Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-16

government and the District government
shall pay half and half.
This question, as brought up by the
clause making apprOpri ations for the local
Fairgrounds entirely out OF the District
revenues, is one of the important ones be-
fore the Senate committee. When the
Commissions were before the committee
last week they urged that the Senate
committee report bill providing for the
payment of the playground expenses on
the half-and half principle. Their re-
quests were coupled with those of local
citizens along the same line.
And now the Wash ngton Playground
Association has joined in the request.
coupling with 1t. however, requests for
larger appropriations ehan the House al
lowed for the Fairgrounds In a letter
to Senator Gallinger, chairman Of the
Senate subcommittee. Arthur c. Moses.
vice p. eSident and James e. West, secre-
tary, of the association, say:
THE amendment offered and passed In
1.-The House providing that the $1,000 APP
propriated for maintenance, supplies and
District revenues. we sincerely hope. will
be changed so that the money will be-
come available on the half-and-half basis
in accordance with the organic act OF
1873. We do not believe 1t is fair that
there should he any discrimination
against appropriations for children's play
grounds
The officers Of the playground associa-
ton are also anxious that the appropria-
tiOns for the recreation centers shall be
made Immediately available. Unless such
a provision is made. it is pointed out. 1t
will be impossible to enter into contracts
for the work and supplies to be authoriz-
ed by the appropriation bill until July 1.
and that will mean that the new equip
ment will not be available for use by the
children of the National Capital until late
in the summer.
Amount Not Adequate.
Urging larger appropriations for the
play grounds. the officers OF the associa-
ton say in their letter to the Senate sub
COMMITTEE:
With reference to the items OF ST.
for toilet facilities and shelter house for
the Rosedale and Georgetown play
srounds-S5.OD In all-your attention is
respectfully directed to the fact that this
amount will be wholly inadequate
THE estimate of the District Commits
sioners was $4,000 for this purpose. and
was based upon the advice of the nu-
nicipal architect Twenty-Five hundred
dollars for a shelter house and toilet ia
cdlities will not permit the erection Of a
fireproof building suitable for this pur-
pose. nor will 1t provide for swimming
pool. 1t Is NSIS uho1H iioPCo tiidl yoQ1
committee can see its way clear to in
crease this item to $12OOO-$6nO for each
playground-and amend the provision so
as to include swimming pool.
If il is impossible to increase the ap-
preparation, then it would be decidedly
preferable to give the entire amount Of
5000 for use at the Rosedale playground.
as in the Judgment of the association. 1t
would be unwise and false economy to
erect a wooden shelter and toilet house
on grounds which have been set aside
for permanent use as Fairgrounds.
Attention Is respectfully invited to the
urgent need of toilet facilities on three
other Fairgrounds
1T is further earnestly requested that
81 500 be added for the purpose OF erect
ing fence. grading. planting of trees and
improvements on the Cardozo playground
for colored childen. This property was
purchased with money provided by Con-
eress, but the lack OF funds has pre-
vented improvements. so that 1t may be
used to the best advantage and in &C.
cordance with the purposes for which 1t
was purchased.
las stated in a letter to the House
committee-page 1876 of the hearings-our
association earnestly hopes that at least
$.0.GO may be provided this year for the
purchase of one additional site for play
ground. and that funds may be provided
grounds. The northwest and southwest
sections OF the city practically with
out Fairgrounds.