Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-15
floral display on the premises. see to the trees
grass and rOadways and in fact render the place

Letter carriers, vendors of bread. meat, milk,
fruit, vegetables and ice, make their regular
calls upon the denizens; physicians and the po-
lice are readily summoned by telephone.
book and magazine club has existed for several
years. and the excellence of its social sphere ia
well established fact. What more, them could
be wanted in this locality? Is not this the COM
mencement ola veritable American Utopia such
as Bedford Park" near London is to the eyes
of MOncure Conway, Mast Renau, and the in
habitants of its $50 quaint Queen Anne Cot
tages! The projectors, and those participating
with them as residents of LIE Droit Park may
iaudably entertain such hopes. Will they be
realized! The future alone can tell. Whilst
the projectors and denizens of this park deserve
great credit for what they have accomplished.
much remains yet to be done to make it TOR any
similar enterprise) the Arcadian home which
(wlthin the present limited period that they feel
their term of office assured) the great majority
OF government employees here can reasonably
expect to attain.
But why should not such a model city block.
or suburban park of associated homes, be FEAST
BILE, If constructed within the means of those tor
whom they would be intended? Homes. We
will say in one or more quarters. for those now
mhabiting cramped and mountaineering struc-
lures would aid in elevating them and their
children to higher standard of moral and in
tellectual culture. In another section, easily
accessible homes for government employees and
others engaged in similar labor, comprising cosy
cottages, supplied with the convenlences which
the more modern applications of electricity.
steam and gas in domestic economy afford:
cooperative dining hall in charge of first-class
caterer, public laundry a nursery and kinder
garten. 80 that the mothers of the place. if 80
disposed, could at all times. temporarily or
permanently be relieved Of the drudgery of the
kitchen. the worry with servants, and the wear
ing care of small children, cheerful apartments
Tor, and good attention to. the single of both
sexes. Rochdale store, a school and circulat-
ing library, places Of worship and amusement
public greenhouses and conservatory a SWIM
ming pool and skating rink, a gymnasium a
livery stable, post and telegraph office. in fact
everything calculated to make such an asso-
clated home attractive at all seasons, promote
refinement. and afford true comfort. All might
be SO arranged that. to some extent at least. it
snail De within the means of every deniZen to
enjoy these advantages, whether his salary be
only that of messenger, or be that of Cabinet
officer
Considering the practice which prevails of ap-
portloning the appointments in the several de-
partments pro rata among the states will not
some wealthy public-spirited New Yorker lead
OIL with such an associated home building or a
suburban park, at the federal capital, named in
nOnOr OF his. the great empire state? wherein pro-
vision might even be made for it's Senators and
Representatives, of which New Workers would be
proud, and where they would delight to congre-
gate: Or will some farsighted New Engauder
first step forth and show how it can be done?
NAL Exhibition gave abundant evidence how
gladly birds OF a feather flock together" and
not less so the enter tainments of certain of the
state associations in this city within a more re-
cent period. 1t is merely in a suggestive way that
these Ideas are presented: back of them. how
ever, is the accumulated observation of years.
The advent OF the sO-called board of public
works, of which Ex-Governor Alexander r.
Shepherd was the master spirit did much to
simulate the erection OF better style and
higher order of dwellings in the Getty. the park
ing or widening Of the sidewalk area along all
streets not devoted exclusively to business pur-
poses. allowed the introduction of bay windows
and other ornamental projections. Thousands
OF dwellings in the city now enjoy the
advantages of this wise innovation upon
former rules for building. This parking
together with the extensive tree-planting
feature Of Washington, has greatly added
to the pleasure and comfort of its dcni-
Zens, and contributes largely to mitigate the
drawbacks incident to life in large cities
The grading and paving of the city, in man.
ner that even exceeds in excellence the car
rageWays OF the most advanced capitals Of Eu-
rope, induces the more wealthy frequenters of
Washington and also many Of the prominent
pubic men OF the country possessed of the
means, In increasing numbers to erect elegant
and costly mansions The federal Capital promi-
SEES thus in time, not only as writer has re-
Gently observed. ito be the winter end of New
York. as Newport is its summer extension
but the favored resort during half the year of
the cultured and wealthy throughout the land
In anticipation Of this increasing Influx of the
wealthy, apartment houses are being erected
upon scale equal to any in the country. Such
Z structure, recently completed, called "7he
Portdnd, contains three complete suits of six
rooms. each on the lower floors, commanding
respectively rental Of 1880 per annum, I'M
furnished whilst the smaller suites on the up
per floors are held at from $3.50 to $1,000 per
annum. or course all conveniences which it is
possible to supply are introduced. including ele-
yatOrs and steam heating. whilst on the first
floor those who desire to dispense with cooking
in their own apartments, can be served at a
table dhOte or q la carte
1t will thus be seen that in Washington. for
the weather. Class OF people, temporary and per-
manent habtatiOns upon commensurate scale.
are amply being provided, but homes ADAPTED to
the means, and in keeping with the advancing
spirit ofthe age. for the unskilled laborer, and
the large number of people called into the SER
vice OF the government GEcludnT a suitable
dwelling for the family of the President of the
United States), are wanting. These will no
doubt in time be forthcoming, when greater
stability is given to the civil service, and some
enlightened man or woman of this country
possessed of means and gOody WILL" shall as
Godin did in France. and I.indley in Great
Britain show here how it can be done Then
we may expect to see clusters of model dwell
ings at the National Metropolis, which, provided
their inmates make the two great command
ments their rule of practice in life, shall con-
stitute the best types Of American homes for tine
people.