Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-05
Washington's Needs.

study of the five-column symposium
printed in yesterdays Star, giving the views
of District citizens as 10 the most impor-
tant advances scored by the capital during
the past year and the most urgent needs for
the new one. should convince any person
that Washington is rapidly approaching the
contamination of the ideals of it's founders
and builders. II is becoming a great city i'll
the items that pertain to the health, happi-
ness and prosperity of its people. 1t has
emerged from the chrysalis state in which it
was so long imprisoned by virtue of a policy
of congressional neglect and national indif-
ference. and under the impulse of a coun-
try-wide awakening to its Importance and
its requirements it Is one by one gaining the
ends for which its best friends have long
been fighting.
A synopsis of the needs voiced by the off,
Gals of the District and of citizens or
CARNATIONS contributing to the symposium
presents the case as follows:
Permanent settlement of the finances for
the District of Columbia.
Legislation and appropriations for mu-
mcipal improvements.
"A music and convention hall large enough
for holding the inaugural balls and recep-
tons.
New home for the municipal government
Development of the park system.
additional trees for the city streets.
Public places of recreation.
Place for the care of persons suffering
with tuberculosis.
Reclamation of the Anacostia fats.
DO away with alley houses.
New laws to conform to modern hygiene
and sanitation.
High pressure water service"
In comparison with the work that has
been done in the past fifteen years for the
creation of
program deals chiefly with minor details.
As regards the relations with Congress, de-
spite certain unsatisfactory conditions still
existing. the District is assured of success
in securing the needful means for building
up its municipal equipment to meet the cur
rent requirements and of progress mean
while in the making of it's greater improve
ments. satisfactory adjustment of
finances is absolutely necessary, however
TO the end that the cost of the permanent
works may not be imposed wholly upon the
taxpayers of today
1t is urgently demanded in the interest of
pubic health and good morals that the
laws relating to the sanitation of the civ
De strengthened in general along the lines
suggested by the President in his message
TO congress The local officials agree that
these steps are necessary if Washington is
to be known as a model CITY
An increase in the cost limit of the new
municipal building is essential unless Con-
gress insists upon imposing a shabby. sec
ond-class structure upon the District and
dlshguring the capitals historic chief thor
oughfare with cheap affair. The District
is willing to stand its share of the addition
to the cost, and the general government,
far better able than the local community,
should be glad to meet it half way in this
respect.
With far better knowledge of the situ-
alton in the District on the part of Con-
gress than in former years, and a clearer
national appreciation of the federal city $
needs in the details of equipment it is pos
sible for the municipal authorities, backed
by an undivided public sentiment, to score
material gains in the new year. With so
much already accomplished in substantial
terms. whatever is secured looking to the
ends pointed out in The Stars symposium
will be permanently for the betterment of
the people and the solution of the capital
making problem.