The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-08-28

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value was s17s5s7.54s The assessment
In 1872 amounted to $3.50. &c., 3s2 49,. or nearly
twice as much as in 1900. when the nation
celebrated the centennial of the city.
existence.
! In other words. the Capital has grown
as much In the past fifteen years. as
i II had grown I'm an entire century pre-
vious. THE future holds even greater
Things for the Identification of the city
both as part of the settled plan of the
commission and by nongovernmenta
and private institutions says an ex-
pert in writing on the National Capital
HousinE Capitals Poor.
The problem of housing Washington
poor without marring the beauty of the
city was a serious problem, but was
overcome by the organization of housing
companies. These companies erected
rows OF small houses that are consistent
! IN appearance with the finest dwellings
! or public buildings in the city the whole
sale manner in which they were con-
structed alone made them profitable.
An interesting project for which a bill
| Is now before Congress is that of setting
aside In or near the city a large tract
! OF land for the purpose of permitting
>eA>H 1'otO anu TO erect at It's
own expense. a building suitable for the
installation and maintenance of a per-
manent exhibit of the resources of each
state In other words, the project con-
! templates a permanent national exposi-
ton.
The memorial convention hall to be
erected at Sixth and B. streets north
west to the memory of George Wash
ington was launched by the George
Washington Memorial Association. 1t
VIII cost 100000 and will have an en-
doWment Of 100000 1t will be under
the supervision of the regents of the
Smithsonian Institution, and will be used
by conventions and other large gather
ings.
Another project that probably will be
realized within the next few years is
that to erect National Archives Build
ing at cost of about 81 SEQ Co., The pres
ent plan Is to erect 1t so that it can be
expanded as needs require.
Has sI7,OOO,OOO in Apartments.
Washington has just passed through
what real estate men call an era of
apartment house building. 1t is esti-
mated that 400 apartment houses have
been erected here since 1901 at a cost
of about N7.OO0.cOO. The steady influx
OF weolthy people to this city, caused
by the attractive condition of the city.
mas resulted in the erection Of some of
the finest private dwellings In the coun-
try.
The embassies and legations erected by
the nations Of the world for their rem
resentatives to the United States has
been another big factor in the embellish-
ment OF the residential section of Wash
lngton. The French Ambassador is now
fc ,l-t
the top of the Sixteenth street hill, and
Germany. before the outbreak of the
war had started plans for a new en-
oassy here. site had been purchase
and architects sent to this country to
plan the construction. which Is expected
to cost 81 CO., co.,
The Transformation in the business sec
ton has been even more rapid during
the past decade. The Woodward, South
crn, Real Estate Trust. Hibbs. Evans.
Bond, Victor. National METROPOLITAN
Bank. American Security and Trust. the
Equitable Life, and other buildings are
not only great commercial structures,
but architectural monuments of the city. |
Ten years ago Washington was badly |
IN need of hotels worthy of the cap-
Ital OF the nation. Hundreds of tourists |
were arriving daily-and the numbers in
creased with years-but the hostelries
were like those of a small. out-of-the- |
way town. Today there are a score of !
large hotels and many being planned |
for the future.
The Raleigh addition. the Continental, |
he Capitol Park, the Winston, and the |
Powhatan have been the principal hotel |
erections In recent years. Nothing has
escaped the prevailing spirit of the beau
iful. and the wheels of progress have
,een speeded.
A serious menace to the plans of Con-
,ress for the future development Of the
apital. however. is gaining grounc
throughout the country. 1t is the idea
hat has crept into the minds of the
'eople of the States that they not only
ire contributing largely to the beauti-
ication of the city, but that they are
lso paying the current expenses OF
unning the city.
And when the question of the fiscal re-
atoms between the Federal and the Dis
riot governments comes before Con-
ress next winter 1t is not improbable
hat this idea among the voters in the
tates will be brought to bear in an
fort to have the half-and-half plan
polished. 1t is admitted by all who
re familiar with the early history of the
ity that such Withdrawal would mean
ure death for the beautiful National
apital that has been built. It would
lean. they say. degeneration into
lie mediocre class Of other cities.
Want industries Located Here.
In discussing the burden imposed upon !
he people of the District. which appar- :
ntly is not taken into consideration by
ne people Of the Sta,es. a FORMER presi-
emit of the Washington Chamber of
commerce said: :
The Capital Of the nation Is laid out .
pom SO extensive a scale as greatly to
nhance the cost OF paving maintenance
leaning and lighting it's wide streets
nd avenues. The departments and other
Of the Federal govern
lent make such extraordinary demands
ltail great additional cost. To provide
lie necessary fire and police protection
,r the many millions of dollars belong
g to the government, for the President
nd other officials Of the United States.
I'd the representatives of foreign gov
'nments. an immense financial burden is
id upon the citizens and taxpayers"
Again, the business men of the city are
eginninS to doubt the wisdom of ex-
uding industry on a large scale from
lie city. Many of them find it hard to
lcrifice the financial welfare Of the peo-
e Of the District to maintain the beauty
; the National Capital. especially since
lie unemployment problem has grown
acute.
Some see the old commercial prestige
Georgetown returning. In the days of
Gorge Washington, Georgetown was one
the leading ports of the country, en-