Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-05-08
Letters to The Star
Advocates Bicycle Path Along
Mount Vernon Highway


Mount Vernon Highway
To the EDITOR Of The star:
The next time the subject Of I'M
proving the recreational facilities OF
the Washington area comes up, won
der If you would use the influence Of
your paper to see that some considera-
ton Is given to the construction Of q
hard-srrface bicycle path along the
river between Memorial Bridge and
Mount Vernon.
It is difficult to conceive Of project
which would benefit more people, both
children and adults, at comparatively
little cost. No additional land would
have to be acquired, there being ample
room for such path along the Mount
Vernon Memorial highway. The cost
of construction should be less than that
of paving few city blocks. At rela-
lively little cost, too, the trail could be
extended north through Rock Greek
Park, bringing it within a short dis
lance Of much of Northwest Wash
ington.
Car owners in Washington are in q
minority. Surely the rest Of the popula-
ton ought to be given a chance to get
out In the open air on week ends. BIZ
cycling is an ideal way to see the coun-
try and an ideal form of exercise as
strenuous as one wishes to make it, but
no more so. And after the initial cost
of the wheel, 1t Is free. Even without
any paths, thousands OF persons in the
District and vicinity have bought BIZ
cycles, and every week end hundreds
of them-of all ages-are out on the
highways. Unfortunately, under present
conditions, they do SO at the risk Of
their lives. Ask any cyclist-or motor
list either
Every year, meanwhile, millions of
dollars are spent locally on improving
the streets for motorists. The Dupont
Circle underpass alone will cost several
millions. Is there any hope that few
thousands may be spent for those Of
us who cannot afford cars or who would
like to see something more Of trees and
sky than can be glimpsed through q
ing highway? G. O., Jr.
Protests Against "Snoopers"
To the Editor Of The Star:
It was with disgust that noticed an
article In The Star reporting shoppers
planted by the House Appropriations
Committee to detect "loafers' In Gov
eminent service; and, not being one of
those employees, feel justified in COM
menting on the subject.
wonder whether Congressman Stefan,
who was quoted, is aware that 1t is COM
mon practice in private Offices to allow
time out for relaxation in the interests
of efficiency?
From my own experience during four
years with one Of the "old-hne" agencies
Of the Interior Department some years
ago, realize that there are few who
do take advantage Of the opportunity to
converse with friends and linger over
their drinks. but by far the majority take
out no more than 10 minutes in mid
afternoon for q coke" or Ice cream (sold
in the buildings) and go back to work
refreshed and In mood to work again.
As for those to whom he referred as on
the stairs, carrying ice cream or "cokes"
or cigarettes, they are messengers from
the offices to bring in refreshments SO
that the others may continue to work
instead Of taking time out to go after
their own drinks.
II the Congressman were himself tied
to desk at routine work, he would find
himself getting sleepy and inefficient
and would appreciate a pickup" in
the interests Of his work. Do his office
assistants never stop for a moment dur
ing the day? It seems to me that my tax
money could be better employed than to
pay shoppers! M. M.
Wants School Speakers Checked
To ths Editor Of The Star:
In Tuesdays issue Of your paper there
appears an article captioned Western
High Students Protest 'Pro-Russian
Talk 4 Walk Out"
Many Of our Western High School
students, because of their high standing
in studies, after graduation, have gone
to the service schools-West Point and
Annapolis-where they have given ex-
cellent accounts of themselves scholastic
ally and in sports. My son, Col. Warren
Harlan Hoover, who graduated from
Western in 1904 ord Uyoc+ poipt a., 1901