Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-19
CLUB HEARS PLEA
FOR PARK FUNDS
Experts Urge Bond Issue to
Secure Needed Areas
Now Available.

Desirabiity of a District bond issue
to finance Immediate purchase of park
areas essential to the proper recrea
tional development and Identification
of the National Capital. which will
be unavailable in few years. was
stressed yesterday at an open forum
luncheon meeting Of the Women g
City Club. addressed by park and
playground experts.
Lieut. Col. l. s Grant, 3rd director
of public buildings and public parks
of the National Capital, emphasized
the need of cooperation between all
of the various interests. each of them
working for the development OF the
community. pointing out that the
development of Washington has suf-
fered in the past from antagonism."
Col. Grant explained that the in
itial cost Of lands used for parks and
Fairgrounds is largely discounted
through lowered costs of urban inn
provements made through the land.
There are three types of parks essen
tial here, he said. ranging from "a
little bit of country" like Rock Greek
Park. to Fairgrounds for younger
children and recreationai centers for
others.
Immediate Purchase Urged.
we are going to lose the possible
Use of desirable tracts for park de
Velopment unless we can secure them
Immediately" warned Charles F. Con
saul of the American Civic Associa
ton and past president of the Mount
Pleasant Citizens Association
IF we can get bond issue. say of
$4,000. 000" he continued I'VE are
going to acquire what it would not be
possible to obtain ) or 10 years later.
This plan is building for the future.
and represents a legitimate excuse
for a bond issue because it is for the
permanent good, and the bOndholders
would be investing their money in
stead of pairing current expenses with
it
Representative Frank Il. Funk
chairman of the District subcommit
tee on appropria lions. stated that the
District should be required to issue
bonds to finance the park develop
ment. and that he is very much in
accord with the development program
not only for the material side of the
District of Columbia but for the
esthetic side He urged the pro-
curement and preservation of the
wooded tracts of the District, and
promised an openminded and willing
hearing To all District interests which
might appear before him.
No Objection to Bond
Miss Harlean James, executive sec
retarv of the American Civic Asso-
citation. told of the history of the play
grounds. emphasized various points in
favor of the bond issue and stated
further that the purchase of park
lands represents a capital investment,
and there is no fundamental objec-
ton to the issuance of bonds for the
purchase of the land
Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes, supervisor
of District Fairgrounds, acted as
toastmistress, and explained the need
for additional playground facilities,
stating that the school Fairgrounds
are overcrowded and do little more
than keep the children off the streets
and more playground space, particu
larry in parks, is needed. She said
there should be no more than 800
children to the playground acre, and
went into detail concerning the num-
Der of children now served by the
Fairgrounds and the number of ath
letic teams using the grounds.
Mrs. j. Garfield Riley. president of
the club, opened the meeting. Mrs.
Ernest Thompson Seton, one of the
guests, made few remarks appre-
ciative of the playground development
plans. Representative Zihlman, chair
man of the House District commit
tee, attended the luncheon.