Evening star., 1900-12-04

Several items in the District Commits
sioners' annual report bear upon the beauti-
fication of the city in a manner to arouse
hope that substantial progress may be
made in the course of the next year or two
in curing number of small evils which in
the aggregate depreciate the capitals repu-
tation for comeliness. For many years the
sidewalks of Washington have been dis
grace to a modern municipality. The un-
even surfaces. the almost constant damp
ness. and in many places the luxuriant veg
citation springng from the interstices pre-
sent an appearance of dilapidation and
grievously offend the pedestrian. From
time to time of late sidewalks of artificial
stone have been laid which bring a vast
Improvement, and as far as they go fully
meet the requirements of the city. But
these S, bsttutes as yet cover only frac-
ton Of the streets, and mile after mile of
brick denominations remain. The Commits
sioners point out that larger appropriations
must be had to further this work in order
to cure the evils within a satisfactory time
limit AT the present rate it will require
years to eliminate these brick nuisances.
The Commissioners direct attention to the
condition of the parkings Of the city, and
express the hope that the householders will
take greater pains hereafter in the care of
these spaces, freely given by the govern
merit for their use and comfort. The oppor-
tunity is at hand to make Washington one
continuous park. The inattention or ignor-
ance of a few householders in each block
Will spoil the good effect of the care of all
the others. No law is proposed on the sub
ject, and none is perhaps possible of en-
forcement. But the Commissioners appeal
in their formal report ought to stimulate
hp nriia nft 6n i,,I;1
the care of these freely given spaces.
The city is made unsighty in places where
the building enterprises have not fully COW
cred the ground by the rank growth of
weeds which are permitted by the owners
and agents to exist upon such spaces Es-
pecially in the suburbs and sem-suburbs
are uns yhtly lots the rule and many an
otherwise beautiful neighborhood is spoiled
in appearance by the occurrence of can
streWn, Weed-grown, slovenly attended va
cant spaces, which might, with slight ex-
pense, be made attractive. The Commits
sloners hope for a strengthening of the law
aimed at the weeds. Such a statute should
be given them for rigid enforcement as will
eliminate this offensive factor from the
cty's aspect. and complete the works of the
citizens who are yearly investing thousands
in buildings and handsome lawn spaces. .-.
1t would be rommendabe project for
the Commissioners, in furtherance of the
spirit they show in this report to move
against the further erection Of Objectionable
sign boards. These are q greater offense
even than the weed-grown lots or unkempt
parkings They obtrude themselves every
where in glarng colors, with changing an
nouncements which compel attention The
law might well check lot owners in their
Willingness to devote the open spaces to
such ugly uses.
With modern sidewalks replacing all of
the old bricked spaces. with the parkines
kept at least clean and in the main covered
with grass with the vacant lots trimmed
and decently cleared of refuse and with
the streets freed from the affront of osten-
tatlous signs at every turn. Washington
would more nearly approach it's proper de-
gree of attractiveness. 1t is in these small
items that a city appeals to the observer.
as well as in the more elaborate features of
Improvement