Evening star., 1901-02-20
and territories multiplied and took all that

ton owes to it's capital and the resulting
determination to generously meet all the
needs of the national capital, practical and
aesthetic, it seems as though Congress
might now fulfill the promises or the past
and give US a District building. A we'll
drawn measure is now before it authorizing
the expenditure through several years for
the purchase OF site and the erection of
building of two and one half million dol
lars, which is less than has been spent ON
similar buildings elsewhere.
The federal treasury Is fun; the Districts s
contribution could be advanced. If neces-
sary, however, the money can be appropri-
ately provided, of course. under the half
and-half principle by an issue Of low-rate
bonds for the Districts share. An accept
able site can be procured more easily and
at less cost than will ever be possible
again. Now Is the propittOus time Let us
believe that Congress will celebrate the
centennial Of the District of Columbia by
giving its government local habitation
worthy Of the dignity Of the national cap
ital. And let us hope that no citizen will
seIfishIy deprive the District of this happy
consummation by thrusting forward inter
feringly his private schemes for the ap
preparation of the public money!
Secretary Harries' Contribution.
When the expressions of approval of the
sentiments of the Commissioner, which
took the form of hearty applause, had died
away Secretary Harries showed some ef-
fective stereopticon views which gave an
idea of the magnificent and comfortable
municipal buildings which are found in this
country and in Europe. These splendid
architectural designs however, were rudely
interrupted with slides giving interior views
of some OF the District offices, making it
evident that the bulk of the space is given
up to file cases and desks, and In the midst
of these the city officials wedge in as best
they can. However, the exhibit was a
source of information as well as of amuse-
ment, companied, as the slides were,
by running comments by Mr.. Harries.
Indorses Board of Trade.
The lights were again turned on, and the
company was delighted with the eloquence
of Representative Pearre of Maryland, who
while called upon unexpectedly, as most
Of the other speakers of the evening were,
yet spoke with force and much effect He
was especially emphatic in his references
to the shame he felt that the local gov
ernment of the capital city of the country
should be without home. He characterize
ed 1t as an outrage, and said that Congress
should make immediate provision for a
municipal building, and he heartily indorsed
this recommendation of the Board of Trade.
1t seemed 10 him. he said, that there cen
be but one opinion as to this proposition,
and he declared that it was a matter of
surprise to him that such Il condition has
been permitted to exist long. There is
no reason or justification for II, he declared.
Mr. Pearre referred to the most common
argument USED against lHe expenditure OIL
public money-that the total of the appro-
priations was already too large-and said with
a good deal of emphasis that the sooner
the people Of this country realize that this
is billon-dollar country the sooner Will
such needs be provided. He believed that
municipal building should be provided for
Washington that would be worthy to be
placed in any capital city in the world.
Speaking Of the proposed memorial bridge,
MI Pearre said there is strong sent
mental reason for such a structure, as 1t
Will symbolic the reunion of two sections
of the country once separated In this era
of good will, when the sons of the men in
blue and the sons Of the men in gray
had marched together in the war with
Spain under common flag, that cementing
of the parts OF a nce-divided country
would be commemorated by the proposed
bridge.
The ringing voice of the representative of
the sixth Maryland district in the closing
stirred his hearers to a prolonged
of approval.
Drafted Into Service.
While President Edison was artfuly lead
ing up to an announcement that Represen
tative Grout Of Vermont would make the
next address, Secretary Harries was in
search of that gentleman, who was seated
modestly near the door instead Of in the
front seats with his colleagues. Gen
eral Grout was discovered by the keen
eyed secretary, but he apparently was con-
tented to stay where he was, and, in pro-
test against the determined course of Mr..
Harries, he raised his voice from where he
was standing in the rear of the room and
appealed to President Edison that he should
call the secretary off. However, before Mr..
Edison. could decide whether to crafty the
evident wishes of General Grout or to back |
up the secretary, especially as that gentle |
man declared he was acting under inStruc- |
tions from the president of the board, the |
audience interposed and called so loudly for |
General Grout that he finally Welded and |
came forward.
President Edison expressed the apprecia- |
ton felt by the citizens of the District in |
the fairness and attention with which Dis
trict interests had always been treated by |
General Grout, and the latter gentleman |
said that now. at the close of his congress |
sional career, he felt gratified to receive |
such an expression of good will and appre- |
he made to this city with Vermont regi- |
ment during the civil war, and said |
wagon containing the ratons for his men |
stuck in the mud while passing along In |
diana avenue This led him to make con- |
trasts between the past and the present Of |
the city. He said the people of Washington |
have just pride in their city but no |
greater than every American has who |
comes mere. AS to the memorial bridge, he |
felt that would be built, If not next year
Or the following year. some time in the
near future.
Other Speakers.
A cordial. hearty speech was made by
Representative Sims of Tennessee, who IA
vored the erection here Of a fine municipal
building, and while he was not going to
commit himself as being in favor of the
bridge, yet he believed that such
4 structure would be built He thought
when Congress had appropriated six mil
lions of dollars for fairs in cities that were
not even capitals of their states that body
might afford to be liberal toward the cap
tal city Of the country.
A bright little speech was made by Rep
fesentative Hull of Iowa. who indorsed the !
praises already uttered of the beauty and
attractiveness Of Washington. He said he
would not favor the building of the me-
mortal bridge until Virginia ceded back to
the United States the land formerly within |
the limits OF the District !;
Several amusing stories, as told by Rep
resentative Otey OF Virginia, were heartily
enjoyed by the audience, who laughed and
shouted over the humor which was SO well
brought out.
At the outset he said he was-oppesed to
a municipal building for the District be-
cause he had found in his experience in
Congress that whenever he opposed a meas
use 1t was sure to pass. He described the
House District committee as the prfyy
council of the District triumvirs-the clover
eaf, as he wittily expressed it. of men
whose patriotism impelled them TO do some
INr,rr SnV hot 4