The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-05-27


ton than politics the interest in it
must be "artesian Deep" for politics
even moro than legislation holds the
attention of men who come here in
official capacity, and in many cases
it also holds the attention of their
wives
Society is interesting, so it is saiS.
to people everywhere, and so Wash
ington is no exception to the general
rule, but this much must be said about
the capital of the nation-here the
social season is longer than 1t is in
any other city of the land, The, min
ute that the president OF the United
States returns from his summer out
ing Washington society wakes up to
remain awake until the president
leaves for the mountains or seashore,
or wherever it is that he elects to
spend hin vacation. Virtually there has
been no short session Of congress
since the year of the Jamestown ex-
position, for while actually there have
been several short sessions they have
been followed Immediately by extra
sessions to discuss the tariff, reel
procity and whatnot, and as a conse-
quence congress virtually has been in
session for some years from early in
December until late in the summer.
Wilson Lawn Parties.
Just now the president and Mrs.
Wilson are giving a series of after
noon parties in the White House
grounds, to which literally "the elect
OF every nation" are invited. These
afternoon affairs in the great grounds
outlying the White house to the south
are pleasant, picturesque and in some
ways unique. All the members of the
diplomatic service Of the foreign coun-
tries with their wives, daughters and
sisters are invited With them come
the army and the navy officers with
the women of their households, and
with them come the cabinet officers.
the senators, the representatives and
the higher officials of all the depart
ments with their wives, daughters and
sisters.
Lawn parties are the fashion in
Washington in the spring and early
summer. Why should they not be?
When one goes on top of the Wash
ington monument he looks down on a
forested city, for the capital is so fill
ed with trees of spreading and luxuri-
GUS foliage that the city streets, and
in many instances the buildings, are
covered with a green mantle. Every
known tree which will grow in this
To- hoc nj fnd In h
ington, and the place is unique in its
tree assemblage." Many of the
houses of the city have spacious
grounds which offer tempting settings
for afternoon receptions.
Elaborate Park Plans.
The west end of Potomac park has
been selected as the most fitting place
for the proposed Memorial to Abra-
ham Lincoln. Former Senator Shell
by M Cullom of Illinois, who has been
in public life and for the most part
in public office since the day before
Lincoln was elected president, is
chairman of the commission which
has the work of erecting the memorial
in charge. Senator Cullom will stay
in Washington, except for short vaca-
tons, until ne sees completed the
great structure to be erected in honor
of man whom he knew intimately
officially and permanently.
Potomac park, sometimes called Po-
tomac drive, is in part new creation.
The drive proper takes its course
along the north bank of the river The
view over the Potomac to the Virginia
hills is unbroken and some enthusiast
tic ones have pronounced it matchless.
1t certainly is appealing.
The river is broad, and from its
southwestern shore rise the heights
of Arlington, and beyond them the
heights of the greater Virginia hills,
still well wooded in spite Of the lum-
Germans money temptation to the
owners to sacrifice their naples and
their century-old oaks. The trees of
Arlington are under government pro-
lection, while sentiment alone guards
the forest treasures of the farther
hills.
From the capitol westward, south of
Pennsylvania avenue, runs the Mall.
1t is probable that in time the whole
reservation will be known as Potomac
Park. The Washington monument,
worthy in the magnificence of its
height and In its simplicity, rises
from an emiaence about two-thirds of
the way frora the capitol to the west
end of the pleasure ground, where the
Lincoln Memorial probably is to stand
Cut Out the Unsightly.
The experts of the forest service
have safegusrded the trees, some of
which have lived for hundred years
or more within the grounds. Going
from the capitol westward, the Poto.
mac is on the left, and the unsightly
buildings on The south side of the ave
nue. are on the right Within a few
years all Of these buildings will have
/ disappeared, and where feed stores,
harness shops and lumber yards are
today there will be trees and flowers
and buildingn of marble or granite
built after the manner of heart" OF
the best architects in the United
| States.
Already several new government
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