The Washington herald., 1914-06-28

given the name of Glen Echo-because
every one who ever came to the glen
would echo its beauties, and want to
come back again.
But the projectors of the scheme must
have overstepped themselves somewhere
Washington came and saw and admired
and wandered of into the woods where
it could have a quiet hour to itself. leav-
ing the educators to educate nothing but
the desert air. Washington rather got
into the habit of going TO the Glen.
carrying its lunch with 1t. For years
Washington went to the Glen. Juggling
all the paraphanalia Of a days pleasure
and il was some load. The only thing
the promoters got out Of the scheme was
praise for having selected SO beautiful
and picturesque a spot to promote. They
were left entirely alone with their mag
nificent auditorium and their lectures.
One day a modest young man visited
the place and bethought him that he
could probably make something out of
it IL he would relieve the perspirfng
visitors of some Of the load were forced
to bring out from the city. And so he
got control Of the place and established
a few little things Ike lunch rooms,
etc. that would make the picnic basket
a thing Of the past. But he overlooked
that section Of human nature that per-
sists in sacrificing itself to the picnic
basket. And therefore he failed to pro-
vide what was wanted. Other men
from Coney Island looked the place over
and here and there put in something
that would please the public-so they
thought. And still the people kept COM
ing. but they carefully refrained from
making fortune for anybody.
Revived Four Years Ago.
And tbar-To four ,,aars ,zo i+ ha,no,a5,
A young man, well known in the
amusement world. L. p. Schloss took a
car ride out to the place. He immedi-
ately recognized it as the most beautiful
point along the upper river. And he also
recognized the wants OF the people who
were toiling up hill and down dale with
the heavy lunch baskets. He knew that
have music to march to and that they
will go farter when they have some
thing to go for.
And so he spent few weeks studying
out the problem and started in with the
idea of putting at Glen Echo the things
that people want when they get there.
Recognizing right of the reel that the
picnic basket is sacred American in
he established places where the
basket could be utilized to its full value.
He advised people not to bring a lot of
the things that made it heavy-he could
furnish them cheaper-but he left the
basket largely intact.
And then he advised them to leave all
the excess baggage in the shape of man.
dolins and guitars and monographs and
such things home-he would provide all
the music that was needed. And to
prove it he installed an orchestra. And
instead Of dancing around in rings on
the bare ground he suggested that
dancing pavilion would be the proper
thing-which he also provided.
Why 1t Is Unique.
That-getting at last down to real |
a unique park. |
Another thing that has aided great |
ly in making the resort what It is to- |
day is the delightful trolley ride up |
the historic Potomac that has no equal |
about the Capital Gradually the car |
service has been increased to meet |
the requirements Of the increased pat
ronage until now the cars run in all
most a constant stream making IL |
possible for park patrons to come and |
go at will without any tiresome delays
Leaving the heart of the city, one
Is whisked into Glen Echo about forty
minutes later after the coolest ride one
can find over the line that is the pride
II the officials of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company.
This is the fourth year the big re-
sort has been under the present man
agement Today il has fifty direrentl
'orms of amusements for the varying
tastes of the people who visit the
park.
Playground for Children.
Perhaps the most unique feature Of the
park is the playground for children. 4
There are very few pleasure parks in the |
country where so complete arrangements /
lave been made for the care Of the little ]
ines. Everything that can possibly amuse I
hem has been put in the section set /
Iside as a playground. II looks like a 1
civic establishment with its 4
lides, its sand piles. swings, etc
The picnic grounds is another impor- H
ant feature. This section of the big
ark has been called the National Capt. II
ais Picnic Grounds" because 20 per cent u
4 the Sunday schools in the city hold
heir annual picnics there. The best of
vater, the most roomy of tables and
'enches, and the pleasantest nooks where
title parties or big ones can seclude
themselves and enjoy lunch in the open
n semi-privacy. II they like. !,
The big Ferris wheel Is constantly I'LL
d. 1t is wonderful experience to make
he trip IN this wheel and from the high
st point in its turning view the city of