The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-01
WASHINGTON THE
AMERICAN MECCA
Great Army Of sightseers
Visit the Nations Cap.
ital Every Year.
CAPITAL H HUB
OF THIS COUNTRY
Beautiful Government Buildings,
Broad and Imposing Avenues
and Extensive Parks and
Gardens Make the City
the Most Attractive
in United States.

BY WALTER EDWARD HArnis.


WASHINGTON, d. c.. November a0.-
More p.ople urc said to have visited.
Washington In the past six months,
by a good IN thousands. than In
any similar period of the national capt..
tai. OF COURSE, the Jamestown Exposi-
tioh attracted visitors, as practically
all tickets to the exposition were good
by way OF Washington. But the num-
Der OF Americans who come to Wash
ington every years just in the simple
capacity of sightseers Is constantly
increasing, and 1t is probable that IL a
correct record had been kept. showing
the tsurists who had journeyed thither
annually since the founding of the
city, 1t would shoE that during every
wear of the past century the lumber
OF sightseers nsJNashington has been
greater than In the year before, pos
stbly excepting the year of the Wa of
1912. when men, able to leave home.
went to the front. Besides, Washing
ton was not a good placegto visit
along about that time. for 1t was In
constant danger Of attack, mi Admiral
Cockburn actually captured and burnt
a portion of 1T in 1914 while President.
Madison and his official family were
wandering around In the woods Of
Virginia.
The Mecca of Amcricnn..
It Is little wonder that Washington
is the Mecca of the American people.
For many years now Congress has been
pouring ont money to make 1t the most
beautiful, city In the world. Utility is
less conspicuous In Washington than
try. OF course. the government build
ings. which are main features of the
Icity's beauty. are primarily designed
for use. but in the. execution of this
plan. both in architecture ana In loca-
ton. far greater attention has been
given to considerations OF an esthetie
character than has been tile case In
any other city OF the country, Uncle
sam can afford to gratify#sl1is taste
must entertain considerations of divi-
dends.
a striking illnstrationaof this policy
of the government to make Washing
ton beautiful, while making it's city
adapted to#the needs of the seat OF the
general government. Is found in the
manner in whiah the government suns
dertook to make the newsunton station,
Just opened, q building OF rare archt-
time tits believed to be- bettersndapted
to its purpose8than4an any InNthe World.
The CongresssN voted outright an ap
preparation of So, 900. 000Asto aid In build
ing the great structure. and the rail-
road companies, which supplied the
rest Of the cost of erection, say thif
sum was almost entirely expended in
making theTstation beautiful; that this
railroads themselves gave the money
which was necessary to erect tho build
Ing without so much of thai adorn:
ment whiecrTscuuses 1t to rank With the
most Impressive i structures liz SWasll'
ingtOn,
New Union station,
IT is difficult to Imagine a8visitor II
Washington for the irst time. Whether
on business or pleasure. h~urrSinp
sthroughlthe station without pausing til
admire It's beauty, and to wonder nj
the costlinessS of Its finish.
This Is thesseasonaof the year wher
Thousands OF. buyers are. coming to thu
e city forstheir holiday purchases. and 4
is decidedly the best time tossee Wash
#ington@4While the weather iaSnot 80
attractive as in%thc spring br earl,
fall, IT is a. season When the most dis;
s!nguished9 memo the nation are gath
.ring here to take part lin the tlclibera
sions of Congress, which Mill 3Conyen,
81. Monday. Great men become com
monplace to Neutrality-suspicious. WHO sc,
hem every day, but II, is always In
;Gresting to- an intalligent citizen 4,
;eas a man whose name tts3 conrents'
Nth some policy sonleHpiece Of legis