The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-03-31
Washington LETTER
By CARL scHoFIELD. Special corre-
spondent.


grounds, of a b nd issue by the gov
eminent to pI vide the necessary
buildings in this city for the accommo-
dation of the executive departments Is
a move in a much needed direction.
No one questions that the govern
ment's housing accommodations were
long since outgrown. In fact, it may
be said with entire accuracy that at no
period In the history of the govern
ment has the supply of buildings been
equal to the demand.
Uncle Sam as a Tenant.
There has never been time when
there were enough buildings in the
city of Washington to provide room
for all the civil employees. Uncle Sam
has always been factor in the rental
market in this city, and to the casual
observer it may seem surprising that
property owners have not made more
permanent provision for such tenant
than has been the case. IN some
phases Uncle Sam has not proved al
ways to be a profitable tenant. For
example, leases can run only for a
year when made with the government,
for the reason that appropriations are
only for that period.
Then, in addition to it's uncertain
tenure, property owners have some
times found the governments use Of
buildings rather hard on those struc-
lures, so that many and expensive re-
pairs are needed to restore them to
good condition.
Governments False Economy.
At the present time two of the exec
utive departments of the government
are occupying rented buildings in this
city, while such an important branch
of governmental activities as the In
terstate commerce commission has al
ways been a tenant. The same state
ment is true of the geological survey
and of the forestry service and the
reclamation service, while it has only
been in recent years that the census
Office has been taken out of the rental
market.
From time to time some member Of
congress has got together the figures
showing the total rentals paid in this
city by Uncle Sam, and always the
summary has been an impressive one.
It has generally been pointed out on
such occasions how many structures
could be erected by the expenditure
ON the part of the government OF the
sum of money capitalized on the basis
of the aggregate of the rents paid and
Of course at the rate of interest paid
by the government
Site For Departments Bought.
The senate has passed a bill appro-
priating $12,O0O,0O0 for the erection OF
new department buildings in Washing
ton, structures which are sadly need
ed. The ground has been secured, and
the buildings will be placed according
to the Burnham plan for making the
city the most beautiful in the world.
Not voice in the senate was raised
against the appropriation, but 1t is said
there will be some opposition in the
h0use The bill should pass.
Spring at the Capital.
Residents of this city are specially
favored in having chance TO see so
much of the operations of nature with
out going away from their homes or,
indeed, from their accustomed round of
duty. IN walking from the home to the
Office in any part Of the city one can
see the trees, for they line the streets
in all sections, without regard to the
character either of the houses that
border the streets or the condition Of
those who live In the houses.
The luxuriant foliage, which is the
greatest charm of the capital, is not
for one particular section of the city,
but Is universal, so that the spring pa
rade of the trees as they garb them
selves for the season is open to all
who have the eyes to see. 1t is a spec
tacle, whether in the course of max
ing or in its completion, that is well
worth seeing. and there are many peo-
pie living in different parts of the
country who make special point to
come to the city in the springtime SO
that they may enjoy the trees.
Groups OF Greenery.
The magnificenee of these masses
and groups of greenery is only equaled
by the variety in form and outline, but,
after all, what impresses the mind Of
the average visitor is the magnificent
extent of it ALL Not simply one street
lined with trees, their branches form
ing an arch Of living green over the
roadway, or perhaps two streets, as
may be found IN few other cities In
this country, but all the streets are
thus distinguished and beautified.
Arches of Verdure.
There are some streets where owing
to the variety and the vigorous growth
the effect is perhaps more striking
than in the case of others. Such an
instance may be found in New Harnp-
shire avenue. especially between Wash
ington circle and Dupont circle, where
a row of magnificent elms line each
side of that broad thoroughfare. The
trees have now become so large that
their branches meet in an arch over
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