The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-28
He DEVELOPMENT OF WASHINGTON AS A NATIONAL CAPITAL

Probably nothing is more generally
conceded by thoughtful people than It e
proposition that the cities and sur
roundtngs of a population should be as
beautiful and ennobiing as possible
Most of the Older cities grew without
plan or much thought of the future
with the consequence that many de-
sired subsequent improvements were
rendered either impossible or burden
somely expensive, and generally but
partially practicable at any cost.
Narrow and crooked streets, devoid
OF good vistas or symmetry. air or
light. with awkward grades, and build
ings Of all heights and all imaginable
and unima ginable materials and de-
signs. have been unrestricted excep
where private or syndicate ownership
with the business sagaeity TO see thFt
beautiful things are more valuable than
the commonplace OF ugly-have caused
streets 10 be beautifully laid out and
built up.
Foresight and Coed Advice.
Why should not the people. as a body
polite, through its own self-gOvern-
ment.' do the same thing for the gem
eral good? A little foresight and good
advice, obtainable at very little eX-
pense. would save the case II the ma
Jority of the people would stop to
think about it. Undertakings OF this
character are neither difficult nor en-
barrassing 10 the existing generation.
for pOsterity could be left To do it's full
share, while every move would be q
material present Improvement proper
tionateiy valuable and enjoyable.
No grand general plan for a prospec-
lively large city can be executed with
IN any few years. nor even within any
"a r,fF Of L.
opment must depend on that Of the
growth OF the city.
Therefore, general plan and set Of
fundamental principles should be
adopted as early as possible, and there
after jealousy guarded by a competent
advisory Office or commission TO see.
whenever any new building or other
Improvement is undertaken, that IL con-
forms 10 the prescribed plan.
Thus may even the present genera
ton enjoy and profit by the growing
beauty and attraetiveness of the city.
and at the same time leave to its sue
oessor an easier opportunity instead of
a blockade OF continuous DEVELOPMENT
In the same direction If we start If
wisely IL will surely grow with geo
metricaI progression, because each
added item of real beauty Will increase
the beautiful effect and beget improve
ment by multiplication instead OF ad-
dition
Happily. however, a new era has
already dawned and become well es-
tabltshed in the country, and the larger
cities are fast lining up in thoughtful
and intelligent consideration Of the sub
jet. They are especially recognizing
the material as well as the purely
esthetic value OF directing civic opera
tons as much as possible along artis-
tie lines, and that it pays, for the city
thus becomes more attractive, popu-
lous. and rich.
Beautiful Boston.
Boston took Up the subject with char
aeteristic vigor and good taste years
ago. and made itself. with its suburbs.
the most beautiful and attractive of
any city in the country, eXpending
SS0,OoO,o0O in parks, bouleyards. and land
scape treatment interposed through
more than two hundred square miles OF
territory and costing half a million dol
lars annually Tor maintenance.
New York, Baltimore, Buffalo, ClevC-
land, Chicago, with its already extensive
boulevards and parks; Minneapolis and
ST. Paul combined, St Louis, Kansas
City. and New Orleans have all taken
the matter in hand in recent years and
established their civic art commissions |
Most Of Them have already made sucn
remarkable progress that the improve |
ments are their most interesting fea-
lures.
The subject is not now a new one.
and the development of Washington as |
the National Capital. lately brought TO |
the front more prominently than ever /
before. by an accelerated growth OF pop
ulatiOn and OF Government interests.
presents nothing strange nor difficult |
of realization. Unlike Europe, with /