Evening star., 1913-04-13

when the next meeting of the executive
board will be. but this body probably will
be convened early during the week. Mr..
Richardson, while expressing disappoint-
has not been subscribed, stated last night
that he was satisfied with the plans that
have been adopted for waging the cru
sade. 1t is the opinion of the committee
head that Washingtonians will establish
an enviable record for cooperative en-
deavor bringing about results through
their labors this week that viii encourage
other municipalities to undertake similar
crusades.
Suggests Permanent Plan.
Suggestions looking toward the adop-
tion of a plan to keep Washington per-
manently clean are contained in a letter
which the finance committee has received
from a contributor to the cleanup fund.
Stricter enforcement OF the police regu-
Iations. particularly the one designed to
prevent the throwing of litter on the
streets. would lead to a decided improve
ment in the municipalities sanitary con-
dition, the writer suggests. The letter
is as follows
in the interest Of cleaner Wash
ington. / beg that you will take time to
read this letter II voices not only my
own feelings but that OF all persons to
whom l have spoken on the subject.
1T may also help to explain the appar-
ent apathy with which The Stars appeal
for funds has been received People gen.
orally myself among the number) are
not willing to expend money on SO trans
silent an Improvement az this spasmodic
cleaning. while no doubt the same per-
scheme which could be devised for per-
manent betterment Of existing condi-
tions.
Results Soon Dissipated.
at is, Of course, better that tons Of filth
should be removed from a city annually
than that this should not be done at all,
but surface results are so soon over that
discouragement quickly takes possession
of the average mortal. i.
Our reputation for slovenliness is not
local only. Eight years since 4 met in
Atlantic City a refined and cultured Eng
.lishwoman. Two of her sons at that
time occupied an apartment in this city.
Her visits to them were frequent. and
her criticism of the neglected and Uttered
condition of the adjacent streets was
caustic. Six years ago j became resi-
dent of this vicinity. I felt that what she
said was well merited.
''Since then have written and caused
to be written appeals for better con-
ditions to the Commissioners. the chief
Of police, the superintendent of street
cleaning. Mr.. Richard 4 Watrous; Mr.
Glenn Brown, The Evening Star and
various friends that thought might in
fuence some Improvement l received q
number of courteous, replies. and in other
cases L suppose the letters may have
been dropped; unread into the waste bas-
kets of the recipients.
PERSONALLY, do not feel very hopeful
unless more active cooperation on the
part of the police can he obtained. In
every community there are many persons
who take no pride in their homes: still
less in the city at large. These cases are
only to be reached by law. If an already
could be enforced, which is now a dead
letter, much of the necessary change
would be the outcome.
Has Noticed No Arrests.
Il think have never seen the notice
of the arrest of any person for throwing
litter upon our streets. The police must
have opportunities to make such arrests
If they were ordered.
you, of course know all of this quite
as we'll and probably far better than /
do. If YOU can, in any way, evolve
some plan, or cause it TO be evolved,
which would make of Washington per-
rnanently clean place. 1 think it prob
able that many of those who now mani
fest but little or no interest in these an
nual crusades would become stanch sup
porters Of such a movement.
LAS a nation We should take pride in
our capital. 1t will never be a City
Beautifur so long as it is a City Sloven-
ly.' I.iinclose 81, which would be at
least So, if not more. for permanent
results