Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-06
snread Over a Continent,

SDTead over u SOlLAASAt-
THE last century saw the American peo-
nile spread out over continent. ms cen
fury equally pressing problems are lnVoiVea
in the development of the great cehters o.
,,o,,,1at;on in the country they have made
their own. The governmental pooy "ilic l
drafted the homestead laws and mace pos
eih1e the trarscoutinental railroads may DC
expected TO promote sanely these new tdshs'
way is open in the upbulid1ne OF the nc
tional capital as modei Guy. ne ST.
ard should he set in social ana ecoiloiii iI
en1,ironu,ent as we'll as in broad avenue anu
stately public building.
"proeressive movements to this end are
being organized with enthusiasm py 80
dents of Washington. President RooSeNett
has urged such advances in his MESSAGE
citizens In many states are urging iocaiiy
for their own towns and cities What 10 ('il7
advocated for Washington: ii sts q,
form. for instance, is pressing torwaf9 ~
portland Maine and Los Angeles, III ~"
Orleans and Pittsburg and Chlcaeo, oe1
NIoines Buffalo. Hartford. AS the hatlo. 70,
capital and as typical AiaeIlG al
setting of high standards for washington
would help along notably the HoNeillen ne
Gov. hettering living conditions throughout
the country a.. .od
onarters in New York, it is national III
Scone The chairman of the puollcattoh
committee is Jane Adams. the slum worker
and philanthropist of Chicago. Prof' u. !.
n
~ the members In its argument 1t says:
.oThe significant fact is not that WASH
ington is so much worse than otheL idI g
American cities. but that move nehts iof I'M
movement have been blocked by manner
ence from the outside. The President mas
urged reform. The District board OF COM
missioners in executive control or the DlS-
trIct have urged reforms. Progressive resi-
dants of washington have organized move
ments TO the same end. But year after
year has seen the defeat in Congress OF
measures that would prohibit child LABOR
in the District. and would lessen ITS frlght-
fuI infarst death rate: would require COM
pulsory education for its children at the
hands of the same authority which Dulids
schools for the Tagalogs' ana would rae
aIley shacks fairly under tie caves or the
CanItol which on the word of two senators,
are not fit to stable cows.
Congress as Common Council.
Congressional indifference of about the
hulk and shapeiness of the Washington
monument was responsible for the failure
of the entire grist OF measures introduced
last winter to better conditions. The Wash
ineton monument has stone from every
state in the Union. The civic neglect OF the
national capital comes from the same
ouarries There is the southern congress
man who opposes compulsory education be-
cause the Washington schools are already
too full. The son Of friend could not be
admitted to a school room. 1t has not oc-
CURED to him to urge more schools He
would keep more children out to make
room for his protege The most important
sanitary measure OF last winter was killed
by western senator because of his pique
at the local health officers order affecting
his own COW stables. clean-shayen north
ern statesman dozed through a committee
hearing. Indifferent to disease and misery
described of Washington alleys. Suddenly he
sat up with a jump. 1t was When speaker
brought home the fact thai in the midst
of this squalor hung the wash of the SEN
- gl,f IN
members of both houses have given much
time and ability to the affairs of the Dis
trtct. For the most part, IL Is to be be-
Iieved there is no Intentional disregard of
the general welfare of the District Mem
bers of Congress live but part of the year
in Washington. and their time Is In heavy
demand. If the facts are once brought
thoroughly to their attention 1t Is believed
that prompt action will result
Matter-of-Fact Way.
ITO this end the national publication
committee is going at the situation In the
same matter-of-fact way that tae residents
OF a Chicago neighborhood or a St. Louis
side street, would set about cleaning up
their ward politics or getting a pavement.
Civic leagues, womans cubs charitable
CARNATIONS and the like throughout the
| country are being asked to bring the mat
ter before their representatives and sem
ators The national capital ought to Lead
| they are told. so long as II drags behind,
4 IL ntndeTS pfDSTeSS III YOUR lUWH ana ours.
| Residents OF the District have no votes. 1t
| Is the senators and representatives from
your state and ours who are the common
| council and state legislature and powers
| that-be generally for the District of CO.
| lunlbia Voters In your state and ours are
/ the only ones who have any say. directly or
| indirectly. In the affairs of Washington.
| Whether or not the American people have a
1 capital city that can be credit to them
/ rests with you and us.
| In this connection the committee on the
| Improvement of housing conditions OF the
| Associated Charities of this city has held a
| number of meetings lately to advance and
1 push vigorously the campaign for housing
| improvements. The subcommittee on inves-
| tigation has recently gotten together facts
upon which to base an argument for tho
| gradual elimination OF dwellings located on
| interior courts or blind alleys. This COM
mtttee hopes to cooperate most thoroughly
i with the new Official commission recently
/ appointed by the District Commissioners.
Situation Of Alley Dwellings.