Evening star., 1937-08-01
Life at Washington
in Summertime.
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN,

"NAASAiSS, biiC NHlSIIdIl pCOpAc, LIlS
preston that the most fun that is to be
found at the National Capital is fur
nished by the cantrips and antics Of
senators and Representatives in Con-
gress. 1t Is true that, sometimes in tho
course OF session and always at the
close OF one, certain air Of festivity
finds circulation and expression, but
that is not what really is meant by life
at Washington.
Uncle Sam is good uncle in many
ways. At his capital he has provided
many amusements for his innumerabls
nieces and nephews. They are not the
indoor amusements of Congress but
rather quite outdoor things for the most
part.
One can be taken through DAYS Of re-
Taxation of various types The National
Park Service has charted what can be
done and like those newspaper services
which give to unimaginative or tired
housewives menus for each day OF the
week, tells what resident Of Washing
ton or visitor to it's many shrines can
do when he wants to get away from the
fountain head Of much Of the history Of
his country and all that, and still wants
to be on the spot.
One may set forth on Monday morn
ing. the National Park Service says, and
play golf on the Rock Creek Park course
This Is supposed to be little short of what
ST. Andrews has to offer The turf is de-
clared by experts to be excellent and
there are club house facilities which are
adequately desirable. There is a charge
OF 25 cents for use OF the course, but.
after ALL when one considers the cost o.
the upkeep of private courses. that is not
very much. Uncle Sam pays most of the
bill.
In the afternoon. one may swim In
the brand-neW pool in East Potomac
Park. The water comes through filter
ing system which makes it as clear and
pure as any drinking water. There are
springboards for diving, there are caba-
mas, there are umbrella-shaded tables for
refreshments. There is a charge, but it
is only Is cents. One must bring his own
bathing suit, but the fee includes towels
and dressing room.
Dancing in the street usually IL re-
garded as an Old World entertainment.
The very idea smacks of places from
"AiAAAA OiIIN oul dlll tlllISHS nave
arrived But every Monday night, on
the South EllipSe road but short dis
tance from the White House, there is
dancing in the street. The music Is pro-
vided by an orchestra which is employed
through the instrumentality of Federal
works project. II one does not care TO
participate himself, the sight OF dancing
couples is a sufficiently entertaining
10
as. from not far distant buildings. flood
lights are thrust like fingers Of brilliance
upon the adjacent Washington Monu-
ment.
For the next day, the National Park
Service suggests that you go forth again
in Rock Creek Park to see the many wild
creatures that are preserved there. There
are no grizzly bears nor any moose. but
there are innumerable small creatures
for which the place is preserve.
There one may see, with care. the
raccoon, or flush the ring -necked pheas-
ant. In the afternoon, the resident or
the visitor may repair to Potomac Park
where three days a week he may see the
teams Of the United States Cavalry play
polo. Material for American teams that
60 to birmingham to play the interna.
tional matches is sometimes created be-
fore the spectator eyes at Potomac Park
In Washington. There is no charge
whatever to see these games.
In the evening. one may go to the Dis
trict of Columbia Memorial. which is a
Greek ediflce, circular in shape columned
and domed, which stands in grove like
that Of Ashtaroth. little distance from
the Lincoln Memorial Rejecting Pool, an
expanse Of water which now is rippled
by the breeze, now placid. There sits
the United States Marine Band. among
| the more famous musical organizations
| of the world, playing, for the most part,
| classical music.
Then. again. for golf addicts there is
| Anacostia Park, more Federal ground,
| where one may find a sporty course
| Some miles away, but still In Washing
| ton. there is the Takoma Park swimming
| pool, where one may cool of.
On another morning, any other morn
ing, one may 60 to one of Uncle Sans
| tennis courts. It'would be trifle anus
| ing IL some caricaturist should depict the
| usually dignif1ed figure Of Uncle Sam In
| seeded players at Forest Hills in this
| country and at Wimbledon in England,
slashing and going into dances in the
stress of play, but it would not be out Of
| place. For, on courts amid more beauti-
full surroundings than often can be found
| elsewhere, those same nieces and neph-
| ews of Uncle Sam, under his tolerant eve,
may play tennis to their hearts content.
| When the courts are not busy. which Is
| seldom. there is no charge, but. in sea =
! sons when they are, courts may be re-
| hour.
1t is said that there are more mem
bers OF the 1zaak Walton League than
| OF any other private organization, II one
| exceptS those with a religious or semi
| religious purpose. They run into the
millions and, when members come to
| Washington. Uncle Sam provides them
not only with the Potomac River, which
| has fish in plenty, but with the more
carefully garnished Tidal Basin - old
Twining Lake-where also one may drop
a line, with a substantial expectation OF
reward.
At any season of the year there Is
much to see at the National Capital,
whether 1t concern the stately structures.
or the many parks and the miles OF
historic residences. In Summer, IN
Spring. and in the crisp days Of autumn.
there are some very special allures The
National Park Service has built in Rock