Evening star., 1914-07-05
MERCER PRAISES
WORK OF L'ENFA ANT
Declares PIanner of City
Should Be Honored in
Memory of Residents.
is SEVERE ON ENEMIES
OF DISTRICTS GROWTH
Former Representative Decries 0p-
position 70 Public Works by
Members of Congress.

David II Mercer. former representa-
tive in Congress from Nebra ska who
served for several years as chairman
of the public buildings and grounds
committee of the House. delivered an
address Yesterday at the home of
Louis T. Shoemaker. before the Asso-
citation of the oldest Inha bitants Of
the District of Columbia. in which he
discussed public improvements in
Washington.
The occasion the forty-seventh
annual celebration of Independence
day by the association. whose members
and a number of other guests had been
invited to meet at Mr. Shoemaker's S
home in Brightwood. About 200 mem
bers- of the organization. their fam
lies and friends participated.
Il cannot see" Mr.. Mercer said in
his address. why man. be he a Con-
gresham or not. who has never seen a
sewer or a water plant in his life.
should come here and oppose dena nd
ed and necessary public improvements
IN Washington. Yet il has nearly al
ways been that kind of man who has
opposed public works here.
Washington Is Leader.
1T has been my fortune to have seen
every capital city of every great ma
tton on earth, and l have seen them
under nearly all conditions. 1t is no
idle brag of mine. and l have no de-
sire to throw bouquets or sweetmeats
out among YOU. but my honest judg-
lnent. based upon my personal experience,
is that Washington as capital city leads
every other city in the world l bar
none.
1T has no competitors in its way, al
though it has competitors in many
ways: 1t is the youngest of them all
and 1t is the handsomest. Its plan
shows genius, skill. wonderful work.
and work that wears along in the years
handsomely, and. as it is appreciated,
becoming handsomer and handsomer.
and Yet ! find upon studying up the
records that Maj. LEnfant. to whom
credit, of course, must be given. for,
outside of Jefferson, who directed. if
he did not personally supervise the
work. he, LEnfant. did all the details
of the planning. received for his val
liable services the beggarIy sum of
S666. One-half the pay Of a second as
sistant laborer.
Should Have Memorial.
What a fee for such a marvellous
service. and l am sure all of YOU well
wishe-s of the capital as l am. will
join with me in the hope that some
day, and that that day should not be
In the distant future. there shall be a
memorial raised in this city which
will possibly pay honor to his memory.
even if his actual services and life
were neglected.
But we must not content ourselves
with what We have, great and glorious
even as it is. but must keep on moving.
planning. beautifying and building so that
the Washington of the future will be
greater and handsomer than that we
now have.
Congress. rightfully. in my opinion, re-
served exclusive jurisdiction in all mat
ters relating to the District. 1t is per-
fectiy proper that this reservation should
Ue made, for Congress was, and had a
right to be. jealous of the future of the
nations capital. and it is also right and
proper that Congress should pay the bill
to keep up the good work.
Proud of Members.
al am sure the members of the Oldest
Inhabitants Association, who have done
so much in this direction will continue
in the good work, and I am proud of
them. as we'll the lovers of the ma
tion's capital"
Following Mr.. Mercers address Henry
Bryan led the assemblage in singing
America later THE Star Spangled
Banner. and at the conclusion of the
meeting. Aud Lang Syne," in which
nearly all took part. Maj George W.
Evans recited a poem on Making the
Flag" which was written for Flag day
celebrations by Secretary of the Interior