The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-10-09

pOStOttice. Under such Il system With
in ten minutes a letter could he or it's
way to the addrcssee."
An estimate of the approximate cost
of the new pOstOffice building was not
ventured by Mr.. Bartholdt. but it is
understood that those who have had
the project under consideration esti-
mate that it would cost upward Of
$1,oOO.OOO. 1t would conform to the
stately architecture of the new Union
station and the government structures
on the hill.
Other Structures Contemplated.
Mr.. Hartholdt does not stop at the
city postotfice and the bureau of en-
craving and printing in recommending
new improvements for the national
capital. He believes the geological
survey is exceedingly cramped in its
present quarters and that a ley build
ing should he erected on the squares
bounded by Fourteenth and Fifteenth
streets and Pennsylvania avenue and
the Mall for the departments Of state,
justice and N and labor.
Dewey Rents Gift House.
Admiral Dewey has leased the house
at 1747 Rhode Island avenue, which
was given to him by the American
people as a reward for his victory at
Manila bay, to Frank Mitchell of
Washington. Mr.. Mitchell will occupy
the house in October.
Admiral and Mrs. Dewey vacated the
gift house last spring and moved to a
house owned by Mrs. Dewey at the
northwest corner of Sixteenth and X
l streets. This house was occupied by
; Mr.. Ethan Allen Hitchcock during his
service as secretary Of the interior. 1t
: is larger and better fitted for entertain
ing than the Rhode Island avenue
house.
The Most Beautiful City.
, Washington is the most beautiful
city in the United States and is claim
ed by many authorities to nave no peer
in the world. Paris has more magnif-
: cent vistas. but there are quarters of
the French capital with never a claim
to beauty. There are more shade trees
= In Washington than In any other city
" In the world. 1t has $4,000 trees, while
Paris, the mex In the list, has only
l $1,000. 1t must be remembered in this
Z connection that Paris has nearly
. ton h. but 100000.
Streets Of the Capital.
=. Washington streets are wider than
4 those of other cities, being originally
y from SO to 16O feet wide. Many Of
these were too wide for the demands
Of traffic, and when the improvement
Of the city began in the seventies the
thoroughfares were narrowed and the
portions next to the buildings were re-
y served as parking spaces. The pretty
strip Of green along both sides Of
Washington thoroughfares is really a
part of the street 1t is the property
. Of the United States and is not under
the control Of the wner of the abut-
ting property. although he must keep
!. up the lawn. The real estate is al
ways sold by the square foot instead
q Of by the clumsy front DOT method.
+ There is no law to compel the people
n to sweep the snow off the sidewalks in
winter, because they are the property
Of Uncle Sam. and a private citizen
cannot be compelled to care for gov
CAAAiSAN ktVlSAS.
Maintenance Of the District.
More than half Of the property in the
II District of Columbia ia owned by the
n United States, which pays half the to-
n tai expenses. while the property own.
IS ers Of the District pay the other half
It Until 1878 the general government
v paid nothing at all tOward the main
g tenance of the District. Even now
v the great undertakings for the perma.
nent improvement of the capital, out
d side of the public buildings, Of course,
are half paid for by the residents of
the District of Columbia. although the
whole people are interested in the com,
pletion of the plans which will make
e Washington the env Of the nations.
Negroes Of Washington.
q More negroes live in Washington
a than in any other city. 5000 Of the to-
tai population Of 10000 being African
Many Washington negroes are among
Z the most advanced Of their race, and
9 Washington is the only city where
there is a distinct Afro-American so
L ciety which applies the standards OF
American morals and manner to its
own conduct. While the negroes are
represented on the school board. have
e places Of honor Inc profit under the
District government and enjoy eQuali
l. ty before the law. the presence Of such
large numbers Of the race is partly re
II sponsible for Washington's peculiar
II government. for not all Washington
negroes are Of the better class. Many
O Of them are ignorant and shiftless. and
l. the criminal records Of the District
show this lower class in an uufavora
] BILE light. CARL SCHOFIELD.