The Washington times., 1906-03-06
Continued from First Page)

Seeing Washington" automobiles which
roll down Pennsylvania avenue, the av-
erage visitor exudes patriotism and
breathes big breaths. Not until he
starts TO live there the year round does
he find such deficiencies as these:
No compulsory school attendance. and
10000 children last year not attending
school
No law against childreh's s work.
No special Juvenile court.
No all-the-year-round Fairgrounds.
No adequate housing laws. but slun
conditions as bad as those of chicago
and New York without the excuse OF
being a great Industrial. center or De
ing crammed between rivers
Congressional Indifference of about
the bulk and shapeliness Of The wash
ington Monument was responsible Tor
the failure OF the entire grist OF meas
ureS introduced last winter to better
conditions. The Washington Monu-
ment has a stone from every State in
the Union The civic neglect Of the
National Capital comes from the same
quarries.
There is the Southern Congress
man who opposes compulsory educa-
tion because the Washington schools
friend could not be admitted TO a
school room. 1t has not occurred 10
him to urge more schools. He would
keep more children cat to make room
iOf MS pEoteBe-
Senator fIeary's" Cow.
The most important sanitary meas
ure Of last winter was killed by a
Western Senator because of his pique
at the local health officers order af-
fecting his own cow stables. A clean
shaven Northern statesman dozed
through a committee hearing, indiffer-
ent 10 the disease and misery describ-
ed Of Washington alleys. Suddenly he
sat up with a jump II was when
speaker brought home the fact that in
the midst OF this squalor hung the
wash Of the Senate barber shop.
''On the other hand certain members
of both houses have given much time
and ability to the affairs Of the Dis
trict Fer the most part. il is TO be
believed. there Is no intentional disre-
gard Of the general welfare of the Dis
frfct Members of Congress live but a
| part OF the year in Washington, and
! their time Is IN heavy demand II the
| facts are once brought thoroughly 70
| their attention il is believed that
| prompt action will result
| The letters sent TO members Of Con-
Cress by the National Publication
Committee Of New York. with a view
| 10 remedying Congressional 5ethargyr
/ say:
misery Near Idpltoi-
within gunshot or the halls OF
| Congress and the White House are
! alley shacks in which girls (white and
| colored). are growing up in the mids1
| Of disease, filth. and dilapidation
, which are indescribable as an Ameri-
! can home. This need not be so. IN
/ the Capital City of a country whose
/ educational standards match those OF
I the world, we are told OF boys reach
( ing mans estate-iIliterate and no Law
! to prevent This need not be so
I A way is open in the upbuiiding OF
I the National Capital as model CITY.
I The standard should be set IN SoCldl
and economic environment as well as
| in broad avenue and stately public
/ building"
The committee has sent broadcast over
! the country copies of Neglected Neigh
/ bors" written by Charles +. Weller
/ secretary Of the Associated Charities
/ here. for Charities and the Commons.
/ a publication in New York 20 better
| slum conditions everywhere- This art
| icIe says the alleys OF Washington arc
| Tesponsible for crime and NTH II CON
| tiHues:
tremes OF moral degradation aJsd af-
4 fords some striking Instances OF over
/ CrOwding. for example. SlN-Tocnl
| house containing FIVE famiIies-on
/ four-Toou dwelling with a separate
! family In each room. one Of them COM
DTisinE a man. his grown daughter
with her three iIleEitima1e children. and
another woman who Is not married to
! the man. but SAYS: ] lust stays with
/ him
! Another house has three rooms
/ housing three families. one Of whom,
l including two adults and two children.
| live In the lean-JO kitChen-an unplaS-
| tered. dilapidated wooden shell-where
| they drag out greasy mattresses at night
| to nut between them and the cold floor.