Evening star., 1921-09-25
. HE Washington of today Is a
transformation. 1t was to John
Randolph a "city of magnih-


cent distances which Dick
ems paraphrased into city OF mag
nif1cent Intentions" Gouverneur Nor
ris wrote of 1t in his day. "Ail tnat
we need here are houses, cellars
kitchens, scholarly men. amiaoie
women and a few other trifes TO
possess a perfect city, the best city
in the world to live in-in the fu-
ture." That future has dawned. not
only in national wellbeing and poll
ticaI power, but as the dominating
r~nter of the Intellectual and spirltuai
forces of our Christian civilization.
The past quarter of century, espe-
-cially through the necessities OF the
world war, has witnessed its largest
and varied development and attrac.
.tiveness 1t has been PERIOD OF
revolution and surprise, whose nose prind sp,sn
did achievements indicate their varied
expressions in the contrast OF tne
Langley disaster and the Boiling Flelo
of today.
The Most Beautiful American Sity.
1t is already the most beautiful
american city. Under the national
committee of art, recently ana nost
wisely arranged, the original plan or
L'Enfant is to be developed in elab-
crate and esthetic CONSTRUCTION m
cluding the varied parks with tnelr
individual flowers. shrubs ana trees
the shaded avenues. statues ana pup
lie buildings. Massachusetts asenue ae
has now more linden trees than can
be- found in the famous Inter der
Linden in Berlin. Even pennsylvania
avenue, the disappointment. not
humiliation, to every patriotic VISITOR.
will one day be worthy OF ananss It's s'a1s1s Ths
contemplated picture Of sunken gar
dens and fountains with its imposing
frame of the Washington Monument
and Lincoln Memorial will be originai.
historic and unriyaled. II misns ps
well II somehow this COMMITTEES could
have an authoritative word even IN
the matter Of our church buildings.
No important American city is SO
lilly furnished herein as Washingteh.
With few exceptions. they are pain
ly furnished for modern church life.
and feebly representative OF our
American church service and Ideals.
A City That Is n University.
The common conception of the city
as only political center is natural.
but far from the reality: 1t Is the
special and exceptional focus Of all
.that is best in the life and thought
sof the American people. 1t IS per-
vaded with an atmosphere OF INTEL
lectual culture. II is the library.
s{reasure house and distributing center
plishments. It's official departments
bold an aggregation of scientists OF
Original work and international lame.
i remember one evening looking upon
i social function at the Cosmos Cluo.
br. Harris. then commissioner OF edu.'
Cation, asked. DO you know what
you are looking at?" I replied, "A
Sood-looking lot of intelligent men
die said, More than that. You see the
largest gathering of real scientists.
Respective spheres of science. that
fould possibly be gotten together any,
Where in this country The Nationai
Museum has one Of the richest sclen.
tific libraries in existence. The best
and most complete medical library is
1n our Medical Museum. That of the
bureau of education is conceded to be
nnequaled in its pedagogy. The F'reer
memorial, just being completed. al
ready has summoned attraction inter-
nationally BY its Whistler treasures.
IT'S oriental collections and its unique
and valuable contribution to the study
Sf New Testament manuscripts. we
have, in our Library Of Congress. the
best musical library in the world; It's
Socks and manuscript being in con-
Atant loan in such musical centers as
iondon Paris and Vienna. 1t Is the
mecca of journalists and writer's. Tne
academic atmosphere Is distinct ana
effective through the five universities
Of Georgetown. George Washington,
Catholic, Howard and American. 1t
has been an increasing wonder. dur
ing my stay here, that some million-
aire has not grasped the opportunity
influence by generous endowment OF
one of these institutions, notably the
George Washington. whose name and
traditions are so commanding and MIS-
with its incompatible scheme OF Ii
braries, laboratories. galleries, mu-
seums and collections. would be q
university before which Harvard or
Yale or Chicago would sink into In
Significance.
It's Dramatic Life.
s;,Life in this city is dramatic. Every
fiforning the curtain is rung up. There
may be pause, but nothing hum
fi}pm. This pastorate has extended
hom Cleveland to Harding, and this
morning was as bright and eager as
yesterday the Venezuela challenge Of
+ chivalric patriotism. the eferves-
tence and mingled turbulence 6f the
Etban war, and then the heroic. eager
Mrshaling for the world war; yes
Mday the personal delivery Of q
kiPresident inaugurated with almost
Tie quiet and informality Of q town
heeting: here congressional repre-
initiative In tears because. she must
HSte. and there a quiet. sell. possessed
Woman in the speakers chair; here
aimodest. unheardsof man who trans
Hets diplomatic duties In eighteen Ian
Hhages. and there the famous woman
Who discovered radiunf1; yesterday an
Giterview In the White House. today
Hn ex-President's plea before the
Htpreme Court: tomorrow a rough
Rd-tumble wrangle in the House. and
NE day after a sermon by the Arch
Aishop of York, and around and
HHrough and over 1t all, an atmosphere
Ntviied and individualized by the
eroism of a Cleveland. the tact Of a
Mckinley. the genius Of q Roosevelt:
the geniality Of Taft, the cultured
AeN-pcise of Wilson and the democ-
A3cy Of Harding.
Nigh Character Of Our Public Men.
ifsFrom q close observation Of twenty
6te years ! would like to enter pro-
st against the common depreciation
Haracters o! our public men. Few
Hen Of our Presidents have escaped
tAlumny. II Is almost ludicreus to
tfeet tho childlike complacefcy Of
TIE astounding tales Of privste lives.
eertion which are unpatriotic and
$AIe, and, as q matter Of fact, prepos-
terously impossible. The White House
Ii an American home. its life clean
tnd wholesome. Here. no doubt, as
fled as good, bad and Indifferent. but
the general tone is high and patriotic,
Md in fine contrast to that Of other
6ars. The Sumner tragedy could not
re-enacted: The Biadensburg duel
disappeared from the desk of the
Congressional orato They are. as a
&iAss, self-respecting. hard-working.