The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-16
NEED MORE WALKS
That Is the Best Way To Pre-.
serve Lawn Grass.
People Cannot Be Kept OH
State House Grounds.
TAKE The SHORTEST WAY
University of Michigan Has
Novel Plan That Works.
Students Make Walks By Beat
ing Down Paths.
WEDNESDAY.

There has been some recent talk to
the effect that the well-known law of
supply and demand might be put into
effect on the state house grounds.
Decorating several points on the
grounds are nice. new shiny sign
boards. Invariably these are at the
beginning of a path across the
grounds. The signs ask persons to re-
frain from walking on the paths be-
cause it is desired that grass may grow
there some day. About all that grows
on the state house grounds is dande-
lions.
The well worn paths leading in a
variety of clearly defined directions
prove unquestionably that there is a
where the paths are.
There can be no doubt that walks
winding perhaps as those already in
the grounds. would prove q solu-
ton of the trouble. They would
also serve to enhance rather than
mar the beauty Of the grounds
True the paths are not attractive.
However. the demand for shorter cuts
thru the grounds where IL is possible
to cut off walking distance is so in
sistent that it will be impossible to
prevent the paths unless guards are
pldCc0 On the 6IOunOS 10 prevent LnSIIl
beink walked on. The demand will
remain as long as there are any per-
sons who cross the state house
grounds either on their way to or from
work down town.
Let People Have Way.
At the University of Michigan II is
almost an established custom that
when new buildings are constructed
no walks are built leading to them for
several months, as in that length of
time the most desirable location for
the walk has been marked out in
paths by countless pounding Of feet
taking the closest route to the build
ing. When the paths have become
firmly established and are the ac-
cepted route then the officials recog-
nize the demand for a walk in that
location and put in walk. Further.
when various changes in schedules
give rise to an indication that a new
path is appearing on the campus. they
recognize the impossibilfty of trying
to make persons walk on a certain
sidewalk when there Is a more desira-
/ BILE path and Immediately put in a
new sidewalk. The path does not
have to be followed absolutely as is
demonstrated by the curving lines OF
I the walks around the state house al
present. Still they lead in the gen.
| eral direction Of a short cut across
the grounds and there is no difficulty
experienced in getting people TO use
them
However. It is not convenient for
other persons to follow these walks
and they have made paths in the d.
rection where there is the greatest de-
mand for new sidewalk
Add To Beauty.
I More walks on the state house
/ grounds and more gardens in irregu-
! lar locations about the grounds would
I add to rather than detract from the
I questionable present beauty OF the
grounds
It IL about time the state officials
/ did something actual and constructed
few walks where they are needed
rather than stick up a lot of signs
/ telling people TO keep off when they
know they have never kept off. dc
not keep off, and are not going "a
keep off. city beautiful advocate
I says The signs do no good. People
read them and say. We'll why don't
they put in walks where they are
needed then"