Evening star., 1900-12-12

rsincd high hopes for their creation. They
pIanned for a magnificent capital. They
took absolutely raw material and proceed
cd for a few years to evolve city which
reflected great credit upon their energy,
foresight and patience. Had their good
work been carried on continuously by their
successors had the beautiful projects and
broad plans Of the first workers been con-
.7;stcntIy developed through all the years,
Washington would long ago have met the
ideal of the nation as a city worthy of
emulation by all the world. a true type of
the most wonderful of governments. The
first century Of the capitals existence
would not have closed with many things
l.ndoue which should have been done, and
MANY things done which should not have
been done.
But despite all the sins of omission and
commission which stand charged against
the capitaI-makers of the century the close
ct which is being marked today, Washing
ION reaches thc ripe age of a hundred in
very cummendablc form. The reasons for
c,ngratulation far outuumber and outweigh
the reasons for complaint and apology.
The century has evolved city which is
at once the pride aud the hope of the
American people { city whose very con-
trasts and deficiencies hespeak the wonder
against adversely, the final conquest over
Indifference and injustice and the opening
Of an era Of municipal development which
is a marvel of results and promise.
The Washington of one hundred years
ago was Il most unpromisng place, enough
to discourage even the enthusiasts who
saw in IL tn" germ of future metropolis
port and capital. 1t was all difficulties and
offered only the advantages of site and
soil as the basis for its growth and for
the hopes of its founders. Ii appalled, the
legislators and officials who. torn from
their comparative luxuries of city life. We're
but reluctant pioneers in the new move
lnent. Something of this spirit of dis
coura cement and even autagonSm pre-
vailed for upwards of three-uuarters of Il
century on the part of those whose duty ii
was to realize the expectations of the
founders in progressive works. In conse-
puencc Washington became a neglected
ward. a sad spectacle, indeed a mockery
in the eyes of visitors, an object of mere
tolerance To those who were periodically
forced to take up official residence here.
Neglect produced sore evils, inattentiOn to
artistic and even sanitary demands. indif-
ference to opportunities and needs alike.
The city struggled. the streets were worse
than in any other eastern city, the gov
ernment failed To measure its own require
meuts. Its public buildings Were scattered
without reference To the original harmo-
nious design and the proportions OF the
capital were marred.
Todays review of the century should pass
over much that has interviewed between
that promising beginning and this even
more promising present. 1t suffices to
know that out Of the trials of neglect in
difference actual hostility and contempt.
Washington has emerged city with a bril-
liant future. cre,itable present and re-
markable past. The mud-holes have be
come streets and avenues paved in a
ner to excite the admiration of the world
The swamps have been filled and are COW
cred with acres of attractive dwellings,
The population of a few hundred has grown
~ nearly ::"1D The grand plan has been
in the main preserved. The government
has been aroused IN sense of its duty to-
ward its ward In place of spirit of toll
crInce OF even of open disgust on the part
# transient population there has been
created Il high sense Of civic pride. strong
feeling Of faith in the capital and a deter
nination to insist upon its full development
in obedience to the genius of its creation. A
healthy. progressive business community has
come into being where once only few pitiful
shops and open markets supplied the needs
- the handful Of people. The capital has
become a city, with citys duties equip
meHt and prospects. 1t has grown from a
camp. reluctantly pitched by most of the
campers into 4 place OF permanent homes.
eagerly sought by sotouners. attracted by
the city's charm Of atmosphere or drawn by
duty to spend pleasant months as veritable
residents.
yN-i.l
many projects for the furtherance of this
process demanding attention The work Of
evolving q true federal city has In reality
only just begun. These hundred years nave
-did the foundation. They have given "A
beautiful plan. a group Of the most essen
uIl public buildings, system of parks
an Intelligent, progressive, permanent
growing population and an admirable
scheme of municipal government They
have developed needs and dangers They
have shown the wisdom of separating Tie
capital from partisan politics. Upon This
foundation Of fact and experience the real
capital builders at work striving
always for realization OF the lofty ideals
which were then established aided bv ,,
government cooperation never before 50
fully available.
The city has suffered even in the last
Years of the century, otherwise marked hv
such satisfactory awakening of the true
experimenting spirit. 1t has been subjected
10 unwarranted violations by he federal
government OF the partnership agreement
winch forms the basis of the present adj
HhrAb4c Organization. 1t has seen It's needs
cared Tor at times with Indifference sug-
seStNe of the utter neglect Of the dreary
Old times 1t has had its revenues ruth
4eSSIy taken FOR purposes for which they
we've not intended and unmatched by thu
statutory equivalent from the federal treas
ury- But there is hope that the time for
these invasions of its rights has passe1
thtt the Congress sees more clearly the
truth that in the degree that it fosters and
cherishes the capital. upon terms of abso-
!ute equity, 1t confers benefits upon the en-
tire nation.
Todays celebration is q token of Wash
lugton's gratitude for the accomplishments
or the century and of its faith that the
good work thus far done and now under
way VIII soon result IN a capital of the
magnificent proportions and details dreamed
OF by the great founder and his associates