Evening star., 1919-10-12
BY N. o. MESSENGER.


Senator Phelan of California, a man
Of culture, who has sojourned in the
capitals of the world and appreciated
their beauties of architecture. thinks
that this capital. in which we live,
is destined, unless blighted by dema-
gogic parsimony. to become one OF
the most glorious in the world. His
opinion is shared by large number
of men in both houses of Congress.
some of whom saw it f1rst"-that is
to say, entertained the opinion be-
fore he came to Congress. If he re-
mains in the Senate he is likely to
give the capital the benefit of his
views in practical legislation for the
Elorifcation of the nations capital.
From developments Of and incidents
attendant upon legislation concern
ing local affairs in the past few
months the prediction can be safely
made that at the next or regular"
session OF Congress. commencing in
December, the capital of the United
States bids fair to receive more at
tention from the Congress of the
United States.
X X +
"Will we ever get back to the good
old leisurely ways in Washington"
one h ca r S
NEVER RETURN very often.
TO LEIsURLY WAYS. Not ev e r"
may be ac-
cepted as the emphatic answer. Some,
in order to add emphasis. say Not
never" This is not "our Washington"
any longer, fellow cave dwellers and
you members Of District first families.
It is the capital Of the United States,
the seat of federal government, the
hef Of Congress.
You will be given the right Of suf-
frage. as you should, in all likelihood.
Thereby will dignity be lent to the
capital through the added dignity of
it's citixenry Thereby will residents
of the capital be given a stake in the
government al well as in the munich
pality. But 1t is a moral certainty
that Congress from now on will exer-
else a closer scrutiny over the affairs
of the capital. assert more rigid con-
troll. and. 1t is believed. will eventual
this a model city. because Of keener
appreciation Of the fact that it is the
nations city and that it is the ward
Of Congress.
+**4
Congress realizes how the capital
has expanded during the war. The
average e
CANNOT VISUALIZE reside mt
RAPiDITY OF GROWTH. who moves
in a rath-
er circumscribed area over well trav-
eled routes may have an idea of the
growth and increase coming within
his purview. but he cannot visualize
the vastness Of it all. even though he
skirts in his family car. But Congress
can. because Congress o. ks the bills
for this wondrous growth; checks up
the pay rolls indicating the number
of government employees and totals
the investment in the plants to
carry on the monumental work of
government.
Thoughtful men in Congress say
they do not believe that it will be
possible to effect material curtail-
ment of the government establish
ment- It may be possible to cut out
a few thousand employees. but the big
plant is here and they say that the
growing demands Of government for
the future will utilize it. For one
thing. the government was handi-
capped in facilities for normal work
before the war. There was made
quate housing Of many bureaus. in
sufficient clerical force. The war gave
the opportunity to spread out and
stock up. 1t is predicted that most
of this expansion will be justified by
the demands Of the future. The sur
plusage will be eliminated If pos
sible.
How many people have you in YOU
eity7" a visitor to Washington asked
his host.
CAPITALS EXPANSION "A bou
IN PROPORTION TO U. S. 10000. in
clud n
the whites" was the reply. There arr
more than 417,ooo. according to tn
health Offices estimate, which make
Washington a big city as big cities go
Including war transients the population
Is estimated to approximate half mil
lion. II the United States continues t
grow it is impossible to argue how tn
capital should not expand proportion
Ately. The capital. it Is believed, will
derive In addition to this normal ex
pansion, growth and immeasurabl
added Importance from the positio
which the outcome of the war CAV
the United States in the world.
may not be the most brilliant dip
lomatic center. in point of gayety an
display, but 1t will be one of the mos
important The midnight oil will bur
in chancellories in this capital man
q night from now on.
But there Is no reason to think tina
the American capital may not have
modicum of the brilliancy Of foreig
capitals. when normal conditions ar
restored. The prospect. anyhow, wi
doubtless attract many visitors an
make the city a desirable place {
residence. Business and finance hav
their Representatives in Washingto
and every big ONCE building up tow
bears the name plates Of out-of-tow
Industries and institutions. 1t is
small business that some time doe
not find 1t has an ak to grind at Wasf