Evening star., 1944-06-06
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TruceueU

Recently this column carried a letter
from a nature lover telling about a
oand OF boys armed with rifles which
ne saw IN Rock Greek Park, The letter.
oy the way, was from one of the finest
sportsmen who ever wore boxing glove
The acting director of the National
Park Service says, in effect, that it lust
isn't so. JAW
He produces statements from members
OF the United States Park Police saving
'tain't so. $40
No report has been made to me or
to any responsible official of the Ma
tonal Capital Parks or to the United
States Park Police" he asserted "of
any such instances I had known that
Tie PARK police occasionally came upon
smaH group of boys playing Com
mahoo' or other war games, usually
WIN harmless toy guns, and that six
ar TlneS ana an equal number of more
dangerous weapons had been taken by
tne ponce from boys at various points
IN the park system during the past year.
only one air rifle was taken in Rock
creek Park. So far as our records are
concerned, we have received no reports
OF dangerous weapons actually having
been discharged, or wildlife or human
beings endangered by Juveniles"
rms statement continues: "I have
OBTAINED statements from several MEM
pers OF the supervisory staff of the
United States Park Police force cover
ing their experiences in this regard
Ihese statements fail to indicate anv
instances of gangs of armed youths in
Ine parks. The confscation of the
aforementioned weapons, however,
would indicate that the park police
nave oeen Vlgllant in this regard
IL Is always possible that an unlawful
act may be perpetrated without appre-
henslon, especially when a park system
consisting OF more than 700 reservations
ana extending over a distance of nearly
%oo miles must be policed by a force
whose strength has been reduced nv
war eXlgencleS to barely 80 men but T
am unaware of any lack of vigilance bv
those on duty and believe that the
united States Park Police force is t,rn-
ing IN commendable performance in
vie" OF existing circumstances"
Nature lovers will welcome this re-
assurance that the park police are on
the job
Washlngtonians love and value their
parks, both large and small, and find in
Ihem recreation, good health and
splendid opportunity to study flowers
SHRUBS, trees, small animals and birds
1heSe precincts are under the patrol
OF remarkable group of men. who have
Iao many years Of experience in han
ollng the problems which come up
NO one should hesitate at anv time
IN getting in touch with them when
something is seen which does not strike
Ihe oeholder as being right.
II report Of a misdeameanor is made
al once TO member of the force stems
can De taken Immediately to apprehend
tne person or persons involved, whereas
II thlS Is not done at once the mis-
delneanor may go unapprehended. since
our larger parks cover many acres.
Small boys playing Indian or Com
ihaido' as at present often carry
guns carved of wood which look sur
prlslngly realistic at a few feet.
IheSe guns are accompanied by sounds
from small human throats supposed to
represent machine gun.
Our award Is to the noise supposed
to represent a tWo-ton truck.
Birds, animals and people will benefit
from the vigilance of the park police.
Owing to our widespread tree systems.
both in the parks and throughout the
city and suburban sections, the National
Capital and environs enjoy the visits
OF about 800 species of birds, those last
ditch defenders against inimical insects,
whose ceaseless vigilance like that of
the police, make possible our enjoyment
of life.