Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-30
Some Things This City Lacks.

70 the Editor Of The Evening Star:
1t is the habit Of the Washington news
papers to extol the advantages Of their
city as a place of residence, and the cas-
ual visitor to the capital finds every rea-
son to heartily indorse much that Is said
in praise of its attractions. VIII you,
however, permit a would-be resident to
suggest that ii might be more in accord
ance with a tue public spirit on the part
of the press were the other side Of the
picture occasionally presented, and the at
tention of citizens sometimes called to
several serious defects in existing condi-
tons?
Washington is often alluded to as the
future center OF art and literature in
America. i have lately met an artist of in
ternational fame and an author Of estab-
lished reputation who had come to Wash
ington with view to establishing here a
permanent residence but in each case the
plan had been abandoned for reasons
which cannot be too forcibly impressed
upon those who have the welfare Of the
city at heart.
The artist tried in vain to secure a single
studio built for the purpose. He found the
local artists working under the disadvant-
age Of poorly lighted quarters and scat
tered apart IN unsuitable buildings. He
found the paint-shops Ill supplied with the
requisites of the craft He found that
there was not in the city gallery in
which could be held a general exhibition
of the most modest dimensions.
The author knew 1t impossible to prose-
cute literary labor without the assistance
Of such circulating library as does not
exist In the city, and he noted the fact
that in the one place where new publica-
lions could be ordered mot examined) the
full published price was charged for books,
a custom which has not existed for fifteen
years in such towns as Lowell, Rochester
or Trenton. He further discovered that
through the peaceful stretches Of tree-shad-
ed streets the wheeled piano ranged with
out restriction, filling the air with noise and
discord from noon to night. The author
subrented the house he had taken for a
year and went to Boston
Now, IT makes very little difference per-
haps whether these two persons spend the
winter in Washington or not. Politics and
society will doubtless dc very we'll without
them. The pavements will be just good
the flowers as pretty In the squares, but
If the city is to be at any time the abode
Of art and literature, or even a temporary
resting place for the muses., the citizens
must bestir themselves not only to advance
the national capital as leading place In
the realm of culture, but to catch up with
a score Of towns whose names are rarely
mentioned centers of anything.
A nineteenth century city of 100000 in
habitants needs library accessible to all
those who know how to read. 1t needs a
DullQlnS winch STall De the nome Oh
those who cultivate the beautiful. 1t needs
a gallery where the makers Of pictures of
every land may bring the people in touch
with the art spirit Of the age. 1t needs
these things for it's mental and moral we'll
being, just as Ii needs markets and sewers
and parks for it's pleasure and health.
What the higher civilization Of the coun-
try asks of Washington Is not charity, but
recognition, and let me add that the high
err civilization will pay for this recognition
in dollars and cents. The stock of q IL
brary is a good investment. A studio build
ing could be filled in a week. An exhibit
tion gallery pays dividends. What is need
ed Is not a delegation to the lobby of Con-
gress to get a share of the public funds,
but an earnest cooperation on the part of
public-spirited men to secure for their city
the features which distinguish an enlight-
ened community.
Book-shops and paint-shops follow the
demand; they are not missionary enter
prises nor can we complain when we hear
thing not needed for material existence
I'VE have not got it-there Is no call for
it,
There is an impression abroad that Wash
ington has depended too much on the fos-
tering care Of government to do anything
for itself, like an over-petted cat which
has lost the art Of housing. My own opin-
ion is that there is no deficiency of Ameri-
can pluck and enterprise here. and that all
that Is needed Is an occasional stirring-up
from an excellent but too-indulgent press.
GROWLER.