The Washington times., 1912-07-04
BARRETT PLEADS
FOR MORE PLAzAS
IN THE CAPITAL
Director of Pan-American
Union Declares for I'M
provements Here.

Washington must have more open
plazas and squares In its outlying sec
tions and must acquire them before 1t
is too late. Pennsylvania avenue must
be improved and made the most beau
tiful street in the world.
These were two of the statements
made by John Barrett, director of the
Pan-American Union, in the course of
his address at the Independence Day ex-
ercises in the District Pan-American
Union building today. Mr.. Barrett pre-
faced this portion of his address by
saying that real patriotism does not
consist in making the eagle scream, but
in taking counsel for the public good.
Beginning by praising the admins
tration by the District Commissioners,
Mr.. Barrett said:
Among the features which should be
developed to make this an ideal city 1
would name the following:
Needed at Once.
Washington should make provision,
before 1t Is too late, for more open
plazas and squares in its outlying sec
tions, or else as it grows to be a city
of 100000 its attractive features will be
limited to a restricted inner district. AS
a person goes about now in an automo-
bile in a street car or afoot, he finds
but few places or open squares reserved
in the rapid building up OF the outlying
districts. While the necessity for having
these may not appear pressing at the
moment, they will be missed in the next
generation.
pennsylvania avenue should be made
without delay the most beautiful street
in Ia A hp II q
anything but a credit to this Capital.
There is nothing today that Is de-
stroying more the beauty of Washing
ton than the erection of skyscrapers,
even though limited in height, whicn
do not in any degree harmonize with
the idea of beautiful street or with
other buildings.
"A great need of Washington is a
large and useful convention hall, which
could also be used for all opera ana
musical purposes. This should be made
the convention city Of the United States,
and II would soon have that name II We
had the necessary facilities. If there
ever was an opportunity for harmony
of action between Congress and the
generosity of the citizens of the Ma
tional Capital in subscriptions, here Is a
chance to appropriate and raise money
which will pay back to the Government
and the investors a thousandfold.
Reference to a convention hall suit
ed for opera purposes prompts me ~ t'
tional Capital should follow the exam
pie of European and South American
capitals in providing the best of music
at a low cost to the masses of the peo
pie. 1t is a magnificent thing to SCI
how the poor people of Buenos Ayres
Argentina and Warsaw, and other cap
itals enjoy good music provided by tn
municipalities and the beneficial effec
morality
and their observance of law. Music 4
one of the most Civilizing influences il
the world, and If Washington can be
come a great musical center 1t Will TAX
a long step toward the ideal capital.
For Beautiful City.
Two dangers in the making of bet
ter Washington confront us: One i
that this shall be developed into a man
ufacturing city. This would be KILN
the goose that lays the golden egg
Everywhere that l go over the Unite
States and talk with thoughtful me
and women in all ranks of life, l fin
unanimous protest against the agita
tion every now and then in Washingto
to make 1t a manufacturing center.
Another danger, in contrast to this
is that Washington shall become to
much of q rich mans abode or societ
capital While the so-called rich Q
society people nave lust as much rlgf
here as others, and should be welcomed
there should be a healthy moral sent
ment among the so-called rich or socie
ty people against the development q
snobbishneSs toward those with whor
they are brought into daily contact G
toward men and women who com
from remote sections of the countr
and less beautiful and refined cities
The drawing of close lines in Washing
ton between the so-called society an
non society people, or between the leis
urely or unoccupied rich and official
and people in general who are busy, wi
be most unfortunate 70 rhe future We
fare of the Capital"