Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-30

named In honor OF eminent Americans so
as to perpetuate their names as a mark Of
respect and appreciation of their great
work in our behalf. Then IL presents such
names as Cpshur, Osgood. Laurens. Muh-
lenbefs southwark. etc. Although these
may have been eminent Americans in
their time, I venture 10 assert. without
rear OF contradiction. that there are very
lew VINO can without references remember
10 what performance they owe their alleg-
ed emincnce. Was their work really so
great as TO deserve such recognition?
10 attempt TO rectify the present most
commendable system would be imprac tical
Philadelphia. 1 am Informed. has recently
been doing little tinkerng with her
streets. and the confusion which Il wrought
mas caused storm of Indignation to sweep
over the originators, who now thor
oughiy repentant for the mischief they have
caused.
Already in Northeast Washington they
are receiving a lesson i'm regard TO the NAM
ing OF streets. The numerous short byways
that are constantly appearing in that pro-
SresslNe section have made il necessary to
nunt up names. These are generally taken
from the owner of the block. IL Ii were not
Tor tie redeeming feature OF the numbered
street ii would be impossible to navigate
there with any degree Of certainty. SO IL
would be with the contemplated change
over the whole city.
Another very important factor is that
the streets would have TO be memorized.
Some persons have naturally bad memories.
They would find il impossible to remember
such combinations as Quitman, Osgood,
Muhlenberg, Upshur, etc. Besides. we
would not know whether the street was in
the north or south section of the city. In
fact, ii would be awkward for every one
and would cause no end Of mischief.
Child Can Understand.
Il am told that in cities where such sys-
tam in fnll hal Of eli
citizens have not the slightest knowledge
of streets a short distance from their inn
mediate vicinity. Here every one, from
children up. can, without a moments hesi-
fancy, give explicit directions in any local
ity. If il is on G street and the house num-
Der is go. We Immediately know that il is
between 9th and 10Th streets. If IL is No.
4i4 9th street We say without a thought
between and l. streets.
Take the other system, the eminent
American scheme. A stranger within our
hospitable portals kindly asks for 46s Quit
man, Nicholson or Underwood streets
What shall answer? North southH
Which is it now, quick, Really We have
forgotten. 1t has slipped our tricky MEM
DRY. We give it at random. Result: We
give it wrong.
In fact, our present nomenclature could
not well he improved upon. OF course
there may be few defects. such as must
necessarily occur, but otherwise the system
| Is good, probably the best IN use. w nile IL
may be true that slight confusion may re-
suit from the numerous. Grant, Lincoln and
Madison streets, this should not constitute
grounds for the reorganization of the entire
system. The remedy lies in remaining these
few streets and not those OF the entire CITY,
Surely this would be more practical than
the exceedingly illogical plan OF the his
torioal society. Really such a fallacy
the eminent American system can never
he realized in the national capital. The
present system will always remain AN
everlasting monument to the men who
originated its wonderful simplicity.
Things to Consider.
There are few in the District. indeed,
who are in favor of such radical and
unwarranted experiment. There many
more pressing needs of the city that should
demand attention than the so-called
terrible street nomenclature. Let
first secure what really benefits US, and not
indulge in idle speculations of stree
grandeur. Why not contine our atte~- =
to better streets before We trouble -Itlon
with bestowing grandiloquept ourselves
10 them? Besides, wig apPeilatlohs
Would any eminent 4 IN name
be much honore. americans ancestor
him that was Dy a street named after
OF 'shanti~ Hnei on Doin SIDES by rows
"Pa-' $?
~ -haps Justice Hagner would rather sit
new city hall than cast his eye upon
| such aristocratic names as Ellsworth,
| Chire, Rutledge and Underwood Perhaps
| our Commissioners would appreciate a new
| municipal building that would be a credit
| to the city. Perhaps the northeast would
| like their street grades abolished. Per-
| haps the entire southwest would like their
| entire section improved Perhaps the east
| ern members Of the society WHO signed the
| petition would like TO have the eastern
| flats reclaimed. Perhaps our citizens would
| appreciate a free city library tsupported)
Sunday openings of he public buildings
pure water. suffrage. etc. Let us see to
| these wants first. i have been informed by
! several that this bill would be urgently
\ pushed, and that il would most surely he
| passed. If this should be the case il
| would be one of the greatest calamities
| ever enacted by Congress"