Evening star., 1911-05-24
Washington and Summer.

A large number of cities and places
which probably will never become cities
are sending out invitations to the Presl-
dent to visit them this summer 1t is
natural that citizens should want Tor
their home town the creditable adveruS-
ing that comes from visit by the Presi-
dent. The summer-capital business is
booming, and many cities are said to be
hustling for the honor of entertaining
the President.
When a summer wave sweeps over or
settles down upon the country ana
toucbes Washington as we'll as. every
other city with it's blistering breath, the
weather in the capital attracts attention.
Washington is such a news center and
so much in the spotlight that even a
change in temperature is interesting to
a large number of Americans.
It Is only in recent times that Presi-
dents have found il necessary to go away
from Washington in summer. This is
probably because Presidents are more
restless than they used to be and not be-
cause the Washington climate Is chang
ing.
Climate in the 3Sth degree Of latitude
the world around produces some not
weather in summer and cold weather In
winter. , Washington with its 535 miles
of avenues and streets planted with ma
pies and elms. oaks, sycamores and I'M
denS its expanse of parks, green coun-
try surrounding IL. and with breadth OF
river over which breezes nearly always
play is an agreeable city in winter or
summer. The Washingtonian may pass
unscathed through summer. In WASH
tngton as elsewhere in the temperate zone
men should eat and wear seasonable
things and not drink too freely OF ice
water or even more deleterious bever-
ages.
Before the extra session Of Congress
convened many political prophets were
saying that adjournment would come
early because of summer in Washington
On this subject The Star said editorial
Iy March 20:
1.-The inference in some Of these writings
of the desire of certain persons to get
away from Washington in summer Is
that the Washington summer climate Is
bad About 3eo,GO people live In wash
ington all the year round, and are not
thinking of moving to any other city
The number of persons choosing WASH
ington as a place of permanent residence
Is increasing every year. Washington Is
few minutes north of the 3Sth degree
of north latitude. virtually the same lati-
tude as Cincinnati. Indianapolis. St
Louis. Kansas City. Topeka, Denver and
san Francisco. It's latitude is practically
that of West Virginia, southern Ohio, In
diana and Illinois, of Missouri, Kansas,
Colorado, Utah. Nevada and northern
central California Climate is not wholly
dependent upon latitude, being modified
BY altitude, mountains and ocean cur
rents Washington is within thirty miles
Of Chesapeake bay. 110 miles of the At
lantic ocean. sixty miles Of the Blue
Ridge mountains and ninety from the
backbone of the Alleghenies- 1t Is close
to the Piedmont region and In country
of big hills, thick woods, broad rivers
and rocky glens and runs. The health
Of the city is good, and there is nothing
in the climate which should cause people
Of the temperate zone to run away from
the city in summer.
People who live wholesomely and know
their Washington manage to live com
fortably here all the year. People will
20 away on vacation because vacation is
universal habit. People go away from
every city to have a vacation-a rest or q
trip-somewhere else.