Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-12-02
For Sale by E. S. Leadbeater & Sons, Alexandria, Va

the home demand In the southwest the possibii-
ity OF regrassng oyerstocked range isnos nas oeen
demonstrated; In the north many new iorsge
crops have been introduced, while In the east IT
has been shown that some OF our choicest fruits
can DO stored and shipped in such way as to
find profitable market abroad. .
| again recommend to the favorable consiueia-
ton OF the congress the plans OF the Smithsonian
institution for making the museum under ITS
charge worthy OF the nation and for preserving
at the national capital not only records OF tne
vanishing races Of men, but OF the animals OF TINS
Continent which, like the buffalo, will soon be-
come extinct unless specimens from which their
representatives may be renewed are sought IN
their native regions and maintained there IN
safety.
The District Of Columbia Is the only part OF
our territory in which the national government
exercises local or municipal functions and where
in consequence the government has free hand
In reference to certain types OF social and eco.
nomic legislation which must be essentially local
or municipal In their character. The government
should see to IL, for instance, that the hyglenic
and sanitary legislation affecting washington Is
OF high character The evils OF slum dwellings
whether in the shape OF crowded and congested
tenement house districts or OF the back aiiey
type, should never be permitted to grow up IN
Washington. The city should be model IN every
respect for all the cities OF the country. Inc
charitable and correctional systems OF the DIS.
trict should receive consideration at the hands OF
the congress to the end that they may emoooy
the results OF the most advanced thought in these
fields. Moreover, while Washington Is not great
industrial CITY, there is some industrialism here
and our labor legislation, while 1t would not De
important in itself, might be made model Tor
the rest OF the nation. We should pass, for IN
stance wise employers liability act for the Dis
trict Of Columbia, and We need such an act In
our navy yards Railroad companies In the Dis
trict ought to be required by law to block their
frogs
The safety appliance law, for the better pro-
lection OF the lives and limbs OF railway EN-,
ployees, which was passed in 1893, went into fuil
hnQ To-frIfA N
ing thousands Of casualties. Experience shows,
however, the necessity OF additional legislation
to perfect this law bill TO provide Tor TINS
passed the senate at the last session. 1t IS TO be
hoped that some such measure may now be en-
acted into law.
There is a growing tendency to provide for the
publication OF masses of documents for which
there is no public demand and for the printing OF
which there is no real necessity. Large numbers
OF volumes are turned out by the government
printing presses for which there is justification.
Nothing should be printed by any OF the depart
ments unless 1t contains something Of permanent
value and the congress could with advantage cut
down very materially on all the printing which
It has now become customary to provide. The
excessive cost OF government printing Is strong
argument against the position Of those who are
inclined on abstract grounds to advocate the gov
ernment's doing any work which can with pro-
priety be left In private hands.
Gratifying progress has been made during the
year in the extension OF the merit system OF max
ing appointments in the government service. II
should be extended by law to the District OF Co
lumbia. II is much to be desired that our con
sular system be established by law on basis
providing for appointment and promotion only in
consequence Of proved fitness.
Through 4 wise provision Of the congress at its
last session the White House, which had become
disfgured by incongruous additions and changes
has now been restored to what IL was planned 10
be by Washington. In making the restorations
the utmost care has been exercised to come as
near as possible to the early plans and to supple
ment these plans by careful study Of such
buildings as that Of the University Of Virginia,
which was built by jefferson. The White House
Is the property Of the nation, and so far as is
compatible with living therein it should be kept
as Il originally was, for the same reasons that
we keep Mount Vernon as II originally was. The
stately simplicity Of its architecture Is an ex-
preston Of the character Of the period in which
Il was built and is in accord with the purposes
Il was designed TO serve. 1t is a good thing to
preserve such buildings as historic monuments
which keep alive our sense OF continuity with the
nations past.
The reports OF the several executive depart
ments are submitted to the congress with this
communication THE0DoRB ROOSEVELT