Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-21
Increased Fairgrounds and
Use of School Grounds in
Capital Urged.
BAD CONDITIONS HINDER
GROWTH OF CHILDREN
Richard Watrous Declares Yards
Should Be Improved-Value of
Breathing Places Cited.

More parks. more Fairgrounds and a
more extended use of schoolhouses and
school yards in Washington We're urged
AT a meeting of the Federal Woman S
Equality Association at the New Ebbitt
House yesterday afternoon. Edgar S.
Martin. supervisor of Fairgrounds; Rich
ard Watrous. secretary Of the American
Civic Association, and Mrs. W. E. An
drews. president of the District Fedora
ton of Women's Clubs, were the speakers.
Illustrated lectures showing what can
he done in Washington and what has
been done in other cities toward develop
ing the park systems We're given by Mr..
Watrous and Mr. Martin. Both advo-
Gated the building of several more ''serv-
ice" parks in and near Washington
Vote to Work for Parks.
On motion of Mrs. Andrews, the associ-
alton voted to work for park in the
section of the city west Of 18th street,
and between Florida avenue and Park
road. 1t was declared by several of the
women that there are now no park
areas in this section of Columbia
Heights and that park OF some klho
is very badly needed.
Mr. Watrous quoted extensively from
an address of j. Horace Mcfarland presl-
dent of the American Civic Association
delivered in Washington last DECEMBER:
on the development of the service park
idea In this address Mr.. Mcfariand
said that every city should have at least
one acre of parks for each 100 inhab-
itants. -.
reared amid bad conditions cannot well
grow up to be good citizens. Not every
body can have parks at their very doors,
ne said but almost everybody can I'M
prove their yards and make them at
tractive. He showed stereopticon views
of DAYTON Ohio. Harrisburg, Pa;
Wilkes-Barre. Pa: Memphis, Tenn: Kan
sas City, Mo-. and other cities to illus
trate how ugly spots had been turned
into parks -
money to invest will choose the city with
sufficient parks and Fairgrounds, MI.
Watrous continued
Ideal System of Parks.
THE ideal system of parks for q, city
today is a system of not necessarily large
parks within easy reach of the people. a
few great parks far from the people do
little real good, because they benefit only
the few"
Speaking of the park system of the
District and its possibilities, MIR. Watrcus
pointed out that the small circles and
parks throughout the city give breathing
spots He alsp said that Washington
has an ideal plan for parks, a plan
drawn up by great men wna. thoroughly
knew their business. The plan should be
strictly adhered to, he said.
Rock creek at present is discr~4At
to Washington" he continued land it is
very pleasant to think of the changes we
are going to get. Finally Congress has
acted. 1t is no longer TO be standing
disgrace, but will be a wonderful garden
spot"
Mr.. watrous said there is a tendency
for individuals to boom small park
projects in different parts of the city.
They should be careful, he said, and not
work for any project which does not
At in with the Mcmillan plan.
Billboard Nuisance.
He also spoke about the billboard
nuisance. and told the members of the
association of the order OF the Commits
sioners that no new ones be erected. He
asked them to report any they saw in
process of erection to the Commission
ers.
Mr.. Martin. speaking of Willow Tree
alley. said that steps should be taken for
treating ii as a playground when 1t Is
improved in accoSdance with legislation
already passed by CGrgress. This legis-
Iation provides that it be Improved as an
interior park. There will be some money
left from the appropriation after the tract
has been improved, he said and this
should be used for buying playground
apparatus.
4 department Of recreation. TO have
charge of all forms of recreation in the
District. was advocated by Mr.. Martin.
He also said that steps should be taken
to have the public school buildings used
as social. civic and recreation we'll as
educational centers There will be a
time when moving pictures will be shown
in schooihouses he said, and when all
kinds of beneficial movements viii be
started and carried on through the
schools. He showed views of>>T2hool-
houses in other cities illustrating hdw
they are used. Under a law in force n
the District the buildings can only be
used for strictly educational purposes.
Clubhouse Is Desired.
Mrs. Andrews, who told of the desire
Of the Federation Of Womens Clubs to
build clubhouse in the District to be
used in. forwarding many useful pur-
poses. said that the people of Washing
ton do not realize their privileges. They
should show definite aims she said and
strive always to make Washington the
most beautiful capital in the world.
Members OF the association were invited
10 attend the meeting of the Illinois vice
commission in the New Willard Hotel to-
morrow afternoon.
TWO WIN ARMY HONORS.