The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-10
Washington in Summer.


Going away for the summer has become
O hxed habit with many Washlngtonians.
II Is more than fad. Il Is regular
part OF the routine OF Capital life
IIlustrious examples are now set by
those highest in authority. President and
Cabinet HE themselves away 10 seashore
or mountain as soon as possible after the
heated term begins. Official and diplo-
matte life follows suit. SO fixed is the
habit that nonsensical commiseration is
INDUCED in when those intrusted with re-
sponsibility and power are detained by
pressing public duties and their summer
holidays curtaiIed.
Ihls going-away programme, this popu-
lar fad OF the summer season, which has.
as we say. developed into a fixed and
perhaps Interchangeable habit OF Washing
ton life. is the product Of the last quarter
OF a century. The Capital did not be-
come too hot for statesmen Of other
days, Governmental business was trans
acted here the year around.
DO you imagine that President TAFT
will be one whit happier or more health
full. or more comfortable. at Beverly than
was President Grant when he sought
retreat at tho beautiful Soldiers Home.
IN cottage especially adapted 70 his
needs or than was President Cleveland
when he spent the summers at woodley
without the least interruption OF the
White House routine? As a matter o.
fact, apart from being relieved fror-. me
daily pressure. and enabled 10 be with
his family. DO you really think that Presl-
dent Taft is going TO find any more actual
pleasure on the Northern coast than he
found earlier In the summer playing golf
at Chevy Chase and automobuing IN
charming Rock Creek Park? We do not
believe it.
Our best physicians to-day unite in the
delightful doctrine that the good old sum-
mer time brings to US the urgent need Of
"a change" II is true that they sell
dom agree as to the respective bracinc-
up qualities Of seashore end mountain.
and that, while one solemniy informs US
that Atlantic City offers the tonic that
Will do our health the most good. an
other is equally positive that the Deer
Park climate is decidedly the thing we
need. Still, since these worthy guardians
OF our health prescribe In like manner for
themselves. and also go away leaving the
stay-at-homes In the care Of subordi-
mates, we cannot for a moment doubt the
sincerity OF their advocacy Of a change.
But contrasting to-day with the past.
do you imagine that our Cabinet officers
and diplomatic corps and social set are
one whit happier or more comfortable
than were the Cabinet officers and dlplo-
matte corps and resident society OF
quarter OF a century ago. who spent the
summers regularly in Washington and
whiled away their evenings on doorsteps
and in other delightfully."- informal modes
OF enjoyment? Again we say we DO not
believe f.; and the records OF health and
longevity and general usefulness OF those
good days long gone will bear US out in
this opinion. we verify believe.
All of which brings US 70 the point OF
these few remarks: Washington is libel
ed. and lbeled grossly. on the score Of
its weather. As a place OF summer abode.
It Is Infinitely more pleasant and agree
able than nine-tenths Of the shut-in. dirt
begrimed cities OF the land. where the
golng-away fad is not nearly so fixed
habit as it is here, but from whose resi-
dents comes the bulk Of that nonsensical
commlseration for Washington and those
In authority whom Washington so de-
hghtfully shelters
When it is broiling hot here. as II IS
now, IT is broiling hot elsewhere. Bev-
erly appears TO be quite as hot as Wash
ngton.
To tell the cold, blunt truth. this glori-
BUS national city here ON the Potomac.
with its wonderfully picturesque and in
viting environment. would be the summer
resort Of all summer resorts-ir only 1t
we're the fad. And speaking for the tens
Of thousands Of happy stay-at-homes. we
lay unhestatingly that there is not an
atom Of envy in their hearts OF the other
thousands that elect 70 go away.