Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-25
The world is governed by self-interest,

The world 10 governed by self-interest,"
said Schiller. Nearly century has elapsed
since Schiller ceased to think and write and
speak but the same old world is being gov
erned in the same old way. There are doubt
les many good reasons why the plumbing and
ventilation Of the Capitol should be reformed
and renovated and there is nothing unnatural
In the concern which seems to possess and ami
mate the Senators who have been looking into
the sewage problem at the Capitol, but 1t might
be suggested that there in this city several
government establishments which, in point of
safety and ventilation and general desirability
- workshops, are 90 far inferior to the Capitol
o. to be beyond and beneath comparison. Ex-
psrts have tested the air IN the various rooms
Of the great Council House and in most Of
them was found greater or less proportion Of
cArbonic acid gas. What effect this poison had
had upon the mortality tables in which EN-
inent men figure cannot be told, but it il
known that death has kept his bony fingers
Of the throats Of Senate employees for long
time past Some Of those who occupy subordi-
nate positions and whose hours Of service are
twice as many as are those of the employers
have never lost day from sickness in nearly
twenty years service, despite the csrbonic acid
gas which has excited so much alarm. Captain
Bassett has been imbibing the so-called delete
nous atmosphere for sixty years and is in
reasonably good condition. These facts are
presented not "a arguments against the making
Of such improvements as have been made in
the Senate and House, but simply 70 show that
there Is no great danger imminent. no disaster
which threatens with mephitic waves to over
whelm and destroy a body OF statesmen that
could not easily be duplicated How is it,
though. with the overloaded. overcrowded,
patent once? What the prevailing condi-
tions in the government printing Office? Again
and again has the note 81 warning been sounded
10 the latter structure, but the sound has
practically been UNDECIDED Sinking and crack
ing floors have been clumsily supported,
while distorted ceilings have been shored-
mp in . crude and temporary way. The
possibility Of fire is easy one. ever before the
eyes Of the officers in charge Of the establish
ment but what is Congress doing to diminish
the acknowledged evils? Why not hurry up
and make the necessary appropriation for a
substantial and veIl-ventilated structure, in
which 5000 people can labor without fear and
trembling? II would take several times the
amount Of carbonic acid gas discovered in the
iature: match would destroy the government
printing Office. And if the destruction came in
the day time. thousands Of people would mourn
the horrible deaths Of those Who during the
hours Of toll never breathed air as pure as that
which fills the lungs Of Capitol habitues and who
were sacrificed because no man who could speak
for them in the legislative halls compelled TO
endure conditions which were inseparably asso-
eiated with their bread winning. The Senator
or Representative who imagines that health
fitness is being driven out of his system by
carbonic acid gas can afford such journeyings
ss he may deem necessary for recuperation: the
government printing Office employee must
work whether he or she wants to or not I'm
prove your plumbing all you want to, legisla-
tors; kalsomine your sewers, electroplate your
steam pipes and perfume the congressional
atmosphere with cologne, bu. do not forget
that there are others among men. for whose
well-bsing you are largely responsible, whose
necessity is very much greater than your own