The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-21
the Editor Of The Washington Times.

10 the kditOr on lhe " Sshington Times.
You speak in a recent editorial OF
the so-called improvements made
twenty-five years In advance OF the
city's needs" and in effect that you
would rather hear the song OF the birds
and traverse old highways than see the
evidences OF great public improve
ments."
The District of Columbia. not the city.
is, under the Constitution. the home OF
the United States Government and TO-
000. 900 Of loyal people are rejoicing in
its wonderful growth and development;
while the local taxpayer stands ready
tc bear his just proportion OF the ex-
pense. no matter how great, to make IL
the most beautiful and attractive city
in the world. Aye. more. Private enter
prise and private capital have done
more and are doing more today than
their just proportion, and for a hundred
years have blazed the way over which
public improvements have followed
with tardy appropriations
The record and history of the District
show that for seventy-fve years the
single highway north Of the old boun-
dairy line TO the District to provide fo-
the increasing demands Of travel. and
along which private Improvement might
follow. Even to this day, from the An
acostia River on the east TO the Poto-
mac on the west, the old thoroughfares
which existed a hundred years ago are
in many cases in most deplorable and
neglected condition, wholly Inadequate
to meet the demands of our growing
population, and in some cases even a
menace TO those whose daily avocations
require them to traverse them. AS evil
dence of the truth OF this l need only
invite attention to the present miserable
condition of Brightwood Avenue. the
Brentwood Road, the Bladensburg Pike.
and the ola highways west of Rock
Creek.
Funds for Expanding the City.
Are you not aware that Fourteenth
Street or ''Piney Branch Road Is to-
day and always has been so narrow as
to make it dangerous. and in many
places less than mile from Columbia
Heights, where land is worth 81 and SO
per square foot, great precipices and
gullies border it which should be fenced
for the safety OF the travelling public?
Leaving the east of Rock Creek. and
considering the west side toward Ten
leytown. are you not aware that over
this vast territory the Government has
soJ,.
nue. of travel from the old city line in
the past 100 years. except Massachusetts
Avenue, which has long been in an un-
finished condition?
Connecticut Avenue extended was not
projected or completed at Government
expense, but by a syndicate of gentle
mer who purchased more than a thous-
and acres of land from Rock Creek 10
Chevy Chase, dedicated the full width
OF the avenue. graded it. built elaborate
bridges at great cost. and for a long
time operated an electric road over IL.
Only recently the Government appro-
priated money insignificant in amount
conn AIRED TO that which the California
syndicate expended, 10 widen and grade
it
Many Valuable Suburbs.
The same may be said OF Washington
Heights, Petworth, lexington ana other
I flourishing subdivisions which have
been developed almost wholly at private
expense, where the streets have not only
1 been dedicated and graded. but curbeJ
and concerted. sidewalks put down, wa
ter mains and sewers laid. even the
lighting provided. and then turned over
to contribute in rich measure to the ex-
chequer Of the District.
Would you. while contemplating the
growth and grandeur Of Washington
eliminate Mount Pleasant. Columbia
Heights. Washington Heights. Chevy
Chase. lexington. Brookland. Langdon.
Takoma. Woodbridge, Brightwood. Pet
worth, and other subdivisions beyond the
old city limits defined by you? Do you
believe for a moment that downtown
property on F Street, G Street. Penn
sylvania Avenue, CT on Capitol Hill even,
to which you refer. would be as valua-
bic as il is without these and many
ether evidences of the development of
our National Capital
Citizens of Public Spirit.
| Is il fair for you, having the general
welfare of the city at heart. as 1 believe
you have, and desiring, as l know you
do. TO see it developed and improved.
increase in population, wealth, and
magnificence, 10 characterize, as you
do. men like Thomas z. Waggaman and
John Sherman, who have, at their own
| expense. made Cleveland Park what ii
| is today. the most beautiful subdivision
outside of Washington? Mr.. Waggaman
recently expended a hundred thousand
dollars for grading property adjacent
| TO Connecticut Avenue. west of Rock
Creek. The gentlemen composing the
California syndicate and Senator New
lands, under the wise administration OF
/ Edward J. Stellwagen, have not only
expended several hundred Thousand dol
| lars to make Chevy Chase and the Con-
necticut Avenue section admirable, but
a part of beautiful Washington, so that