The Washington herald., 1909-07-21

With a swelling volume Of popular ap-
proval nassed behind It, the campaign IN
favor OF a Rock Creek Park for the peo-
pie" grows more aggressive and more
determined from day to day.
That Il holds the heart OF the public
was evidenced on Monday night. when
the Central Labor Union adopted ringing
resolutions supporting it. and with this
unanimous Endorsement from the parent
body the movement has been given the
seal OF approval OF the laboring men OF
Washington.
With equal zest those who already enjoy
Rock Creek Park. and can reap no per-
sonal benefit from the extension Of the
transportation facilities. are eager TO
make It accessible to ALL They recognize
that the park means far more to those
who are chained to the city in all sea-
sons and who never reach the great out
OF doors than TO those who fee 10 sea-
shore and mountain when the heated
spell sets IN.
That Rock Creek Park should serve an
economic as well as an esthetic function
is the opinion OF John Barrett chief of
the Bureau Of American Republics.
THE natural beauty OF the park should
be maintained at all hazards" he says,
but I think it can be popularized with
out losing one jot Of It's charm and rus
ticity.
Movement n Good One.
The movement now on foot is good
one. and should be encouraged. Such a
splendid park should be dedicated 20 the
public. for what is a park for II not to
provide for those who are unable 70 spend
the heated season at the seashore or in
the mountains? That thought should be
pressed home Central Park In New York
does not belong 10 the rich whose man
sions decorate its borders but 10 the
masses Of the East side, who flock TO It
as to a refreshing forest and garden
when the metropolis Is in the grip OF the
summer heat.
Il think Rock Greek can be made an
other Central Park. IL IS not difficult TO
see why Il Is not the great popular resort
Il should be. IN view OF the traction serv-
ice at present provided. IL Is quite posi-
bic that a fear of destroying the wild
beauty OF the park has acted as a deter
rent heretofore. In traversing Rock Creek
one can realize how small a portion OF
the Capital population Is enjoying its de-
lights. II is high time that the peoples
eyes should be opened.
Il would oppose however any III con-
sidered schemes OF increasing the trans
pOrtation facilities There are many in
terests involved. The car lines should
not be run into the heart OF the park. for
this would cheaper and degrade f. The
problem would seem TO be a skillful man
agement Of these branching tracks, which
should be secluded as far as possible. and
not offend the vision OF those who are
seeking the wild depths Of Rock Creek.
/ should say, also, that they should not
cross the roads or the bride paths
"Unquestlonably Rock Creek Park can
be made easy of access under these con-
diuons. Once the public knows what
beautiful resort Il possesses, II will not
only flock to it. but Il viii be as deter
mined 10 preserve It IN its present state
as are all who know Il now.
''1he present campaign is along the
right lines. and the public should support
Il with enthusiasm"
Sylvester May Aid.
Mai Sylvester chief Of police. has come
to the fore with n statement that he viii
patrol Rock Creek Park as soon as ne
ls given Is extra men. II the park IS
made a great public resort, 81 will re
quire protection from marauders. and this
Maj. Sylvester is prepared TO give as
soon as Congress Increases his force.
He suggests that a station be erected
IN Rock Creek Park for the police. This
will undoubtedly follow when the park
is made the great popular rendezvous
which It should be
From all classes Of citizens support is
being given to the campaign. and valuable
suggestions tending TO pOpularizaton
have been made. The plan Of a bathing
pool beyond the Klingle Ford road has
met with much approval
when Washington gives me 125 men
with which 10 guard the city, will gladly
take up the work Of pauoning Rock Creek
Park. But until they do, fear It is I'm
possible"
SO declared Mai Sylvester last night
when asked whether the present force or
men in the District could be 50 arranged
as 10 spare a corps for the patrolling or
Rock Creek Park He said the present
number Of men on the force was painfully
inadequate 20 the needs OF the city, and
that the city was not required TO patrol
the park. which is the property Of the
United States government. He expressed
his conviction that this parolling was alb
Bolutely necessary.
Under the Government.
Under the present arrangement" he
said. men appointed 20 patrol the park
would be park policemen, not answerable
20 me. With the present equipment OF
footmen andahorsemen. 1t is impossible 20
give even tiS citizens OF Washington the
protection they need. It would. OF course,
be out OF the question to attempt to patrol
a park when our more crowded districts
were in need OF men.
such park as Is proposed should have
- --------------------I