Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-18
Pride in Washington.

made all that the ambition of wealthy
people wishes it to be.
Pride in Washington.
Works of art. dignified and varied archi-
lecture, grand public edifices, beautiful
drives. long vistas, magnificent boulevards
all these things. when they come, will add
to the moral influence of the city. Patriot
ism, in demanding such things. stimulates
it's own growth. Visitors to the city Of
Washington now go home with truer idea
of the genius of the federal government; of
its institutions, of its service in all direc-
tionS-itS service as an educational and sci
entific power-and with respect which
they could not gain under the old regime.
We are proud of Washington as it is; we
are all proud of the effect its Institutions
have upon our guests from abroad. How
many times we have met them after a visit
to the Congressional Library, for instance,
and heard their expressions of admiration.
Nothing has more thoroughly convinced
the foreign visitor of the power and the
genius of the American people than the
Congressional Library Nowhere in any
capital can such a structure be found, no.
where can a public building match it, but
when, on the other hand, they see that it Is
the outer covering of a structure of educa-
ton of art, of the soul of the people, their
home with a respect for the American peo-
pie that no other single institution in
duceS.
A Stream Of Visitors.
Our own citizens are proud of 1t. They
tell the story of Its beauty to their friends
al home. and the result is a constant
stream Of visitors to the city of Washing
ton. that in many instances would not ar
rive were 1t not for the stimulation COM
ing from that one grand exemplification Of
the greatness Of our nation. The other pub
lie buildings Of the city aid in all this and
1t can easily be imagined that, should the
proposed plans be carried out even partial
y, Washington will become the Mecca of
the patriotic travellers of our land.
Anything that inspires respect for the
government. admiration for its genius. and
love for its fostering care and for its en-
deavors to enlighten the people through the
great institutions that exist in Washington
Is certainly to be encouraged, and of itself
this ethical influence Is sufficient, 1t seems
to me, to induce the Congress to enter upon
the work proposed 1 feel very sure that
the voters Of the land will support any
measure for the Improvement of their own
capital They are proud of 1t now that
they know it; they will be prouder still of it
when 1t Is made what 1t can be and when
all the structures that are now unsightly
and belong to the uglifying influences of
the city are removed and in their places
the beautiful architectural designs are
found in the practical results Of construc-
ton.
is proposed must meet with appreciation.
Washington has already become the winter
residence OF many wealthy citizens, and
the resort Of students who find here the
facilities for experimenting their college
and university work. The results of the
plan now proposed would expand this an
nual pilgrimage; hence property would find
more stable IL not Increased values and all
the accompaniments-trade, transportation,
every desirable feature-would secure In
creased attraction.
An Industrious City.
1t is sometimes lamented that Washing
ton Is not an Industrial city. and our bust
ness and commercial bodies are endeavor-
ing to secure the erection of great manu-
featuring plants. This is perfectly natural
from a purely business point of view; but
can Washington become great manufact-
uring center? Is 1t desirable that 1t should
become such? The city Is now one of the
most Industrious places in the country. In
the United States at large over 80 per cent
Of the population over ten years Of age are
engaged in some remunerative occupation;
in Washington nearly 55 per cent of its
population over ten years Of age are so
engaged. This state Of affairs constitutes
ness of the town. Its local manufactures,
etc, offer employment to be sure. but the
industrial development of Washington does
not offer for the future any great induce
ment to make 1t a manufacturing center.
The economic position Of the city Is ap-
preached more fairly from the sociological
side than from the purely Industrial point
of view. Wages are higher here, on the
whole, than in any part OF the country, so
far as skilled labor Is concerned, and 30 far
as the clerical work Of the departments Is
taken into consideration. compensation Is
much greater than in private business. As
Washington has grown without industry,
without commerce. is 1t not well to preserve
It as the center of legislative action, of SCI
entific development, of art and of educa-
ton? 1t can prosper on these lines, and the
country at large. believe, will gladly sup
port and encourage 1t in Its future grand
development. There will be manufactured
here from time to time as now. the things
which are needed for the consumption Of
the people residing here. and it may be well
In particular instances to have Industries
located in the vicinity Of Washington, that
its people may secure the products at first
hands. All these things would find expan-
siye results in carrying out the proposed
plans for the further development OF the
city. Thus. economically, these plans offer
the strongest inducement for Congress to
adopt them.
In an Ambitious Mood.
Lubke opens his History OF Art with
this statement. taken from the German
artist-poet Platen:
THE moro things thou lsarnest to know