Evening star., 1901-12-03

of Columbia have been glad to act in CO.
operation with this commission, and trust
that its project for the Identification of the
national capital will be adopted by Con-
gress as the working plan for the years to
come. For years the Commissioners OF the
District of Columbia, and other public Of
ficers, and the citizens of the District have
been hoping that such comprehensive
scheme Of Improvement of the park system,
and therefore of the whole District, would
be adopted, in order that its aesthetic de-
velopment might be made harmonious and
complete and in accordance with the best
ideals. In connection with the preparations
for the national capital centennial celebra-
ton, preliminary steps were taken toward
this end and propositions looking to the
creation of a commission for this purpose
were offered in Congress. Out Of them
came the action of the Senate, which has
produced plans that, if adopted by Con-
gress, will prove of lasting and inestimable
value to the District of Columbia.
Centennial Celebration.
The celebration of the centennial of the
in the District of Columbia on Wednesday,
December II, 1900, was entirely successful
The weather was most favorable. and the
simple and worthy program prepared by
the executive committee representing the
national government, the states and terri
tories and the District of Columbia, was
carried out with dignity and efficiency.
ed the day with a reception at the White
House, attended by many eminent men,
during which brief addresses were de-
livered on the history of the White House,
the history of the District of Columbia, and
the development of the nation
A military and naval procession escorted
the President and his distinguished guests
at noon from the White House to the Capt.
tol, where, at joint session Of the Senate
and House of Representatives, in the hall
of the latter addresses on the subject of
the celebration were delivered by senators
and representatives.
In the evening a reception was given at
the CorcoraE Gallery of Art in honor of the
President of the United States and the
governors of the states and territories.
larger number of governors took part In
the celebration of this memorable anniver-
Sary than ever assembled in Washington
on any other occasion. Congress- which
participated So cordially in the celebration,
has authorized the publication of a full re-
port of the ceremonies and addresses.
District Day at Buffalo.
The Pan-American exposition having in
vited the Commissioners of the District Of
Columbia to appoint representatives of the
District among it's honorary officers, the
Commissioners appointed Mr.. John w.
Douglass and Mr.. l.. G.. Hine, formerly
Commissioners to be honorary vice presi-
dents, and Mrs. John B. Henderson and
board of lady managers The Commits
sioners were also invited to appoint a day.
to be known as District of Columbia day.
at the Pan-American exposition, in the
city of Buffalo, n. Y; and to provide for
an appropriate celebration of it. They des-
ignated Tuesday, the Sd of September, and
appointed a committee of arrangements
consisting of Mr. John w. Douglass, chair
man; Mr. L. G. Hine, Mr.. George Truesdell,
Mr.. Matthew G. Emery, Mr.. Mitchell Dy-
renforth, Mr.. Walter S. Hutchins. Mr.. M.
M. Parker, Mr.. John B. Wight, Mr. John
Joy Edison, Mr.. Theodore w. Noyes and
Mr.. John F. Wilkins. Under the direction
of this committee the celebration of the
day was successfully carried out.
In the morning the Commissioners, escort
ed by the committee of arrangements, a
States Marine Band, were conducted to the
United States government building, which
had been assigned their headquarters
for the day. where they held a general re-
ception, while the Marine Band rendered
an appropriate program.
In the afternoon, at o'clock, exercises
were held in the Temple of Music, Mr..
John w. Douglass, chairman of the COM
Marine Band furnishing the music. when
addresses were delivered by the director
general Of the exposition and the president
of the board of Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia. In the evening, at 8
o'clock, in the Temple of Music, stereopti-
con views of scenes in and around the Dis
trict of Columbia were exhibited with suit
able comment by the acting secretary Of
the committee of arrangements-Mr. Barry
Bulkley.
1t is believed that this celebration was
beneficial to the District of Columbia in
bringing it prominently before the coun-
try and so extending knowledge of it's
history and advantages.
Memorial Bridge.
The Commissioners renew their indorse-
I,
tion of a memorial bridge across the Po-
tomac river to Arlington cemetery They
believe that such "a memorial to American
patriotism ought to be constructed as
soon as practicable.
Civil Service.
The increased experience of the Commits
sioners adds weight to their frequent rec
concentrations in favor of the application
of civil service system to all employees of
the District government. The pressure for
employment and patronage grows stronger
with the progress of time, and the increase
in the number Of employees necessary to dis
charge the municipal duties presents en-
barrassments from which the authorities
and the interests they represent can only
be protected by rigid provisions of law on
the subject. These must be furnished by
Congress, since the Attorneys General have
held that the President cannot extend the
civil service rules to the District.
Public Library.
1t is expected that the public library, in
the course of erection on Mount Vernon
Square, will be completed in the month Of
May, 1902. The Commissioners have made
an estimate for the proper equipment Of
this library, and 1t is of the utmost i'm
portance that this appropriation be avail
able at as early a date as may be practi-
cable, in order that the new building may
be fully utilized without delay.
The District Code.
The enactment of the law ITO establish
a code of laws for the District of Column
bia,' which was approved March 3, 1901
to take effect from and after the first day
of next January, is a cause for congratula-
ton.
The legislation is the outcome Of a long
effort on the part of leading citizens, the
District bar and the Commissioners to OBJ
tain a systematic and authoritative arrange
ment of the laws and court procedure in
the District, and is very satisfa actory re-
suit as to such procedure and the gen.
eral laws. AS in all works of such diver
sity and magnitude, notifications ofs~this
code have been found advisable, and need
ed amendments developed by the scrutiny
of the District Bar Association and others
will be submitted for the action Of Con-