Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-20

the knowledge Of the origin of the city
and the restrictions, and therefore voiun-
tarily give up the privilege OF living In
municipality governed by popular vote
Washington Is so unique In its origin
and In its use FOR housing and localtzing
the sovereignty of the nation that the
people who live here must regard us pc
culiar character and must be content to
subject themselves to the control OF
body selected by all the people of the
nation. I agree that there are certain In
conveniences growing out of the gov
eminent of a city by a national legisla-
ture like Congress. and it would perhaps
be possible to lessen these by the dele
CATION by Congress to the District COM
missioner of greater legislative power
for the enactment of local laws than they
now possess, especially those of a police
character.
Every loyal American has a personal
pride in the beauty of Washington and
in its development and growth There is
no one with proper appreciation OF our
Capital City who would favor a niggardiy
policy I'm respect to expenditures from
the national Treasury to add to the at
Effectiveness of this city, which belongs TO
every citizen of the entire country. ana
which no citizen visits without sense
Of pride of ownership. We have had re-
stored by a commission Of fine arts. at
the instance of committee of the Sen
ate. the original plan of the French en-
gfneer L'Enfant for the city of Washing-
ton, and we know with great certainty
the course which the improvement OF
Washington should take. Why should
there he delay in making this improve
ment in so far as it involves the extern
sion Of the parking system and the con-
struction of greatly needed PUBIC puiio-
ings?
Public Buildings Urged.
appropriate buildings for the State
Department. the Department of Justice
and the Department of Commerce and
Jnh have
been approved. and nothing is wanting
but the appropriations for the begin
ming and completion of the structures.
4 hall of archives is also badly needed.
but nothing has been done toward Its
construction, although the land for 1t has
long been bought and paid for Plans
have been made for the union OF Poto-
mac Park with the valley Of Rock creek
and Rock Creek Park and the necessity
for the connection between the Soldiers
Home and Rock Creek Parks calls 1or
comment.
in carrying out these plans? We have
the money in the Treasury, the plans are
national In their scope. and the improve
project The plan will find hearty ap-
prevail throughout the country. am
quite sure. from the information which
have, that, at comparatively small ex-
penSe, from tndt part Oh the DiStilCt VI
Columbia which was retroceded to Vir-
ginia the portion including the Arlington
estate Fort Myer and the palisades of
the Potomac can be acquired by purchase
and the jurisdiction of the state of Vir-
ginia over this land coded to the nation.
This ought to be done.
Advocates Memorial Bridge.
THE construction of the Lincoln me-
mortal and of memorial bridge from
the base of the Lincoln monument to
Arlington would be an appropriate and
symbolic expression of the union of the
north and south at the capital of the
nation. 1 urge upon Congress the APP
pointment of commission to undertake
these national improvements and to sub |
nit a plan for their execution; and when |
the plan has been submitted and APP
proved and the work carried out WASH |
ington will really become what it ought |
to be-the most beautiful city in the
world