Bisbee daily review., 1910-05-07
WASHINGTON LETTER
By CARL scHoriHLD. Special corre-
sl.n-li .nr

BY CARL scHoFiHLD. Special corre-
spondent
The plan advocated By Senator
Scott. the chairman Of the senate com
mittce On public buildings and
grounds. Of a bond issue by the gov
eminent to provide The necessary
buildings la this city for the accommo-
dation Of the executive departments is
move in a much needed direction.
No one questions that the govern
ment's housing accommodations were
long since outgrown. In fact. 1t 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 Tenant.
There has never been a 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 a tenant
than has been the case. In some
phases Uncle sam has not proved a.
ways to be a profitable tenant. For
example. leases can run only for
year when made with the government.
for the reason that appropriations are
only for thar period.
Then. In addition TO its 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 a
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
nent 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 &C 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
10y the government.
Site For Departments Bought.
The senate has passed a bill appro-
priating S1200O.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 viii be placed according
TO the Burnham plan for making the
city the most beautiful in the world.
Not a voice in the senate was raised
against the appropriation. but it is said
there viii lie some opposition. in the
house The bin should pass.
Spring at the Capital.
Residents Of this city are specially
favored in having a chance TO see 50
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 10 the
character either Of the houses that
border the streets or the condition Of
those who live in the houses
The luxurlant 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 10 see. It 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 q special point to
come 10 the city in the springtime so
that they may enjoy the trees.
Groups Of Gresnery-
The magnihcence 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 a few other cities 10
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 Hamp-
shire avenue. especially between Wash
ington circle and Dupont circle. where
a row OF magnificent elms line each
side OF that broad thoroGghfare- The
trees have now become so large that
their branches meet in an arch over
! the middle Of the street North Of Du-
pont circle the same variety OF tree is
to be found the nobIest of all the