Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-11
IN THE GARB OF SPRING
Graceful Forms of Foliage That
Border the Streets.
SHOW CITY OF THE COUNTRY
Not Only Beautiful, But Is Also
Wholesome.
EXPERTS RECENT CONCLUSION
What Is Being Done to Improve Con-
dition of Places Apt to
Be Neglected.
SHOW CITY OF THE COUNTRY
EXPERTS RECENT CONCLUSION

The beauty of the spring garb of the CITY
Is SO striking that II arouses the attention
of those who are usually Indifferent or too
busy to give much thought to Nature II Is
not confined to few sections of the city
where parks may be located or some favor
ed streets where trees have been planted as
In other places, but the entire city is adorn-
ed with the fresh and attractive coors and
forms of the season. The trees are the
chief element in this vernal decoration. As
they line the streets on both sides the long
vistas bordered with greenery close with
the same soft masses OF foliage
/ The growth of the trees has been such
that in many cases the arching branches
almost meet at the center of the street To
See to the best this feature of natures
great spring display there ought to be some
provision by which foot passengers could
use for time the center OF the streets, for,
in no other way can the full effect OF the
foliage be enjoyed. The variety in the
forms OF the branches and the beauty and
the grace of the varied shapes found In
the leaves is as fully displayed in the trees
or the city as Is the case in most forests
because of the different species that are to
be found within the urban limits.
The Luxuriance Of Beauty. g.
Then the luxuriance Of the growth is such
that the foliage In abundance and in the
symmetry Of shape as well as in the changes
in the forms furnishes all the variety In
these particulars that can be found in the
country, With the trees as they are today
in their variety and luxuriance Of form
and foliage and the soft beauty Of ;iths
lawns that skirt the streets and the nurner-
GUS parks filled with shrubbery and flowers.
1t is not surprising these external aspects
Of Washington should arouse the admiring
comments mot only Of visitors but of resi-
dents. 49, .,,s.,- ss......
Simply from the scenic point of view
Washington forms a notable picture at this
season of the year, and each year 1t is said
with truth that the city was never as beau.
and the grace of the foliage Of the trees.
At the same time there IL evidence that
what appeals to the eye Is not merely an
attractive shell or covering. and that be-
meath the surface II one cared to go. in the
side streets and alleys, are not to be found
filth and disease breeders. II is not meant
to be said that In. this city there are no
slums, but 1t Is clear to- any impartial eye
that such places are not as bad as they are
in other large cities, and while II is admit
ted they ought not to exist at all, still II Is
satisfactory to the citizens Of Washington
to know the conditions show an improve
ment over those Of few years ago. and
that the improvement is stiilFin progress.
What Is Being Done. 4e-g.f
Such was brought out clearly in the rs-
Po1t VI SdAnSS D. 1tSJuOiQS WIN, at the TO-
quest OF President Roosevelt, has been in
vestigating housing conditions Of the peer
IN this city. HA ands that the law, enacted
Last year giving the District Commission
ers authority to condemn insanitary houses,
also the law providing the money to con-
denim property needed for changing alleys
into minor streets as well as the work Of
the commission appointed by the District
Commissioners to improve the construction
and sanitary condition Of dwellings through
amendments to the. building regulations,
have produced good results, and are likely
to continue to have such an Influence. 80
In recommending to the President the aps
pointing of q homes commission, as, he
terms it. and which has already been desigs
mated by the President. Mr.. Reynolds FEN.
ders valuable testimony to the condition OF
those sections Of the city where the pooref
classes dwell by limiting the scope Of such
a commission to the consideration of such
questions as the need OF recreation
grounds and public baths, remedial agencies
for the immoral life in the alleys and
agencies for social betterment, such as in
dustrial education. the public library and
the encouragement OF the excellent system
Of model workingmens dwellings similar
to those built by the Washington Sanitary
Housing Company"
Conditions Might Be Worse.
Mr.. Reynolds is recognized as an expert
along these particular lines. and no doubt
his report Is the outcome Of an exhaustive
examination Of conditions in what are
called the slums Of this city. 1t is quite ap-
parent Washington has Of right the title OF
the most beautiful city in the country and
also with equal force to being the place
where the people as whole are the best
housed. What are called the slums Of
Washington are not nearly as bad those
In the average city. and while there are
conditions here which ought to be improved.
yet 1t is encouraging to note from this re-
port what progress is being made In that
direction and how efficiently the work of
getting rid Of insanitary buildings is going
on here,
In many respects Washington is the model
residence city in this country, hut ii is
thought that in all respects this city ought
to furnish an example in municipal good gov
eminent. One difficulty about giving pub
LEFTY to conditions here Is the inevitable
exaggeration that follows. so that IT seems
surprising from the tone of much of the
current publication about this city that
people can be induced to come here for
any length of time, even for visit
In Spite of Exaggeration.
But the fact is the increase of the popu-
lation is yearly growing. and has assumed
large proportions. and that a good part Of
these accessions are of those who have the
power to select the place of their residence
and who have therefore the entire country
to choose from. ...
1t is quite evident that such people come
and see for themselves and do not rely
on what is said about the city. At the
same time criticism of a helpful kind
contributes toward this very result. that
Is, of making the city more attractive as a
place Of residence, for after ALL that has
become the chief source of the city's pros
perity. If this city succeeds in solving the
problem of homes for the poor which do
not constitute a menace to public health,
and at the same time are self-Susta tanning as
a business proposition, then a service will
be performed that will not only be of value
to the city itself, but TO the entire country.
How It Impressed Him.
From Harper's Weekly.