The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-04-19

suffers from Nheap Architecture
The next step that should be taken in
the development of Greater Washington
is to provide what might be called in lieu
OF a better term a balanced population.
Expression was given to this idea by
John L. Weaver at the last meeting OF
the Washington Chamber of Commerce,
when he urged II 10 Ill the Office of active
secretary.
Mr.. Weaver spoke at length in eXplana-
ton of his motion and in defense of tax
ing a bold step forward in an effort to
further not only Washington's CONNER
cial development, but the building of a
beautiful city He stated that the pOpu-
latlon of Washington consisted of three
isolated groups, separate and distinct
with no relation OF mutually between
them. There is separating them great
gaps that might be filed 10 advantage
TO the existing population and to the
city itself
Three Glasses Of People.
Mr. Weaver classed these three groups
as follows:
First-The government employees, num-
bering about $1,000 wage earners, with
those depending upon them, making an
aggregate of about 150,000 souls. To this
class ne added the business element. as
its status toward Washington is prac-
tically the same as that Of the govern
ment employee.
second-The negro element, numbering
about 100000.
Third-The wealthy class, small in num-
Der.
In discussing these classes It was Mr.
Viewers opinion that tie government
employe. with his dependable salary, is
the element in Washington's composition
that keeps il alive and progressive. The
government employees average earnings
of $500 per annum Is subject 10 no
strikes. lockouts or other labor troubles
He Is never laid of because OF hard
times" or other kindred reasons. and he
is always paid in Casino clearinghouse
certificates. certified checks. or other
forms of emergency currency are ever
offered him on pay day.
Negro Element Specified.
Mr. Viewers idea of the negro ele-
ment, forming as it does 0ne-third of
NuA HtHAAaAlf4ii - NiAcAA IL ND4AAeAAt-o sum-
estimable citizens, but as a whole is not
capable of advancing our city to any ap-
preciative extent. They iii many needs
Of cur community, but We are forced to
the conclusion that Washington has little
or nothing TO expect from this class.
He stated that the wealthy people are
so few in number. yet so conspicuous in
the development of greater and more
1,oar-tfFs1 NEaehfucrfgu that sEnfv pacIffop
in our community is unique. They have
done more for a beautiful and artistic
city than any other group Of citizens.
Mr.. Weaver asked the question, after
having clearly defined the three groups.
what can be done to secure those two
other groups of citizens found in every
other growing city, the prosperous bust
ness man and the thrifty workman
Mr.. Weaver asserted that when Wash
ington was compared to other cities OF its
size the number OF business men and
thrifty workmen is woefully small
Business Men Are Needed.
In his opinion, the business man is
necessary to iii in the gap between the
group represented by the government en-
ployes and that which he termed the
wealthy class, and the thrifty workman
Is necessary to I'LL in the gap between
the government employe and the negro
element He then put the question. How
can Washington provide these two
Classes?" He followed the question with
the definite and positive assertion that
they could be secured by Washington
entering upon an energetic and perse-
veTing line OF commercial development,
Mr. Weaver stated that TO bring about
this commercial development Washing
ton had only TO adopt the methods and
means employed by other cities which
have successfully developed themselves
along commercial lines.
Need Not BE Experimental.
Mr.. Weaver asserted that the develop
ment OF commercial Washington need
not be an experiment: that the expert
ment had been tried with great success
in many other communities. He ex-
pressed the belief that the application of
the usual dominant will of the Wash
ington business man to this problem must
result in success: that he believed the
Washingtonian the equal. If not the SUI
periOT of a great many other types of
citizens, and expressed the belief that it
was only necessary to point out TO the
citizen of Washington his duty in the
PREMISES 10 secure action which would
lead to ultimate success. Mr. Weaver
laid down the proposition that no beauti-
ful Washington. worthy of the name,
could be expected from the population of
this city as now constituted. for the fol-
lowing reasons;
The negro need not be considered.
The government employe cannot be eX-
pected to build beautiful Washington,
because the average salary paid him, /. e.
$500, would not justify US in expecting |
him to do so.
The wealthy class, he pointed out is so
small and their interests are so confined /
that. while they are deserving Of the /
greatest credit for what has been DONE I
they cannot be expected to take the same
interest as the man who is making, or /
has made, his fortune in our city.
Business Man Hope of City.
He pointed out that the successful bust
ness man would build in Washington, as
he has done in ether cities. those sub
stantial homes in which Washington is |
so glaringly deficient. and which cannot /
be built by our present population. for /
the reasons pointed out above. He stated |
that all cities commercially developed are |
surrounded by villas occupied by success
full business men. which are their great
est charm He expressed the opinion
shat II mis- TYNE of citizen, the successful /