The Washington herald., 1910-12-07

That part OF the Presidents message
relating to the District of Columbia, in
full. is as follows:
The government OF the District OF Co
lumbia is a good government The police
force. while perhaps it might be given,
or acquire. more military discipline in
bearing and appearance. is, nevertheless
an efficient body OF men. free from graft,
and discharges its important duties in
this Capital Of the nation effectively. The
parks and the streets OF the city and
the District are generally kept clean and
in excellent condition.
The Commissioners OF the District have
its affairs well in hand. and, while not ex-
travagant. are constantly looking 10 those
municipal improvements that are expen-
sive. but that must be made in a modern
growing city like washington. While all
this is true. nevertheless the fact that
Washington is governed by Congress, and
that the citizens are not responsible and
have no direct control through popular
election in District matters properly sub
jectS the government 10 inquiry and criti-
cism by its citizens, manifested througi.
the public press and otherwise; such eriti-
cism should command the careful atten-
ton OF Congress.
Washington is the capital OF the ma
ton and its maintenance as a great and
beautiful city under national control
every lover OF his country has much at
heart; and It should present in every way
a model In respect of economy of expendi-
ture OF sanitation. OF tenement reform,
OF thorough public instruction, OF the
proper regulation OF public utilities. Of
sensible and extended charities, of the
proper care OF criminals and OF youth
needing reform. of healthful Fairgrounds
and opportunity for popular recreation.
and OF a beautiful system of parks. l
am glad 20 think that progress is being
made in all these directions but / ven
ture to point out certain specific improve
ments toward these ends which Congress
in its wisdom might adopt Speaking
generally, I think there ought 10 be more
concentration OF authority IN respect 10
the accomplishment of some OF these pur-
poses with more economy Of expenditure.
Public Parks.
Attention is invited 10 the peculiar sit
uation existing in regard 10 the parks
OF Washington. The park system proper.
comprising some 343 different areas, is
under the Office Of Public Buildings and
Grounds. which. however. has nothing 10
do with the control Of Rock Creek Park,
the Geological Park. the grounds of the
Department of Agriculture. the Botanic
Garden, the grounds of the Capitol, and
other public grounds which are regularly
open to the public and ought 10 be part
Of the park system Exclusive OF the
grounds of the Soldiers Home and of
Washington Barracks, the public grounds
used as parks in the District Of Column
bia comprise over 300 acres, under ten
different controlling officials or bodies.
This division OF jurisdiction is most IN
fortunate.
Large sums OF money are spent yearly
in beautifying and keeping in good con-
dition these parks and the grounds con-
nected with government buildings and
institutions. The work done on all Of
them is OF the same general character
work from which the Office OF Public
Buildings and Grounds has been pro-
vided by Congress with a special organ
ization and equipment, which are lacking
for the grounds not under that Office
There can be no doubt that if all work
Of care and Improvement upon the
grounds belonging 10 the grounds be-
longing to the United States in the Dis