
fact that we do not use our parks as
other cities do" he said. 1T is a fact
that Washingtonians seem TO regard their
park with a feeling Of apathy, possibly
induced by the fact that Keep of the
grass" signs and other warnings of the
same kind have been all too common. II
is high time that the Capital OF the cOun-
try should emancipate itself from any
feeling that the greater blessings Of the
city should be devoted TO the rich and
powerful alone. but to the people at large
This city should typify and symbolic ouI
democracy above all other things.
Il do not know why 1t is that the pro-
iect of opening Rock Creek Park has
been delayed until this time. The Opin-
ion II often expressed that II has the
making OF one OF the most beautiful
parks In the world. Yet this develop
ment will never come unless the citizens
Of Washington take some civic pride ID
1t; not merely a spirit of impersOna
pride but one which manifests itself In
an active manner. The humble and The
lowly should be urged to partske Of it;
many delights. II should be made a great
natural amphitheater where the people
can gather and where inspiration can bC
drawn from the amazing beauty which
nature has provided