Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-04
BARRY BULKLEY,

Secretary Business Mems Association)
Il regard the effort to give to Washing
ton a cross-town railroad as the most i'm
portant step in local conditions made dur
ing the year 1904.
The reasons for such a public utility are
many; the objections to it scattering, and,
in the maj ority of cases, based upon per-
sonal or selfish interests. Washington is
rapidly becoming a beautiful capital; it has
outgrown the days of infancy in railroad
ing and is approaching the highest degree
of excellence i'll its street car service. From
the "bob-tail'' to the cable; from the cable
to the electric it has gone through the
various stages with increasing comfort to
patrons and with credit to the citys reputa-
ton for energy and discernment of public
demands. The one essential now lacking
for q complete urban system is a cross
town road
II doubt if there exists elsewhere, in
city of one-half its siZe the want of such
a convenience and nowhere, probably, is
that want emphasized daily with so much
vigor in the District Of Columbia.
Congress has the matter under consid-
Grafton; it would be reflection upon the
intelligence of it's members to argue that
they will deny the public such pressing
need. Scarcely a citizens association that
has not argued in favor of a cross-town
road; while citizens generally, without re-
gard to utilization with such bodies. have
pleaded for it. 1t has been proposed that
the road run through the heart of the city.
BY all means! Where else should it run?
Not only will it give close and quick con-
nection with the western and eastern sec
tons of the District, but, running over the
Aqueduct bridge from Virginia, it will open
up hitherto unused and practically un-
explored parts of the Old Dominion. and,
by a course along the heights of the Poto-
mac. will afford a ride of almost unex-
ampled beauty, bringing within easy access
the Great Falls of the Potomac. of whose
grandeur and impressiveness the majority
of our residents and yearly visitors are in
ignorance. But above ALL what the pro-
posed cross-town road will accomplish is
direct and straight connection between To-
calities; more riding around Ropln
Hoods barn: but it will enable a resident
of Northwest Washington to reach, say,
lexington. without skirting around Ana
costa to accomplish his desire.
II was born in the District or Columbia
and have lived the greatest part of my life
here l have seen with pride the clty's
transformation from swamps to broad ave-
nues from squalor and insignificance to its
present attractiveness and beauty
Glow should Washington expect to main
tain rather should I say attain, a recog-
nized place among the great capitals of the
world unless it's development and improve
ment are on fixed and definite lines, IN con-
sonance with architectural harmony?
1.-THE appointment of carefully and i'm
partially selected art commission, whose
duty it shall be to pass upon the merits
and locate not only all MONUMENTS anu
statues hereafter to be placed in the ma
tional capital, but all the public buildings
as well, so that there may be no incon-
gruity either in design or arrangement,
would be of incalculable value to the mate
rial advancement of Washington, and one
thing for which the community should be
unit in striving. That which adds to the
enhancement of Washington contributes to
the advancement of its people, and the peo-
pie should endeavor to have it's beautifica-
ton harmonious
$50 much for the material side in the way
of advancement for the District. The in
terests and comfort of its people can be
best subserved, / feel by giving them in
creased opportunities for relaxation and
recreation. If half af the time wasted In
framing laws to restrict proper enjoyment
were given to devising means for the re-
Taxation of our people 1t would be, indeed.
time well spent. The Library of Congress.
the National Museum and the government
buildings should be open on Sunday to those
whose duties on week days prevent so much
as casual inspection of their interiors;
band concerts, such as prevail in many of
the cities of Europe, should be held in our
beautiful parks-a1l healthful and innocent
amusements should be encouraged. In a
word, give our people more relaxation and
more public places In which to enjoy that
relaxation which the tolls and cares of six
days in the week forbid"