The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-21
EORUMOFTHEPEOPL
Editor of the Palladium:

against the J.. H. l. z tidctiou Coui-
pany running a line through Glen Mil
Ter. the great cry on the part of citizens
the mass of whom were opposed to
this action-was that they were unac-
quainted with the details of the situa-
ton and did not understand that what
they thought a mere chimerical sug-
gestion would be consummated.
1t would be well, therefore for all
hose who do not wish to see a further
depreciation committed on one Of the
most picturesque sections of this, ad-
mittedly one of the most beautiful Ia
tural parks attached to any municipal
ity in this country. to take note of the
fact that what are termed in the pub
lie prints, many business men" of the
city, are talking with much compla-
cence of selling that portion of the
Glen west of the car line as it is of
little use as a picnic ground" and for
other assinine reasons in order that
lands east of the park may be bought
and included therein.
Waving that amusingly material at
lOOhS upCH every Dtdult-
full spot in the out-of-doors as a mere
rendezvous for a place to spread
things on the ground to eat. it might
be emphasized that to destroy a part
Of a park which happens to be one of
the latter's effective scenic appurten-
anees, to d to another portion
seems a very considerable absurdity.
What if people do not use this part
Of the Glen for %picnics: Parks are
not created for the accommodation of
picnic parties. In large cities they are
utilized for breathing spaces as we'll
as to aid the decorative aspects of the
community in which they happen to
exist. But Richmond is not particular
ly in need of breathing spaces. What
it needs, and what has been given it
in the past, but of which it seems to be
in imminent danger of being robbed
altogether-and by members of its own
municipal family-is greater regard for
its aesthetic considerations.
There are always a lot of people to
sneer at art" and nature lovers
when protect is made against the de-
.struction of the beauty of the town or
country. The trouble is that the cit
liens who have the control of munich
palities turf Over that control, almost
invariably, to the philistines and bar
barians. In instance a man who was
rampant for the traction line through
the Glen. admitted he hadn't been in
the park for two years. But what do
they care. Just 81 they get enough
to eat and can run a cement gutter
through any available or unavailable
place where something else, or moth
ing else, has been before.
1t is said by the barbarians-"Oh,
never mind: the traction company will
run a cement gutter along the cash it
cut in the park adding greatly to it's
scenic beauty at this point. We will
now turn our attention to converting
the land west into building lots" OF
ord to that effect.
The truth is that the entering wedge
in the destruction of the park as a
park was the permission given to hold
the c autauqua within its confines.
The Chautauqua never has had the
shadow of a right to hold it's meetings
III 1lSh X1lliCl. L 10 q pIlSdIC CulS
prise for private emolument and the
city has no right-to the average lay
man-to permit one part of the park to
be fenced off and shut out from the
use of any single citizen of the town
for ten days time unless that citizen
desires to pay a certain price. 1t is
only a matter of a short time when
<l@ t~oo~ j., fha{ r>o~f 1T tho oorJ- will
be destroyed by the electric light APP
paratus attached to their trunks,
which is left by the .Chautauqua man
agement on the trees the year round.
The grass has never grown in this part
of the park as before the holding of
the Chautauqua.
And no denizen of the town a
walk through the park since the run
ming of the traction line through its
entrance without intense Indignation.
Sodding of banks and making of ce-
ment cutters will never repair h
damage done One of the most charm
ing paths through the Glen was that
which led from 22nd street to the
main driveway-now entirely spoiled
by the traction line which creates two
steep declivities and compels the pc
to go along the line of the
track to the point of intersection with
the main drive.
The acquisition of the lands east of
the park is a highly desirable thing
as the latter would add greatly to its
and spaciousness. but this
should not be effected by looping off
the grand entrance" for that is what
the West End of the park is, and is
in spite of the mutilation of the state
~ evergreens and the cutting down of
some of the green trees along the drive
firewood. i,
Any landscape gardener, any lover
of nature, any mere casual observer.
will be impressed by the approach
and the view from the lower driveway
the West-the big open space
with the evergreens silhouetted, sum
mer and winter alike, against the sky.
The finger of scorn and derision
should be aud would be forever point
ed at Richmond should this be de-
stroyed and converted into building
lots as is being proposed by some OF
the business men of this city. Now
is the time for those interested in