Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-02

big city has a summer individuality
all is own. Some people go away, and
others come. and ways Of work ana
play are greatly changed.
Especially Is this true OF Washing
ton. There Is a large class-the So
ciety folk, who frequent Washington
more ana more in the wintcr-,hat de-
parts en- mRssc when the hot days
come. They leave some Of the most
Impressive rows OF empty houses in
the world. Along the shady streets of
the Northwest section YOU may walk
for blocks. II not miles, past ornate
residences with shattered windows and
locked doors Tho streets are lirelcss.
Tina, part OF the city is literally dead.
There are, however. several large
classes that stick To Washington right
through the dog days, with the posi-
lle exception OF two or three weeks
or q month OF vacation. Most notable
Of these are the government employees
Of whom there ARE 10000. Then. too.
Congress Is still in session. and has
hccn most Of the year for several sea-
sons past. The congressman and Scna-
tors. however. do not stick very close.
y man who came a long distance to SEQ
the Senate in action the other day, Was
amazed to find tho chamber occupied
10! one venerable gentleman. who was
reading a speech on universal peace.
''f ~ ~ hAS No. ~ iAD
were snooHing.
Nearly all of the Legislators send
their families out of town for the
summer and follow them Whenever
they get the chance. sun. Congress.
and tho diplomats. many of whom re-
main here. add a good deal to the sum
mS life of the Capital.
VIcn. too. the white House con-
ttnUcS to he q center OF more o. less
activity. Thc President OF the United
So 0 80 I-
Importance IN the world who has no
summer capital. or course. most of
the Presidents rent a summer place.
as Mr.. Wilson has taken Shadowlawn.
bht the executive machinery remains
AZ Washington and the President us
ualiy finds IL necessary to spend a
good deal OF his time here.
They Are No Martyrs.
Now TINS varied population which
stays in Washington to keep the gov
erhinent functioninG il generally
thought or as ali aggregation OF swell
tcrinE martyrs. Washington has a
reputation for heat II must he hastily
added that the reputation is pretty
much deserved. AT times. and in spells.
washington is numerically hot. But
there are other times and spells when
IT is cool. Still more important Wash
ing has exceptional facilities for
the enjoyment Of that great American
institution. the weekend. In one d.
rection the Potomac River reaches a
widening tidal estuary toward the At
!aht'c. Fifiy miles from Washington IL
is lour miles wide and steadily famed
by sea brecZcs. Its forcstcd banks ara
frlnSed with white sand beaches that
tempt the camper. and it's waters are
full OF fish. There are a number Of
st'!e summer resorts which anyone
VINO owns fifty cents may reach by
an excursion steamer. while the own
er Of a motorboat or even = canoe has
adventure and recreation at his COM
mand.
westward OF Washington lie the Blue
Ridge Mountains. Car lines reach the
iower ridges, while within fifty miles
by rail- YOU can reach an elevation of
more than 1000 feet and keen cool
ON the hottest days. Here the upper
Potomac ana Shenandoah are clean.
swift streams. where the black bass
bite, while there Is trout fishing in
many or the tributaries. President
cleveland often enjoyed good snort in
these streams. Indeed. official Wash
inGton has found sport in the noun
tains ana rivers OF the adjoining.States
ever since the early days Of the re-
public. Washington was fond Of duck
shooting on the Potomac. Daniel Web
ster was n great fisherman. and was
especially fond OF casting a fly In Diff
fcult Run, which is about eighteen
miles from Washington. Lately this
stream has been re~stocked, and is
now furnishing sport, though no SUCH
big fish as Daniel caught arc found
there now. Postmaster-General Burle-
son is the sportsman OF the present
administration, and. is especially fond
OF trips dow the Potomac to salt wa
ter, where he catches great numbers
OF spot and sea trout. with the assist
ance OF several assistant postmasters-
general.
Resides the water trips. a number Of
routes provide a quick and easy escape
from the hot spells OF the capital.
Within a couple Of hours ride from
Washington is n long stretch Of the
richest farming land in the whole coun-
try-that OF Frederic County, Md
and beyond that are again the Blue
Ridge Mountains extending into MARY
land and Pcnnsylvaia. Here on high
points in tho midst OF wild strips OF
forest are located summer hotels, whose
special feature is the accommodation
Of weekend motor parties.
Many Hotels Near.
Nearer Washington there arc also
many such hotels which cater TO the
automobile trade. and which serve cx-
ceptional Maryland and Virginia din
ners that are ordered by telephone from
the Capital. After dinner tho peoplc
adjourn to the wide, waxod porchcs
and dance to the strains OF n hard
working rural orchestra which quits
abruptly at 10 o'clock. These hotels
are the summer JOY Of middIe-agcd
married couples just cmancipated from
the vigorous supervision Of the dane
ing eacher, who are thus able 10
pursue the tcrpischorean art and at