The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-04-19
WORK OF A vANDAL
Abuse Of Statesmen chalked on
the Capitol.
LEVI p. MORTON COMING BACK
Report That He viii "Improve' HIa
Beautiful Rhode island Avenue
House Alarms the Lovers
Of Beauty.
nY oEoRoE CLINTON.


grievance or with an unbalanced mind
has been scribbling on the walls Of
the capitol in "a large. free hand"
with blue chalk various uncomplImen-
tary comments about great and al
most great statesmen doing their
country's service IN Washington. No
matter what the motive which In
spires the scribbling. the act 10 one
Of yandal because 1t dIsfigures the
walls OF the building, and the police
and the watchmen are trying to catch
the culprlt.
IL will be remembered that not long
ago a large piece was cut out OF the
oil painting OF Perry at Lake Erie
Since then special watch has been
kept TO prevent repetitions OF the van,
dallsm.
False Alarm About Webster.
Washington was much disturbed a
day or two ago when II heard that
somebody with chisel had Clipped
pieces out OF the marble trousers and
the marble coattail Of the statue Of
Daniel Webster which stands IN
statuary hall A close inspection hos
led 10 the discovery that the Webster
memorial has not been injured by the
hand OF man. Elliott Woods. the SUI
perintendent OF the capitol, says that
the holes which were discovered In
the Webster statue we're put there by
the sculptor and have been plainly Wis.
ible ever since the statue was erected,
Some one suggested that the vandal
who was at work was new kind Of
moth which had developed an appe-
tite for marble garments.
Former Vice, President Levi p, MOI.
ton has made up his mind to come
back and live in the capital for eight
or nine months year for the rest OF
his life. Ho owns beautiful resi-.
denee on Rhode Island avenue, where
he lived when he was vice.president
az the United States under Harrison.
When Mr.. Morton went out OF Office
/ the Russian ambassador moved into
the residence and, following aim. came
Secretary of State Elihu Root, and
then John Hays Hammond. Mr.. Nor
ton himself lived there for few
months two years ago.
Morton Mansion in Peril.
4 There is fine arts commission
which is supposed to take cognizanct
Of every attempt to increase the beau
ty Of the capital. a cognizance which
embraces the overlooking OF improve
ments in public buildings The wisl
has been expressed that the commits
1 ed NssA q,
private dwellings, for some OF th'
beautiful old places In Washington
have been remodeled by their social!
ambitious purchasers into mere resi-
dence monstrOs!ties, In many case
glarinE and In most cases unbeautiful
Il is understood that Vice-Presi
dent Morton intends to spend $4,000
10 improve his Rhode Island avenu'
home. Today II is beautiful as 1t is
a warm red brick pleasing to lool
upon and suggestive In every way o
comfort 1t Is now said that II is in
tended 10 give the house a MITE state
~ appearance by the introduction o
white marble In places. The oil
house has been comfort to the ey
Of many Washingtonlan man an,
visitors, and the changes are awaite,
with trepidation
children's Playground Lost.
Washington, with all her monument
and statues, good. bad and Indifferent
and all her vacant land, still has nc
space left In which to erect public ms
MORALS, and II ought to be said ais
that projects more necessary to III
public health than marble statues, Xix
Fairgrounds for the children, cannc
be- thought OF apparently because {
; lack OF room.
For two years by means OF prIvat
subscriptions, for example, a littl
} grove az the corner Of Fomteent
street and Columbia road has bee
used as playground and fitted u
for the children, IL was covered wit
! oak trees OF priceless value, as far 0
their shade qualities are eoncerne
3 and was one Of the most picturesqu
! spots IN the city II Is In the heaI
. OF a thlckly settled district where
. is cruelty to keep children With
4 doors and a continual danger to !,
J. them out on the streets.
r Nevertheless congress, which won
; spend $4,000 for Federal buildir
}. In a town OF PSI inhabitants, ne
D aeeted to secure this breathing spac
d The magnificent oak trees are beir
(. cut down, and where last summer Il
4 place was alive with children. a far
lily hotel viii stand.
o Many Monuments Projected.
y Should congress be in a giyil
+. mood toward the shades of the d
% parted. 1t is a question where su
d able sites for memorials could be {
a tanned. The demand for space Is
l. sistent. and the senate committee
le library has record of no less III
e eight requests, while the house co
"a mittee doubtless has as many mo
to A bill appropriating 100000 for
az statue of Alexander Hamilton alrea
.d has passed the senate.
The sum Of $4,000 is wanted FOR