Evening star., 1947-07-22

on on tns ns ,'s'n':S esnreS "a YSX[Hk
some kind of
outdoor recreation and playground facilities.
This of course, requires action by the proper
city authority.
AL of the authorities that have contacted
agree that these children are entitled to and
should have playground and other outdoor
recreational facilities. They say that the area
to which I refer is only one of many that need
recreational facilities for the boys and girls out
side of school hours But their answer is that
there is nothing that we can do" The laws or
regulations under which they act do not permit
them to buy the necessary property and equip
ment and to secure the proper supervision, etc.
Money is not available, etc., etc.
have talked, also, with others who are
endeavoring to secure needed outdoor facilities
for the children of their neighborhoods and they
have gotten the same answer, that 1t cannot be
DONE suspect that each citizens association
in Washington has petitioned the city authori-
ties for one or more recreational centers.
believe the authorities, that their hands are
tied, but where there is such an acknowledged
worthy need there surely must be remedy. The
remedy might require a complete revision of our
local recreational system and possibly Of our
school system, but if that is necessary why not
have it done? The people pay taxes for the
support of the school system to train the chill
dren mentally for 9 months during the year.
Why should not we, the people, pay for their
physical protection and development?
For instance why could not the school system
be extended to include the three summer months
for the children at city owned camp or farm
under the supervision of specially trained super
visors paid by the school authorities? The city
maintains farm for those convicted of certain
crimes Why not so help the children who are
not criminals?
do not claim to have the right answer to
this great need, but do believe that there Is
workable answer. Our problem Is to f1nd the
answer and surely there is some one or group
of persons who can ind it. I also believe that If
our local papers would use their influence in
trying to find an answer the answer would be
found. HERBERT L. BROOKS.
Gen. Early's Great.Niece Testi6es
To the Editor Of The Star:
The Star of July 10 carried an account
of pageant celebrating the 83d anniversary
of Gen. Jubal A. Early's demand upon Fred
erick, Nd for q 100000 ransom. This article
goes on to tell something of the succeeding
action Of Gen. Early's troops and his attempt
to take Washington, from which quote the
following: There are those who believe that
Washington was saved two days later when
Gen. Early and his officers having reached
Rockville on July 10 and entered the District
on July IL, lost the battle because, according
to legend, they made their headquarters at
Montgomery Blair's house in Silver Spring and
drank his whisky. That story may be unfair
to great general, but the fact remains that
he only got as far as Fort Stevens"
A. of Earl for
feel that even as q legendary statement, this
very definitely is unfair; and for the benefit
of readers whose knowledge Of Civil War his
tory may be hazy, should like to present the
actual facts.
Following the battle of Monocacy and the
above mentioned demand upon Frederick July
8, 1864, the way to Washington being clear, Gen.
Early led his troops as quickly as possible to
the environs of Rockville on July 10, making
daybreak start for Washington July II. When
they arrived that afternoon, his men were
worn out from succession Of rapid marches,
terrific heat and suffocating dust, there having
been no rain; many collapsed along the way,
having had but little rest so that they were in
no condition to be put into immediate action.
Had they been fresh enough and strong enough
Early might have been able to do more than
just give the city q scare. But with his weak
ened army of 5000 (of whom he said not more
than one-third could have been carried into
action ito have rushed my men blindly against
the Notifications would have been worse than
folly" So while he allowed his men to get
some rest, he himself spent the afternoon
reconnoitering. After dark he consulted with
Gems. Breckenridge, Rodes, Gordon and
Ramseur and, being very reluctant to abandon
the project of capturing Washington, he de-
termined to make an assault the next morning
at daybreak.
However. during the night, a dispatch was
received from Gen. Bradley T. johnson outside
Baltimore that two corps had arrived from
Gen. Grants army and that probably his
whole army was in motion. Gen. Early says
in his memoirs: This caused me to delay the
attack until could examine the works again
and as soon as it was light enough to see, I
rode to the front and found the parapet lined
with troops. I had therefore reluctantly to
give up all hopes of capturing Washington after
I had arrived in sight Of the dome OF the
Capitol and given the Federal authorities
terrible fright. A glance at the map will
cause the intelligent reader to wonder, not why
1 failed to take Washington but why had
the audacity to approach it as I did, with the
small force under my command"
Another error In The Star account was that