The Washington herald., 1911-02-22

respect, the development of parks in
general, especially Rock Creek Park, and
a public golf course for the Capital is
the work being undertaken by the COM
mittee on parks and reservations of the
Board of Trade, as declared by that body
| yesterday afternoon
Following a mass meeting Monday
might at Continental Hall. in which
President Taft gave his hearty approval
! for the construction of more adequate
parking for Washington, the Board of
Trade committee is ready to start an
active campaign, with a view of educat-
| ing the people to the advantages of more
parks for the welfare of future genera
tions. if not for the present.
Sentiments of Committee.
Voieing the sentiments of the commit
tee, r. B. Watrous advocated series
of mass meetings to be held in different
sections of the city, so that all citizens
may attend and understand just what the
movement means, and become active
workers for the cause Mr.. Watrous
while giving much credit to the members
of the Washington Society of Fine Arts,
under whose supervision the Continental
Hall meeting was held was of the opin-
District feel that something beyond their
comprehension is being undertaken, and
that it will be necessary to come down
to ordinary meetings to gain the desired
results.
In speaking of the plan to improve
Rock Creek valley. the president of the
committee. Judge Charles S. Bundy, said
that as the Capital of the nation, any
money spent in parkings or in other
haa
will not only benefit Washington. but
will be a credit to each and every State
He went further and said it was the
duty of Congress to get busy and open
the Golfers for this cause.
1t was announced that through the ef-
forts OF Albion K Paris, the unsightIy
dumping ground at the intersection OF
Twenty-fOurth street and Rock Creek
was TO be done away with. The Assistant
Engineer Commissioner Yesterday recon-
mended to the Commissioners that the
dumping of ashes and refuse into the
creek at that point cease Immediately.
Regarded as an Eyesore.
If this is done. one of the eyesores OF
the city will be remedied, as complaints
have been made for years about this
particular dump heap. Thousands of
tons of smoky, dusty, unsightly ashes
have been piled on the banks of the
beautiful stream at this point, and if the
Commissioners see fit to order a stop put
to it, big stride will have been taken
in the efforts being made by private citi-
zens and citizens associations to pre- |
serve and beautify Rock Creek.
Capt. Brooke recommends that not an
ash be dumped there after April Is, 1911, |
and said further:
Il believe the Commissioners should |
take the initiative in the matter of stop |
ping the practice of dumping in Rock |
Creek Valley by closing the dump to pub
lie contractors. The only contractor now
using this dump is the contractor for
the disposal of ashes. and it appears
from the terms of his contract that il
is entirely practicable to deny him the
use of these grounds without any modi-
ncation Of the terms of the present con-
tract
Unless the public shows more enthusi-
aSm and gives the Board OF Trade COM
mittees more ground to work on it seems
probable that nothing will come of the /
public golfing course 4
Speaking for the committee, W. j. Ey-
non said that the proposed location in
Potomac Park would not be large enough |,
10 install ar lS-hole course, and that a i
'-hole course would be Inadequate LA
bic to dangerous congestion, inasmuch as
there is some danger from a badly put
golf ball.
Mr.. Eynon was of the opinion that
rubllc golf course, in a city where not
more than 600 persons play regularly, :
would not prove sufficiently popular to
an expenditure sufficient to put
he grounds in good order. He said that
f the bare space was donated. it would
'equire at least an initial sum of $4,000
o fix it in shape and an appropriation to
maintain it.
Would Send Out Letters.
Judge Bundy was not enthusiastic on
he proposition and suggested that letters :
e sent to other cities where public golf :
curses are maintained and get data COW
ring cost and ascertain how popular
hey were.
The committee decided to forego any
urther action until the public made
nown its desires by letter or in person. :,
as many as 800 come forward and q
nnounce themselves to be in favor of the c
curse, then the Board of Trade says It
ill have something to work on.
The committee was frank to say that
its opinion. the city would be more S
enefited by improvement at Rock Creek !
ark and more Fairgrounds than by
eld devoted to sport only. n