The Washington herald., 1909-08-05
PRIDE IN THE CAPITAL.
improvements Here Appeal Strongly
TO the Country at Large.

improvements Here Appeal Strongly
to the Country at Large.
From the Boston Globe.
Citizens all over the United States will
be pleased 20 learn that the efforts 10
beautify the parks and boulevards OF
washington are not being relaxed. but.
on the contrary. are resulting in fine ad-
ditlons to the attractions OF the capital
city. visitors 70 washington increase in
number annually, and It is emlnently
proper that everything possible should be
done to improve the city In every con-
ceivable manner.
Washington, in its early struggle for
existence. was so unattractive a spot that
foreigners must have been at a loss TO
discover the principle which had gov
arned the selection. IL combined al the
ugllness with all the discomfort Of an IN
prosperous frontier settlement on an ill
chosen site. What must European dlplO-
mats, says one historian, have thought Of
a capital city where snakes two feet long
invaded gentlemen's drawing rooms. and
q carriage bringing home the guests from
a ball could be upset by the impenetrable
depth Of quggmire az the very door OF a
foreign minister's residence. A descrip-
ton OF the city, given by Mr.. Mills, a
Representative from Massachusetts, in
ISIS, is pathetic IN IT'S unutterable horror.
1T IS impossible" he writes. for one
% describe 70 you my feelings on enter
ing this miserable desert. this scene Of
desolation and horror. Ny anticipations
were almost infinitely short OF the reality,
and l can truly say that the first appear
ance OF this seat OF the national govern
ment has produced IN me nothing but alb
solute loathing and disgust"
II the place wore such a dreadful as
pect 70 the simple denizen Of a New
England country town. what must II have
seemed 70 those who were familiar with
London and Paris?
When GOuverneur Morris joined the
Senate IN 1900. he wrote 10 a friend con-
corning the city that it needed nothing
but houses, cellars, kitchens, well-in-
formed men. amiable women. and other
little trihes OF the kind 70 make the
city perfect" and that Il was the very
best city IN the world for a future resi-
dence. but that as he was not one OF
those good people whom We call poster
fly" he would meanwhile like 20 live
somewhere else.
What change has been wrought IN
Washington. IL Is now one Of the best
cities IN the world IN which 20 reside.
AS 10 the Improvements now projected,
the estimates call for a total appropria-
ton Of S399,5l0 but OF this amount SS3 -
600 represents an Unexpended balance for
the construction Of a memorial 70 Gen.
Grant, which has already been authorized
by Congress. This largest single item is
followed by q request for $4,000 for the
Potomac Park roadways. which will be
utilized In completing the work begun
by Gen. Bingham and carried on by Col
Bromweu. that has already transformed
a waste morass into pleasure ground
and speedway that is destined 70 take
first place among the city's Out-of-dooT
attractions. improvements at Henry
Park call for 5000, which will be ex-
pended in grading and beautfying a sec
ton formerly occupied by the station,
trainshed, and tracks OF the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad. Smaller amounts CON
sumo the remainder Of the estimates
which provide for improving the reads
around the Executive Mansion. oil for
macadam roads, tae care Of the smaller
reservations. and the establishment and
maintenance Of children's play grounds.
The improvements contemplated IN
these estimates should appeal just as
strongly 10 the country az large as u
the permanent resident or Washington
and the District. Every American that
visits Washington feels q proper pride
/ in the Capital Of the nation and immedi-
ately becomes an enthusiast as he views
the progress already made in beauti- -inE
the city. and the possibilities for the full
hlmenJ Of IEnfants dreams when the
streets were FIRST laid on
The Improvements are accessory IN
order 20 keep pace with the cltys ex-
/ pans!on. as well as beiNg in furtEeranct
/ Of the momentum already given through
| past provisions Tor park and roadway i'm.
( prOvements- The larger items contem
I plate a public work Of a laSt'1- charac
I der. and tie amounts asked 80 expendi
/ tuTe IN care and prescrvaCO- re not tol
much