The suburban citizen., 1901-04-06

DC transformed into Appian Ways, are
practically in the same primitive condi-
tion that they were forty odd years ago
Had Congress given the subject the at
tention it deserves the area west OF the
waters of Rock Creek, now adorned
with paatial homes, the result of rail-
way construction, would be far in adj
vance OF its present degree OF attractive
ness. There is nothing surprising in
the fact that the roads leading from the
city to the DiStric, line, some OF which
traverse historic soil cause remarks by
no means comp 'imentary to our national
lawmakers to drop from the lips OF vis-
itors to the Capital Strangers do no.
expect to find the seat OF government
OF the nation, with its miles OF streets
almost as smooth as an Oaken floor,
environed by a system OF public high
ways which would shame the residents
OF a twentieth cen ,ury mountain village.
But that is what those whose pleasure
jaunts are extended beyond the city
limits discover. Is it any wonder that
comments are sharp and that one trip
over the suburban roads of Washington
is enough to satisfy any one who has
not had experience as a Star Route
mail rider? The approaches to no other
city in the country are so indlttcrently
cared for, and who will essay to deny
that those leading to Washington, wi;h
its matchess thoroughiares, the most
beautiful OF all the capitals OF the world,
are not worthy Of panstaking attention
upon the part OF men whom the people
have intrusted with the aaffirs of gov
ernment? In this age OF automobiles il
would be difficult to find a more delight
iul and heathiul source OF pleasure than
a ride in any dire ton through the coun-
try stretching away toward the District
line beyond Rock Creek. il the roads
we're in proper condition for the opera
tion of vehicles OF that kind Not only
would srch improvement add to the at.
fractions OF the city for the thousands
who Annually visit it. but it would en-
courage investment by men OF means
and thus. by increasing the tangible
wealth OF the District, play an import
ant part in augmenting the volume on
the public revenues. But it would do
more than that-it would inspire a
brighter fame OF patriotism in the heart
OF every pilgrim TO the Capital caus-
ing the muuJudcs OF men and women
who come TO Washington every year to
ieel that they have an interest I'm the
splendid city erected on the banks OF
the Potomac Why is it, then, that
Congress has passed over a subject so
worthy OF at least careful consideration:
1t certainly can no. be because the at
tention OF our Senators ard Represent
atives has not been called to Il, for at
every session ior several years both the
\ 90 4 fc
zens' Northwest Association have asked
them to begin the work OF providing
highways in keeping with the constant
ly increasing requirements and artistic
status OF the ci y. Can it be that the
delay is due to a pcnuriouS inclination
to hoard the money of the Government?
1t would hardly seem so, in view OF
the fact that thousands OF dollars are
annually Appropriated for opening
creeks and small rivers which. after
jhe improvement has been made, are
scarcely deep enough to float a light
draught bateau There are promising
indications, however, that this much
needed work OF Improvement will soon
be under way At any rate. the asso-
citation does not intend TO give up the
fight as the appropriations asked for
are for the public good and not for the
benefit of private individuals. The con
struction OF the Connecticut avenue
bridge. work upon which has already
been commenced, is one OF the most
hopeful signs OF the new year
The Connectlcut Avenue Bridge.
The construction OF the Conrecti-
cut avenue bridge which as above
remarked, has been commenced, will
be an important addition to both
the business interests and the beauty
OF the city and its picturesque sub