Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-06
An Occasion to Celebrate.

Washington will have the best of reason
to celebrate the opening of the new union
station, as suggested at the meeting or the
Board of Trade last evening, and there IS
also the best of reason why the initiative
for such an observance of the occasion
should come from that organization. For
the seventeen years of its existence the
Board of Trade has labored earnestly and
in the end effectively for the abolition of
grade crossings In this city, and for the
Improvement generally of the steam rail-
road conditions here. During the first sea-
son Of it's activity 1t adopted resolutions
which placed itself squarely on record in
opposition to the granting of grade cross
Ing privileges to any new lines, and 1t also
pledged itself to work for the abatement of
the deadly nuisance. AS individuals and as
an organization It's members strove from
year to year with Congress to secure the
necessary legislation. and too much credit
cannot be given to the Board of Trade for
the creation and maintenance of the strong
public sentiment in favor of better and
safer railroad terminal equipment for the
capital which later exerted a potent infiu-
ence in finally shaping the laws now in
course of execution.
The Stars fight against grade crossings
and for decent railroad terminals has been
OF longer duration than that of the Board
of Trade. merely because of the longer life
of The Star. In its campaigns for the public
security and for capital development in this
respect this paper has had an active and
able ally in the Board of Trade, and 1t now
heartily indorses the proposition to mark
the contamination of the great endeavor
with ceremonies appropriate to the occa-
sion and in spirit of Thanksgiving and ap-
probation
To make this celebration significant and
commensurate preparations should be made
In good season. The affair should not be
tawdry or hastily planned. 1t should be-
speak the spirit of the new Washington the
true capital. 1t should be memorable and in
keeping with the magnitude of the work
now in Its last stages. work that is cost
Ing many millions and that is designed to
give Washington a unique rank among
American cities for the splendor and COM
pleteness of its railroad equipment
Inasmuch the railroad Improvement
has been financed by three interests the
railroads the District and federal govern
ment. the celebration should partake of this
same triple character. Each of the three
partners has something to be thankful for
on such an occasion. The railroads will
a model terminal rejecting credit upon
them and insuring an increase of business
as Washington becomes more and more at
tractive to tourists. The government will
nave reason to be grateful in that a prob
lem OF long standing and extreme difficulty
mas been solved The District will have per-
maps the most reason to be grateful in that
IT has finally been freed from a menace and
granted transportation outfit second to
none In the world and expressed in terms
OF the newly awakened American apprecia-
tion of the District.
Therefore. this commemoration, whatever
form 1t may take, should be broad enough
to include all the factors in the equation
which has solved the problem. II the COM
munity will but pause to reflect upon the
meaning OF the day when the new station
Is thrown open to the public it will without
doubt. respond heartily to any call that
may be made for assistance to make the
celebration worthy the occasion