Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-18
Save the Parks.

On every account it is to be hoped that the favor
able view reported to be taken OF judiciary Square
a site for the new Pension Ofice by the commits
sion appointed 10 make selection therefor will not
Be confirmed by those higher in authority and upon
wnon the responsibility OF making the choice
must finally rest The parks, squares and reserva-
tons OF Washington form one OF the most attractive
features of the national capital With the magnin-
cent public buildings, they are its chief glory as
they are the pride of the people of the whole cOun-
try, and they should neither be reduced in number
nor diminished In siza under any pretext what
ever. In their present state and use they
perform the most important function possible,
whether considered as sanitary agents or as
elements of beauty, and no filllciouS plea OF econ
ony should have any weight In determining their
fate. On the other hand, indeed true statesman
ship,-whiCh ever looks 10 the future well as to
the present-would incline TO the creation OF more
and larger breathing places for our rapidly in
creaSing population, rather than the sacrifice OF
those we now have. But, whether this be done or
not certain 1t is that none OF the open ground left
In the city should be seriously thought OF for
moment as proper site for publ; buildings Let
such a short-sghted policy prevail, ana the city
would soon be without single PARK or square
worthy the nIne. Every one OF them would
De thus occupied. In comparatively short
space OF time, and the government still
he left without adequate building accommodate
tons
Nothing be palmer than these facts,
and In view OF them Il IS clearly the duty of Con-
gresS not only TO preserve intact what reser-
vationS now exist, but To secure unOccupied
or indi1erently improved squares and lots in dif-
ferent parts OF the city, wherever they be had
In order to provide the future needs OF the gov
eminent in that direction. This is precisely what
prudent individual Or Il wisely managed corpor-
alton would do. under the same circumstances and
this Is exactly what government should dc, and
that without farther delay. Every year such Dro-
vision Is postponed does the need of it become
more apparent, and with each passing year
VIII the cos. OF obtaining the neces-
sary ground be largely increased. The true
solution OF the matter would be in government
now securing all the ground lying south of Penn
savanna avenue from the Treasury park to the
Botanical garden rs. This acquisition would AFFORD
ample space for all the new public buildings likely
TO be required for good many years to come but
not more than will ultimately be demanded for
that purpose. Each square fronting on the avenue
could, If desired, be devoted to a single building
as needed. With a frontage on the magnificent
thoroughfare, and extending through to or
towards the smithsonian Park In the rear, ample
light and ventIls ton would be assured for all
time, and such display OF architecture would
thereby be afforded as no capital In the world
couia match AT the present day this idea
may seem extravagant to some but the time will
come when everybody will wonder that it was not
adopted and carried out when 1t could have been
done easily and at expense which however
greatit might seem Just now, would be insignificant
as compared with what it will eventually cost to
provide room for such vast accommodations as the
government must ultimately have for the trausac-
0on or Its large and constantly increasing business
IL Is not difficult for thoughtful person to realize
THIS oy glanc1nS back only twenty years. and see
ing what Immense strides have been made In that
comparatively snort space OF time There isevery
reason TO believe that the next half century Will
snow progress in this respect which will more
snah equai Inc growth OF the past hundred years.
IhoSe VINO nave the interests OF the country in
their Charge for the time being should not there
Iofe De blind to what everybody else can see
Inc communication elsewhere In regard to the
wholesale discharge of Washington printers from
the government office simply because they have
no votes, is commended TO the prompt attention OF
frlnter Rounds Many diScreditable raids have
Deen made upon the scant salaries of government
employees oy the assessment highwaymen but
hothlng so utterly shameless as this cold-blooi,d
attempt 10 take the bread wholly from the mouths
OF the Washington printers, and those dependent
upon them, In order to convert the Government
Printing Office into a strsfphtout poltica1
machine Another discreditable feature of
shlS discharge OF skilled printers simply
because they are citizens of Washington. is that
the patronage" men and party strikers brought
we're 10 Hi tnelr places are in many instances
thoroughly incompetent workmen, who could not
get employment for day in any private estab-
hshment- II may be that Printer Rounds. who Is
now absent from the city, is not aware OF this out
rage now being perpetrated at his Office II So he
should call peremptOry halt upon his deputies.
or whoever is responsible for the act
IN the city or Paris gratings are placed in the
cutters tor inside the curbingl OF concrete nave
ments, opposite all Trees AS our beautiful trees
may not receive the quantity of moisture neces-
sary 10 their proper growth, especially along
streets and avenues where both roadway and side
walk are or concrete, would not our Commits
sioners contribute materially to the future beautv
OF this city by adopting similar arrangement9 II
could De done at very little cost on the streets
"hich are now in process OF repair.
MISS Emily Faithful, the English social scientist
= Is coming 10 this country to lecture on Modern
ExtraVagance." That Is subject about which
we know quite enough here now What ia needed
Is little welStated Information on Old fashioned
economy, with big f. Miss Faithful should turn
her attention in this direction il she desires tn
make her mission 10 the United States a success.
WILLARD'S HOTEL