The Washington herald., 1909-07-19
ELKINS PRAISES
ROCK CREEK PLAN
Senator from West Virginia
Sees It's Possibilities.
OTHER SENATORS INDORSE IT
CulbersOn FavOrs the General Prof.
ect of Making the Park More Ac-
cessIbIe 20 the PubIic-Representa
tive keifer Says He VIII Favor
Any Necessary Legislation.

That the plan inaugurated by The
Washington Herald 20 make Rock Creek
Park more accessible to the every day
citizen is practical and popular one is
evidenced by the interest which men high
in public life take in #.
Many plans have been proposed to
make possible the accomplishment OF
the desired effect-which Is TO bring the
park closer to the mothers and children
OF the city, so that they may enjoy It's
beauties and get away from the heat
and dust Of the city's streets.
Senator Stephen b. EIkins. Of West
Virginia who enjoys a trip 20 the park
as many times a week as his arduous
duties win permit. expressed himself yes
tereay afternoon as being unqualihedly
in favor Of bringing Rock Greek Park
near 10 the homes Of the people He
said:
EllIlns Is Enthusiastic.
When people want TO reach Rock
Greek Park, under existing circumstances.
they have TO walk so far from the street
car line that they are tired when they
reach the park. I have been reading
what The Washington Herald has been
doing in forwarding some practical plan.
and I think Il is a splendid movement
II is the development OF public interest
along such popular and practical lines
that builds up great interests. beautiful
oities. and prosp rous nations. / visit
the park often. and enjoy it's natural
beauties I think II is the most beautiful
park IN the world, and I want to see
the people Of Washington brought nearer
10 the enjoyment Of H.
"Of course. the car service should
bring the citizens Of Washington 20 the
park for the minimum expense. There
are many competent engineers in the
public service here who are capable OF
devisng a plan that is feasible Col
Cosby and his associates are competent
70 handle such a problem. and / hope
something will be done with it soon"
Views of Other Senator's.
Senator Culberson. Of Texas. who is th-
leader Of the Democrats In the Senate
says he favors the general project OF
bringing the park nearer 20 the people
He has not studied any specific plans
Senator Paynter, Of Kentucky. who is
member Of the Senate Committee on
the District Of Columbia. considers the
project a good one He does not think
any opposition TO it could develop. be-
cause il is public necessity
The strange thing TO me, in reference
20 the Washington park situation" said
Senator Gamble, Of South Dakota, yes
terd2ys is that some plan to bring Rock
Creek Park nearer TO the people has
never been discussed before. Why have
a Beautiful park for a few citizens and
have no such arrangement for the average
citizen and his family? The general plan
meets with my approval and shall receive
my support. Parks are for the benefit
Of the people in general. and I want to
see every citizen in Washington in a
position to enjoy them at the least ex-
penditure Of time and money"
Senator Joseph r. Johnston. of Ala
bam2, who is a member Of the Senate
Committee for the District of Columbia,
says he has not examined any Of the
numerous plans proposed. but considers
the general proposition as worthy OF in
telligent consideration.
Senator Jonathan Bourne says that as
the project is for the benefit OF the every
day citizen, and would help 10 make his
life more pleasant he is heartily in favor
Of Il. He Is not familiar with the details
Of the various plans that have been pro-
posed.
Senator Jefferson Davis. Of Arkansas.
wants II made possible 20 nave Rock
Creek Park visited by the poorest Of the /
citizens Of Washington. He would favor
a car line that would carry people for
the ordinary single fare or any other
feasible plan.
Representative KeIfer FavOrs Plan.
In speaking yesterday Of the movement
10 make Rock Creek Park more accessible
70 the public Representative Keifer. OF
Ohio. a member OF the House Committee
On Appropriations. said he would support
the plan If It was brought I'D in Congress.
Il am not acquainted with the details
Of the plan" he said. "as the matter has
been brought up before the Appropri-
atons Committee only I'm piecemeal But
with the general proposition I am heartily
in sympathy. and fit comes up for leg
islaton I'll be for f. You can't get too
much fresh air, and a nation that doesn't
get plenty Of it will never amount 10
much
ideal" Says Cole.
Representative Cole. Of Ohio. said:
Rock Greek Park is a splendid place.
and the public ought to have easy access
70 It. l believe in any movement 70
bring more Of the people and more Of the
air together more of the time"
It's a sound. sensible and thoroughly
good idea,' said Representative Cox, Of
Indiana. Il believe in public parks. and
] believe the people ought 10 be able
u get to them easily"
Lawyer Urges Car Lines.
Woodbury. Blair. the attorney. is in favor
of making Rock Creek Park more ac-
cessible 70 the general public
Such a movement as that" he said
deserves support and I hope to see Il
succeed. The object Of such a park is