Evening star., 1937-06-05


ideal occasions for = large number OF
people to spend several hours In lovely
refreshing surroundings, and at the
same time enjoy, In a special manner
the great music of all time. The sue
cess Of the Water Gate concerts, es-
pecially in the attendance, amply
demonstrated the advisability OF this
type Of out-of-door entertainment for
the Capital City.
A few years ago, when people found
themselves with unaccustomed leisure,
there was much talk Of how it could
be used constructively and the cul-
tural benefit to be derived from this
enforced slowing up Of business in
terests. Naturally, those wishing to
follow this advice would not care to
be limited to one season of the year
for its pursuit. Summer entertain
ment sprang up all over the country
and many cities constructed elaborate
outdoor auditoriums from their own
funds or through the help Of the
w. P. A. AL such efforts to direct the
employment OF leisure time to cultural
paths have proven a boon to working
people and to students As we'll In
Washington. In particular. the Water
Gate Concerts were a godsend, and
in many cases, good music was en-
joyed for the first time. Glancing
around q Water Gate audience, any
observer would have been impressed
with the cross section type which
patronized the concerts.
IT Is doubly pity that this en-
deavor. which proved its feasibility.
must be abandoned. The site is ideal,
with the stately and noble Lincoln
Memorial in the background, and
the view toward Arlington In the FORE
ground. Here, in hallowed environ
ment. beside the calm and historic
river, with nature adding its beauty
on moonlight nights, the tired workers
Of the city, the young students, musi-
clans, and lovers OF music gathered to
have a still finer insight into the in
exhaustible marvels of music given
them. One had but to notice the rapt
expressions on most Of the faces to
realize that the reaction to these pro-
grams, presented in this manner.
came from the very depths OF the
hearts Of those listening.
The project for Summer entertain
ment at the Water Gate simply must
not be abandoned, and it is to be
hoped that something will be done to
make it a permanent affair. Un-
doubtedly, the National Park Service,
which assisted 80 nobly in making the
initial attempts success, feels re-
gretful at the thought that all the
effort and money spent have accom-
plished nothing durable. The first
year the barge, generously supplied
by the Navy Department. had to be
recalled for coaling purposes in Nor
folk, necessitating the dSmantling
Of the expensive superstructure. Last
season a shell said to have cost around
$1,000 was placed on the ground and
was but temporary contrivance, not
thoroughly adequate for concerts and
certainly not for larger affairs.
II all this money, spent in tempo
rary arrangements from year to year,
could be consolidated upon some ar
rangements Of permanent character
the city would be assured of being
able to present not only symphonic
concerts but opera, ballets and spec
tacles. The Water Gate site can be
made one Of the most attractive al
fresco auditoriums in the country
with little analysis Of the problems
involved. There are many physical
obstacles to be overcome, but it Is
not impossible to do SO. The main
diniculty Is in providing q base for .
stage that would remain for the plac-