Evening star., 1937-06-20

years ago. The present vice presi.
dent and general manager Of Glen
Echo Park is Leonard B. Schloss,
who came here in 1911, ripe with
experience in the amusement busi-
ness. A veteran in the show busi-
ness, he has travelled extensively,
touring the country and looking after
the interests Of such notables as John
L. Sullivan, Howard Thurston, pre-
miere magician, and many others.
The success Of Glen Echo today
lies in the fact that Mr.. Schloss knows
the amusement business from the
ground up, for he started out in life
as an l8-year-old usher in the old
Bush Street Theater in San Fran
cisco, and in six months landed in
the box Office and soon became treas.
urer Of the house. He has made the
place grow from practically nothing
to a great amusement park, with
accommodations for 5000 swimmers
in a pool of 100000 gallons of con-
stantly circulating water with its
Seashore sand beach and separate
pools for young and old. Another Of
its principal attractions is it's Span
ish ballroom, completed four years
ago, at a cost Of $4,000. 1t is 80 by
As feet, has $500 feet of dancing
area, and can comfortably accom-
modate 1900 persons. There are too
many other attractions to mention
here. 1
The writer's personal recollection Of
Glen Echo carries him back to the
Spanish-American War, in 1898, when
he attended Summer light opera
performance at this place shortly
after the call for volunteers for this
war. A New Jersey regiment had
just arrived in Washington, and as
1t was probably a warm night, the
officers, in seeking a cool spot, took
the trolley to this amusement place
and listened to the opera, after which
they entertained the chorus girls with
champagne. Naturally. the folks back
home thought their beloved ones were
having very lonesome time in Wash.
ington while waiting to be sent to
the front. but not so with these brave
soldier boys, for they were having
the time of their lives.
ONE Of the places on the Conduit
road which many will never for
get was the International Athletic
Park, where were held the bicycle
races, and this, too, was In full swing
during the 90s. It Is no longer.
and 1t is hard to locate the exact
spot. though Brookmount seems to
be the place. 1t was about a block
to the south Of the road and Just
inside the District line. Since then
a great change has taken place in
this neighborhood, and where the one
third mile track was once located
now are bungalows and cottages, and
it might be difficult to tell the exact
area included in the park property,
but at least its approximate location
Is still clear in the minds of those
who enjoyed this wholesome sport,
either as participants or merely as
| spectators
This park was quite likely built
and owned by William c. Clark, Of
Clark Brothers, real estate dealers
OF this city, who had their otices at
o05 Thirteenth street, a site now oc-
cupied by the Homer Building, and
their home was on the Conduit road.
known as Castleview. From the be-
ginning. the track was only a dirt
affair; very good when dry and yerv
bad when wet. Later on it was turned
into a board track and races con.
tinued there both during the day.
time and at night, before it was
finally given up.
The grandstand was a good-sized
frame structure, and all things con-
sldered, the park was satisfactory
for the time and purpose. except
possibly for the training quarters.
which were under the grandstand,
Ihese were Of bare plain boards and
might have answered just as we'll
Tor coal bins as for training GUAR.
ters. However, no attention was ever
PAID TO this, as every ones mind
was on the races. Another thing
which seemed foremost in the bows
minds, rather than their comfort os
tne surrounding conditions, was ths
special kind of rundown that was
being used upon them.
Each trainer had his own special
ointment or liniment, the formula Of
which was regarded as profound
secret, and which was deemed tn
nave some magic power II properls
applied. The muscles had to b1,
kneaoed just so and the strokina
done as scientifically as if by a chiro.
practor otherwise, of course, ths
fellow receiving the treatment would
not be at his best in the race to fol.
low, and if the rider happened tn
be IN 10 different races. the same
rundown was administered each time.
and with the same amount of care and
dexterity.
The writer had access to the train.
ing quarters and witnessed the rubS
down performance many times. Hs
recalls the colored boy. Dewey, who
frequently gave helping hand I'd
such racers as needed his services.
As well Is Pop" Ringgold, who was
never more delighted than when act
ing as trainer for someone.
The writer has been on the Con.
duit road several times recently. but
although 1t has far better surfacs
than 1t had in the 90s, when we rode
our bike" on it as far as Great Falls.
and thought nothing of it. yet, some.e
how. it does not appeal to the old
timer as did the same old road 40 or
more years ago.
Eggs Better Graded.