The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-28

municipality. nor do they throw awav
their earnings IN riotOus living In the
second place the erection OF these build
ings means the rapid enhancement Of
realty values thus adding To the wealth
Of the individuals and increasing the
tax returns. both of which results d.
reetly benefit the entire city
but these are not the only advan-
taFes that this building era has brought
to the city. Il has given lucrative en-
pioymeHt TO hundreds OF workmen who
have brought their families TO this city.
| and who now may be reckoi. I'd among
| the sober. Industrious Iaboring class.
Their employment is profitable and they
| are contented and happy
The building trades are not the only
ones which are forging to the front at
| this time. Every other commercial I'M
dertaking is progressing satisfactorily
Washington has many advantages which
other cities can never overcome IN the
great competitive race for supremacy.
| While IL would not be exactly safe TO
4 predict that Washington would eventu-
| ally become a greater city in point OF
| population than New York or Chicago.
/ stu in many other respects our city
Will surely rank far above any other
municipality in the world. Close OBJ
| SCI FdAiDu mas Clearly demonstrated Ll6L
| Washington has the finest streets and
avenues in The New World No other
city can in any degree be compared with
the Capital City in this respect.
Miles of Smooth Streets.
"other centers of trade have been
forced to adopt the unsIghtly and dis
comforting Belgium block in order to
stand the rough usage TO which the
| thoroughfares are subjected. Here the
maintenance fund for streets has been
unusually low for a number OF years.
and Il viii continue TO be so for the rea-
son that Washington has never fostered
the growth OF manufactures within Ger
tain sections OF the District. As a con-
sequence there has been little Of the
heavy drayage work that has been so
evident in other cities.
However. this does not mean Wash
ingtons vicinity may not become a
great manufacturing center The sub
urss on this side. as well as across the
Potomac. are Offering every inducement
10 the capitalist who cares 10 establish
industrial plants. These will. OF course,
have a refiexiye action upon Washing
ton which VIII cause the city 10 grow,
and at the same time those who have
been reared with the idea that Washing
| ton should be exclusively a residence
city will not be offended by the condi-
tions which viii come about
1t Is true that in the past few years
the wear and tear upon the streets OF
Washington have been unusually great.
but even this misfortune is only another
indication of the truth Of the statement
that the city is enjoying an unprece-
denied growth. The deterioration in
the thoroughfares has been due solely 10
the fact that during the period men
toned there has been an enormous
amount of hauling. This hauling has
been caused by the moving OF building
material, bricks. marble. granite. etc.
10 all sections OF the city. Congress is
beginning TO realize the necessity for
greater appropriations in this direction,
and the repairs 10 the public highways
will be ordered in proportion 10 the ex-
igencies which viii arise.
All Port Advantages.
Another fact that is worthy OF men
ton is that Washington is in q posi-
ton TO import material direct from for
eign ports. For example. schooners and
steamers laden with asphalt from Trini-
dad can be unloaded at the docks in
Georgetown. This is an ADVANTAGE
} which places US almost on a par with
Baltimore and Philadelphia as far as
freight rates are concerned.
Washington is becoming better
known throughout the country also.
not merely as the place where Congress-
cOnvenes, and where the White House
is located. but as a business and resi-
/, / vel
number of local firms which have en-
, tered actively into competition with the
, great concerns of New York. Chicago,
Pittsourg. St Louis, and other large
q | cities These places have until recent
{ ly had practically a monopoly of the
e various lines of contract work. Now
= Washington companies have entered
e into the field with a vim and they are
= winning new laurels for themselves and
: for the home Office city every month
A few years ago it would have seemed
preposterous to say that in 1906 Wash
ington firms would be successful bid
ders for this or that contract in Baltf-
e more. Richmond. Memphis. Atlanta, or
Norfolk. But today it is a common oc-
: currenee, Washington by virtue of her
: geographical position has a better claim
Z upon work TO the South of her thea
" have New York, Philadelphia, and Chi
!. cage, ard she has only recently taken
! advantage of this fact As the idea
becomes more generally accepted. the
extension OF business plans in this di-
:, rection Will be enormous
n Growing Leisure Class
n ono one can think OF Washington
+ today in comparison with the city of a
: decade ago without taking note of the
; great additions TO our population
among the weather. classes. The cap
Il tains of industry and the leaders in the
= financial and social world flock 10
/ Washington every season. Many are
$ building handsome residences here. and
, there will be more of these in the near
!. future. It is now just as well estab-
II lished social custom to come 10
! Washington during the winter season
J as it is to go to Newport in the sum-
! mer, or il is for Londoners to en-
Il bark for the Riviera al a stated time.