Evening star., 1901-12-14


verted into park that stretches from the
Capitol west past the White House and
constitutes the mall, in which are situated
the Smithsonian Institution. the National
Museum and the Department of Agricul-
ture. Broad boulevards are to be cut
through the mail and the Botanical Gar
dens. past the Capitol and sweep around
the terraced bank of the Potomac on the
heights OF Anacosta, from which point the
park system, with its boulevards, will be
extended northward skirting the CITY to the
Maryland line, and then around the semi
circle to Georgetown. Coincident with this
work and under the supervision of the
skilled architects having it in charge It is
Pre- posed to carry to completion the present
system OF streets and avenues, to bring
water INTO the city to supply projected
group OF fountains and to indicate proper
sites for additional statues and public
buildings. Other improvements which have
been much discussed and which promise to
take form at no distant day are bridge
across the Potomac worthy Of the city and
the construction Of new buildings for the
National Museum and the Department of
Agriculture. of gallery to house the fast
growing art treasures of the government,
of lifting structure for the preservation
Of trophies, relics and memorials of nation
al Importance, the last carrying out the
Well-constdered plans of the founders of
the capital city. 1t is also proposed either
to enlarge the present Executive Mansion
or to build private residence for the Pres
ident, leaving the White House for public
receptions and business. All Of these things
sooner or later will become accomplished
facts. Larger patriotism Of a new era
voices the demand that no niggard hand
should minister to the nations city, and the
present generation. doubtless. will live to
see Washington take on new and sur
passing architectural beauty, giving it in
dignity and outward attractiveness what 1t
already enjoys in political importance-the
foremost place among the capitals Of the
world.
An Educational Center.
Though the first Presidents cherished
dream of great national university in this
city which bears his name has never taken
concrete form. Washington's development
as an educational center has been surpris-
ingly rapid In recent years. Its common
school system. which includes normal. high
and Misunderstanding schools, was COM
pletely reorganized In 1869, and has since
been so wisely and efficiently conducted as
to be often cited as a model: while through
the Columbian. the Howard and the Ca&ho-
lie universities 1t makes effective and en-
hancing contribution to the cause OF higher
education. The Columbian, established as q
college in 1921 and reincorporated as a uni
versity In 1873, has collegiate, law and med
ical departments,andi Is in an actively pros
porous condition. Howard University,
founded In 1867 and named after Ms fret
president, Gen. Oliver o. Howard reprpserts
brave and measurably successful atsa9np:
to place higher education within the reach
OF the colored race. It II well housed on q
commanding site In the northern part OF
the city. and includes. besides the regular
collegiate departments. well-attended
schools Of theology, law and medicine The