The Washington times., 1918-03-27
WAR WILL HIT
.RECREAT|ON|N
POTOMAC park
NEXT SUMMER
~ BILL PRICE

Unless Congress shows Iiberality IN
appropriations for the next fiscal
year, recreational activities for the
young people OF Washington in Po-
tomac Park will be considerably cur
tailed this summer; this. too. at \
time when washington's youthful
population has increased by thous-
ands owing to the bringing here OF
men and women for work in the Coy
eminent departments and bureaus.
Col c. s. Ridley. superintendent OF
public buildings and grounds. through
his assistant. J. r. Bethune, Is trying
to make the appropriations for the
current fiscal year 90 as far asNpos-
sible toward providing suitable
grounds for athletics in Potomac
Park, and every possible opportunity
will be given the thousands OF
young folks who are now planning
athletic diversions.
The worst blow has been dealt ten
mis- players. although amateur base
ball organizations will find facilities
for the sport somewhat limited this
year. Ralph Evans. secretary and
treasurer of the Bachelors Club OF
the Young Mems Christian Associs-
ton. recently wrote Colonel Ridley
asking about tennis facilities this
year. Until q year ago there were
forty-two tennis courts maintained
by Colonel RidIey's office on public
grounds, and last year 1900 tennis
players obtained permits to use the
courts.
Thirty-EIght Courts wiped Out.
There We're fifteen splendid courts
at Sixth and B streets northwest. on
the site OF the old Pennsylvania sta
tion. where President Garfield was
shot There were twenty-three equal
ly good ones In Potomac Park, near
and B streets. They have
all been wiped out by the erection OF
temporary buildings necessitated BY
the war. Three courts have been
left IN Montrose Park. Georgetown.
and one in GARFIELD Park, southeast.
Colonel Ridley has written Mr..
Evans that there are now being con-
structed ten temporary courts in the
old polo field. north OF the railroad
which will make up In
part the deficiency caused by the
losses of the other courts. Colonel
Ridley foresees that the demands for
tennis will be greater this year than
ever before. but he has not the funds
to make sufficient provision
For baseball there remain four dia-
monds on the Ellipse, just south OF
the White House: seven IN the Monu-
ment grounds east OF Seventeenth
street and one near the new tennis
courts. West Of Seventeenth street
there will be no diamonds this year.
for permits are already
piling up on the desk OF Mr.. Bethune.
The polo field. arranged several
years ago along the river. is undis-
turbed except for some space taken
up for aviation purposes There -
still space for hockey, soccer. football
hurting, and jumping not far from
the bathing pools. maintained by the
District, and the ten miles OF Birdie
paths for horseback riding remain.
The croquet court in Montrose Park
is undisturbed-
The three-hoie practice course for
golfers north OF the tidal basin viii
not be touched. IT is stated This
little course has been in demand for
years by persons unable to maintain
in the regular golf clubs
or unable to spare the time for
eighteen holes OF play.
East Potomac Park Plans Delayed.
The plans of Colonel Harris. former
approved by Congress
appropriations in the last
few years, to make a splendid re-
creation field out of East Potomac
Park. are held back by a number OF
causes. One Is that the army now
has a small cantonment located ON
part of these grounds. Another Is
mat appropriatIons are greatly re-
stricted. There are 300 acres in this
park, along one side OF which flows
the Georgetown channel OF the Po-
tomac and on the other side. the
channel Last year the
Boy Scouts of Washington raised
corn crop on part OF this land.
The plans OF Congress called for
the establishment in this park OF two
public golf courses. thirty-six tennis
picnic grounds. Fairgrounds.
boating harbors and a splendid Held
house near the center, to be equipped
with shower baths. lockers. etc. The
building Is to cost $500 900. and part
OF the money for 1t was authorized.
From this appropriation the founda-
lions were dug and the walls are now
being constructed 1t Is presumed
Congress will at this session make
further appropriations to continue
the work on the building.
Walter J. Travis, several times golf
champion OF the United states, dreW
the plans for the two golf courses.
one OF which was to be eighteen holes
and the other nine holes He PLAN
ned greens. bunkerS, and fairways and
some work was done. Mr.. Travis be-
lieved that the nature OF the ground
would enable him to construct the nm
est public golf course in the United
States
New Bathing Beach.
Congress appropriated $4,000 for =
new bathing beach on the south side
OF the tidal basin and work on Js-is
has been going on some time. This
IL about four squares north of where
the Fourteenth streets cars cross into
Virginia. A beach 500 feet long and
$50 feet wide Is being made rom
a clay foundation upon which sand a
foot deep Is being dumped. Construe-
ton of the bathhouse may be de-
layed because of inadequate money.
Last year public bathing facilities for
were woefully inadequate
AMI 1t had been hoped that the new
beach would aid in supplying the
Eortage.