The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-16
WOULD DELIBERATE
HIGH BOARD FENCE
William E. Shannon De-
clares Them Insanitary.
THINKS PICKETS ARE BETTER
Washington Builder Advocates a
Change in Interests of Economy
Realized in the Suburbs He Would
Transfer to the City.

William f. shannon, whom friends
are facetously calling the Father of the
Picket Fence" does not claim that the
idea OF supplanting the high board fence
with the low picket variety originated
with him. All he does claim is that he
was instrumental in bringing it into
vogue in the subuTbs and in calling at
tention TO its advantages over the older
type of back yard Enclosure.
eMr. Shannon says the notion was born
In the necessity for economy In the use
of lumber. The old high board fence
costs about three times that OF the the
newer type, and at the same time con-
tributes 20 insanitary surroundings as
well as a sacrifice OF beauty.
Mr.. Shannon does not hope 20 eliminate
the high board fence by an edict OF the
Commissioners or by an act OF Con-
gress. His idea is TO make the picket
fence legal through a municipal ordi-
nance, and then as fast as the old
fences decay replace them by the better
kind. Mr.. Shannon estimates that this
would take not more than fifteen years
House Owners Would Cooperate.
Along with the economy which the
proposition involves it is Mr. Shannon's
hope that house owners and renters
would be fired with an ambition TO fix
up the back yard, making II beautiful
with lawns, creeping vines, and flowers.
and by this means he expects the areas
in O.
Of fine gardens stretching through the
blocks Of the residence portions Of the
city and experimenting the public parks
and spaces IN a way 10 add much 10 the
general attractiveness Of the city.
This idea has been carried out IN the
northern suburbs especially and the re-
suit is all that the advocate Of the
idea claims Back Of all the new rows
Of houses recently built in the suburbs
the owners vie with one another IN
making the back yard attractive. In
some places out there Il IS possible 70
stand at the curb and look down a long
row OF back yards green with weil-kept
lawns and gay with bloom in the summer
time The low fences separating the
plots do not obstruct the view, and
everywhere Is seen the results OF a
friendly rivalry 10 make the back yard a
thing Of beauty and Joy forever
Would Transfer 1t to City.
Having seen Il realized IN the suburbs
AR Shannon wants 10 see the same
plan carried out IN the older sections
of the city where the unsishtly and IN
sanitary high fence prevails. The old
/ type Of fence, eight 10 ten feet high with
the boards nailed tight together, cuts of
all sight Of the back yard from the street
and. according 10 Nj Shannon. aids in
the cultivation Of -slovenly habits among
/ the householders OF the city. The high
fence had its inception in the sense Of
| security which It brought years ago TO
the householder when police protection
was less effective than now and when
/ lumber was cheaper. The need for It
/ has gone. the cost Of 1t is now an i'm
portant factor and Mr.. shannon Is Of
the opinion that the institution should
be sent 70 the limbo Of many OF the
other traditions Of by-gone day
objection to the Plan.
II has been urged against the newer
| type Of fence that in the downtown
| sections fl would throw the back yard
! open 10 the night prowIer and the thiev-
/ ing person who could easily scale it,.
stealing the family wash. the flowers, and
whatever else might tempt his cupidity.
It is urged in reply that the thief can
/ find q way over the high fence or through
/ it when he chooses and that the height
and solidity of the structure has little
to commend it from this source.
Should this idea become operative
] through ordinances at the District Build
| ing. Mr.. Shannon is confident that the
reform viii Immediately recommend It
self TO all classes OF people. and that IN
ten years time the back yard, as it
| exists to-day in the center OF the city.
will disappear forever. Possibly in time
/ the entire fence idea may be abandoned.
as It practically has been IN front in
some parts Of the city. and that curbing
Of concrete will supplant the fence and
give even a wider sweep 70 the parking
! idea in the rear Of the city houses.