The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-11
t Sewer FaCili-
ii Check De-
lopnnent
s0NG &TINENT VIEWS
SuggeStion as to Alteration
of the East Front of
Capitol.

In the general process of pruning
which viii be applied to the District ap-
preparation bill by the committees OF
the Senate and House. as now fore
Swallowed, the knife viii be used yigor-
ously on the estimates for the extension
OF sewers in the suburban sections.
Without being advised as To whether
these cuts viii be general in their ma
tuEe, or viii AFFECT special localities. it
may be said that radical adherence to
This purpose viii be most unfortunate
Tor the upbuilding Of the suburbs.
No one subject has been more consis-
tently and persistently agitated by the
several suburban citizens associat fons
Than this of the extension of sewer and
water facilities. 1t has been emphasiz-
ed in reports and resolutions innumera-
Die 10 the District authorities and 10
the committees Of Congress.
Ii has been represented-and justly so
that water and sewers are elementary
necessities without which there can be
no systematic Improvement Of any given
locality
Hundreds OF thousands of dollars have
been spent i'm preparing large tracts Of
suburban land FOR settlement. but. OF
course, an this expense of time ana
money will have been in vain IL Con
sress fans TO authorize those elemental
conveniences without which no sane man
would nowadays undertake 10 build in
any section, no matter how attractive
otherwise
Ignoring the Suburbanites.
One or the most enterprising and vet
conservative promoters of suburban de-
NelOpglent a man who himself owns
considerable OF this kind OF property
and who has used his means generously
10 exploit il, expressed himself on tie
threatened cutting process. with the un-
Outstanding that his identity should not
be disclosed. for the reason that ne viii
in all probability De called upon 10
give ms views before one or the other
OF the committees that will have the
MATTER IN naad:
Il regret exceedingly" said he ysster-
day. that there appetrs 10 be q dIsDa-
sitiun 10 ignore again the perfectly JUS !
Unable demands OF people vino own /
property in the suburbs and who would I
like 20 develop ia In order 10 meet the 4
constantly decreasing demand for subur- /
ban residences. While 1 appreciate the
force OF the contention thar fuu ac-
count ought 10 be taken OF the city's |
needs ia the matter Of sewer extension. /
YET / do not think that because Of This I
fact the reasonable needs OF The sub /
trbs should be ruthlessly ignored
Il think Congress should take into due /
consideration the wen-known fact mat 4
within the last ten yeats millions of :
dollars have been invested in the pur-
chase and development Of land living
outside or the city limits proper ana
that the men who bought this land have
a right to expect from the Legislature
that such primal necessities az water
and sewers VIII not be withheld from
them.
City Congestion Relieved.
The suggestion that the suburbs must
wait until all the needs Of the city IN
this respect have been supplied IS utter
- untenable L have never known Il 10
n advanced On the case of any other
great city ai-d fl certainly is nslapropos /
In the case OF the Capital CITY OF IN. |
United States.
III there Is speculative element iu 1
this question OF suburban development /
and J. do not deny that there is-there Is /
Involved IN ID al the same time a clearly 4
recognizable civic and philaul hropic mo-
tive. BY the upbuilding OF the suburbs !
We relieve The congestion or the city
AGAINST which an civic reformers are /
crying out, and besides serving a merely 4
unitarian purpose an esthetic end also /
Is attained.
There arr many special reasons for
the speediest possible Improvement Of
Nashington's suburbs. and ] hope 10
have the opportunity 10 present some Of
them 10 the District Committee Of the
Senate or the House before the close Of
the present session. Nor do 4 abandon
the hope that Congress will appreciate
the reasonab leness OF the demand Of the
suburbs FOR adequate sewers and waterl
falIFftsr=