Evening star., 1912-07-04
John Barrett Speaks at Pan
American Union Building.
NEEDS OF WASHINGTON
Can Well Afford to Look to Other
Americas for Suggestions, He Says.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Those on Platform Include Repre-
sentatives of Latin American
Countries.

Countries.
In the presence of diplomatic repre-
sentatives of Latin American countries
who occupied seats on the platform. and
before an audience that completely filed
the hall, crowding the aisles. John Bar
rett, director Of the Pan-American Union
in delivering Washington's principal
Fourth of July address at Pan-American
Union building this morning. declared
that the capital of the United States is
confronted by many problems affecting
its future development, and that in the
solving Of them it may well afford to look
for suggestions to the cities of South and
Central America.
Mr.. Barretts address was not of the
type of the usual Fourth of July oration.
He began by describing briefly the work
of the Pan American Union, and the
progress that has been made IN every
field of human endeavor by countries of
Pan America. The latter part of his re-
marks was addressed entirely 10 a discus
sion of the needs of Washington.
He declared that, in tn, National Capt.
architectural abortion, and that there
should be created an architec -ural COM
mission to see that buildings which are
erected shall be of harmonious type.
The speaker asserted that the erection OF
skyscrapers is destroying the beauty OF
Washington. The capital, he said. should
never be permitted to become a manu-
featuring city, as it would be killing the
goose that lays the golden egg
Another danger said Mr.. Barrett. is
that Washington shall become too much
of a rich mans abode or society capital.
The drawing Of close lines in Washington
between the so-called society and nom
society people, or between the leisurely
pie, in general, who are rich, will be most
unfortunate for the future welfare of the
capital"
Beautification Is Suggested.
The laying out of more Fairgrounds and
plazas, the construction of q convention
hall. the beautifying of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and other improvements were sug-
gested by the speaker in connection with
the capitals future growth.
District Commissioner Cuno H. Rudolph
presided over the exercises, which began
promptly at 10 o'clock. For half an hour
previous the United States Marine Band.
stationed in the north corridor on the
second floor and directed by Lieut.. Santel-
mann, had rendered program Of pa
triotic music.
Members of the diplomatic corps, of the
safe and sane committee and invited
guests reached the Hall Of Americas.
where the exercises were conducted, by
means of the south stairways. The public
went up by the north stairs. and had
completely filed the seats by the time
the program began.
Seated on the platform, in addition to
Commissioner Rudolph, former Commis-
sioner Henry B. F. Marfarland, Mr.. Bar
rett, representatives Of various patrf 7.lc
revolutionary societies, members Of the
safe and sane" committee and other in
vited guests. were the diplomatic repre-
sentatives Of Ave Latin American coun, m.
Bolivia, Minister Peynado of the Domin-
lean Republic, Minister Rivero of Cuba.
Ambassador Calero Of Mexico and Min
lister Calvo Of Costa R!ca.
Miss Calderon, daughter Of the Bolivian
minister. and Mrs Rudolph, wife of Com
missioner Rudolph, occupied seats togeth-
er in the row reserved for members of
the diplomatic corps.
Commissioner Rudolph opened the exer-
cises by referring to the fact that since
pendence twenty-one sister republics on
this hemisphere have adopted a similar
policy of government.
Building an Appropriate Place.
1T is. therefore. particularly fitting, .
he said, that We begin this commemora-
ton OF the day in the beautiful home of
the Latin-American republics. with such
Of the representatives Of those republics
as could be present to join US in cele-
brating the event which inspired their
hopes and encouraged their efforts and
those Of their fellow-patriots for national
independence.
Besides an obligation to the governing
board of the Pan-American Union for the
gracious tender of the use of this magnif-
cent structure. We are indebted to the
man who SO ably directs its affairs for
coRsenting to favor us with the principal
address Of the day-the Honorable John
Barrett, who has shown himself prac-
tical progressive, and who, as educator
Journalist and diplomat. and in many
other phases of public and private service
especially In furthering the cordial and
helpful cooperation among the American
republics. has attained and retained the
respect and affection of all mankind.
Following Commissioner Rudolph's ad-
dress, Mr.. Barrett was introduced, and
upon the conclusion of the latters speech
the audience Joined in singing The Star
spangled Banner" which was led by
Declaration Of independence.
The audience applauded when Mr.. Bar
rett, in the course Of his address. refer
red to the fact that Francis ]. Yanes. as
sistant director of the Pan-American
Union, who occupied seat on the plat
form. is direct descendant of Francis
j. Yanes. who, July 3, 1911, in the first
Venezuelan congress, introduced the fol-
lowing resolution:
Declares Venezuela Independent.
Therefore. 1 believe the day has come
when Venezuela should declare its abso-
lutte independence, and l move that we
shall declare it so today, if not tomor-
row, the 4th, as a good omen. because 1,
Is the day when our Anglo-American
brothers celebrate the anniversary OF
their glorious independence"
AS result of the introduction of this
resolution by Mr.. Yanes' ancestor. the
declaration of independence of Venezuela
was declared July 5. 1911.
In beginning his address Mr.. Barrett
made a plea for a spirit of peace, friend
ship and love among the peoples of the
Latin-American countries. He declared
that at the next Pan-American CONNER
cial conference a resolution will be offered
to invite Canada to affiliate with the union
This in no way. he said, would infringe
on Canada's relations with Great Britain
Applying the sentiment of the day to
the duty that devolves upon Washing
tonians to see that the National Capital
Is developed along lines that will insure
the highest progress, Mr.. Barrett said
in part:
City Should Be Beautiful.