The Nevada County picayune., 1912-04-19
Abuse of Statesmen Chalked on
 the Capitol.
LEVI p. MORTON COMING BACK
Report That He VIII "improVe" Ills Beautiful Rhode Island Avenue House Alarms the Lovers
 of Beauty.
By GEORGE CLINTON.

the capitol in "a large, free hand with blue chalk various uncomplimen- tary comments about great and al most great statesmen doing their countrys service in Washington. No matter what the motive which in- spires the scribbling, the act Is one of yandal because 1t disfgures the walls of the building. and the police and the Watchmen are trying to catch the culprit
 It will be remembered that not long ago a large piece was cut out of the oil painting of Perry at Lake Erie Since then a special watch has been kept to prevent repetitions of the van dalism.
 False Alarm About Webster.
 Washington was much disturbed day or two ago when 1t heard that somebody with a 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 has led to 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 were put there by the sculptor and have been plainly wis lble 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- dte for marble garments.
 Former Vice-President Levi r. Nor ton has made up his mind to come back and live in the capital for eight or nine months a year for the rest of his life. He owns a beautiful resi- dence on Rhode Island avenue, where he lived when he was vice-president of the United States under Harrison. When Mir. Morton went out of office the Russian ambassador moved into the residence and, following him, came Secretary of State Elihu Root, and then John Hays Hammond Mir. Nor ton himself lived there for a few months two years ago.
 Morton Mansion In Peril.
 There Is a fine arts commission which is supposed to take cognizance of every attempt to increase the beau ty of the capital, cognizance which embraces the overlooking of improve ments in public buildings. The wish has been expressed that the commis- sion might extend It's espionage to private dwellings, for some of the beautiful old places in Washington have been remodeled by their socially ambitious purchasers into mere resi- dence monstrosities, In many cases glaring and in most cases unbeautiful.
 1t Is understood that VicePresi- lent Morton intends to spend S60.000 to improve his Rhode Island avenue home. Today 1t Is beautiful as 1t Is. a warm red brick pleasing to look upon and suggestive in every way of comfort. It Is now said that 1t Is in- tended to give the house a more state ly appearance by the introduction of white marble in places. The old house has been a comfort to the eye of many Washingtonian man and visitors, and the changes are awaited with trepidation.
 Chidrens Playground Lost.
 Washington, with all her monuments and statues. good. bad and indifferent, and all her vacant land, still has not space left in which to erect public me morials. and 1t ought to be said also that projects more necessary to the public health than marble statues, like playgrounds for the children, cannot be thought of apparently because of lack of room.
 For two years by means of private subscriptions. for example, a little grove at the corner of Fourteenth street and Columbia road has been used as a playground and fitted up for the children. It was covered with oak trees of priceless value, as far as their shade qualities are concerned, and was one of the most picturesque spots in the city It is in the heart of a thickly settled district, where 1t is a cruelty to keep children within doors and a continual danger to let them out on the streets.
 Nevertheless congress which would SItAQ SIOtDVU TUT HtQ6Idl uuILuiD6 in a town of PSI inhabitants, neg nected 10 secure this breathing space The magnificent oak trees are being cut down. and where last summer the place was alive with children, a fam fly hotel will stand
 Many Monuments Projected.
 Should congress be In giving mood toward the shades of the de parted. f is question where suit able sites for memorials could be ob- tained The demand for space is in. sisJent, and the senate committee on library has record of no less than eight requests, while the house com. nrtae doubtless has as many more. A bill appr0pTiating sl0oo00 for a statue of Alexander iII"milton already has passed the senate.
 Tho eur,9 of S5O OOO is wanted for n