The Washington herald., 1909-07-26


portion Of the park near the Brightwood
reservoir. In the last two weeks several
games have been played on the new field,
which is admirably adapted for ths game
OF cricket.
A committee consisting OF William War
ren, r W. Roberts. John c. McCub-
bin, and Anthony 4. Sousa recently
called on Commissioner Henry L. West
and later communicated Wsth the Rock
Creek Commission. requesting permission
10 use the above mentioned ground The
request was Immediately granted and ev-
cry courtesy has been extended the club
by the park regents. and the field, which
Is only three minutes walk from the ter
minal OF the Piney Branch car line. has
been put IN fine condition for playing the
English game
Anthony a. Sousa. secretary Of the
club. who organized the Departmental
Baseball League IN 1893, purposes TO DO
all in his power 10 stimulate interest IN
every outdoor sport that may be played
at the proposed Fairgrounds IN Rock
Creek Park At the cricket clubs new
grounds arrangements have been. made 10
make both the spectators and players
comfortable IN the shady slopes adjoin-
ing.
Natural AmphItheater.
Speaking OF the movement Inaugurated
ny The Washington Herald 10 pOpularize
Rock Creek Park Mr. Sousa said: The
many pastoral spots. the vast stretches Of
beautiful scenery. and the level green sur
the best natural nelds for every kind OF
outdoor sport. Our cricket field is IN
sort OF natural amphitheater. being bor-
dered on the east side BY a grassy slope
and on the west and south sides by tall
oaks that shade half the field
Surely some time. and hope It may
be soon. the park viii be thrown open
to the general public to be used as a play
ground where the clerk OF sedentary oc-
cupauon, the fresh-air seekers from the
flats and boarding houses may play IN
games or find relaxation by Witnessing
interesting contests amid Arcadia-Iike
surroundings.
The members or our cricket club ara
delighted with the newly acquired field.
and as cricket, which Is the foster father
Of baseball. has been the entering wedge
Tor the proposed Fairgrounds, there Is
every reason that cur great national
game Of baseball should follow. There
Is ample space for roomy diamonds within
three minutes walk Of the Brlghtwood
car barns.
II should also Ike 10 see a running
track and field for general sports where
individual competition is involved. La
crosse, rugby, and soccer football could
be played IN the winter on the baseball
held. l think Il would be well to conceds /
certain apporuoned grounds TO reputable
organizations. which would be respOnsl-
bic for the care OF the fields and this
would also tend 90 inhibit undesirable
spectators or players
The park, however, Is splendidly Do !
Iced Our club invites every one 20 visit
our grounds 70 play or look on. We shall
have practice or match games every
wednesday and Saturday afternoon until
the latter part OF September"
Popular Interest Increasing.
Rock Creek Park. the beauty spot Of
the Capital. should be given over entirely /
to the people. according to the views ex-
pressed by scores Of local citizens. who I
are indorsing the campaign undertaken by /
The Washington Herald.
An Increasing volume OF popular orin-
ion Is supporting this movement. which
promises TO quicken the pulse OF the Cap !
ital. so far as Rock Creek Park IS CON /
cerned In the near future the many
plans and suggestions now being offered 4
Will probably take concrete form and /
crystallize in a demand that the proper
be taken 70 make the reserva-
ton the great pleasure spot OF Washing 4
ton.
The statement OF Representative Smith
chairman Of the House Committee on the
District OF Columbia, IN yesterday morn
ing's Washington Herald. had a marked
influence In the city, and Il went FAR 10
show that support may be expected z,
Congress for whatever project Is de-
cided upon 70 popularize Rock Creek.
A GIRrinE Defect.
Believing that Washington should AZ
last prepare to remedy one Of the elar,nz
defects Of its civic structure. w. Nfosbv
Williams yesterday heartily indorsed the /
project inaugurated by The Washing
ton Herald TO bring Rock Creek Park
within the reach Of the people.
I have Ions felt that the city should
no longer endure the present condition
Of things" said Mr.. Williams. There
Is no question that Rock Creek Park is
not at present reaching its highest nsl5
Of usefulness, because II is enioved only
by the wealthy few. This seems 70 he
the fault Of no one In particular. there
has undoubtedly been a lack OF interest
IN the reserve. and certainly tbera has
been no organized effort 20 improve con-
iitions
There is only one great function for
park 10 discharge-to furnish a pleas
IRE ground for the people. II II Is not
MS, then 1t Is nothing Rock Creek
Sark mas never been a popular resort
argely for the reason that there has
been no effort to make IL one. There ar
absolutely no facilities for the public II
8 ideal for the automobllists and horse
'ack riders, but for the people at large
10 provision has been made.
1t is curious that. for the citizen seek
ng recreation in Washington without
,oing to any Of the private attractions.
he Capital has absolutely nothing IN
ner. OF course. the only relief from the
resent conditions is the extension Of
transportation facilities. am a great
'eliever in the bus system. This can hs
quickly established, and am sure the
experiment. Is well worth while"
Make 1t n Playground.
Joseph 1. Weller is an enthusiast IN
he subject Of Rock Creek Park. and de-
lares no time should be lost in making
the Capitals great playground.
There should be an extension OF the
raotion lines undoubtedly" he said. 81
o not favor the bus system. I do not