Pueblo chieftain., 1922-02-22
BY Frederic J. Haskin.

WASHINGTON. d. C. Feb. 10
Washington as the meeting place OF
the International conference which re-
suited in tho formulation OF treaties
designated by President Harding AS
marking the beginning OF n new Ano
better epoch In human progress nc
centuatcs the facts that the city IN
world center. and mot only the SounR
est. but really tho most important caP-
itai city In the world. Rome. London
Paris. Toxic. Edinburgh. Vienna. Ber-
lin and other great capitals or inc
world have their origin in renot"
past their beginnings almost lost III
the darkness of antiquity.
The creation of the Capital OF thc
United States was the first instance
in history OF nation founding
scat OF govrumcnt on new ground ny
legislative act" said tho late Aims
worth r. Spofford. Librarian OF CON
ercss for many years. And inc ci,y
was planned on seal" or hmphtuue
and with marvellous foresight whlcn
does immortal honor to Its chief pro-
Jec,ors. Washington. Jefferson. Len
FAINT and Ellicott.'
) From lJ5t to i77s, tho Continental
Congress and its successor. tho Con-
gress Of tho Confederation. from lnA
to 1889, assembled succcssiNely at oish'
places in four different states-fhila-
dolphia, Baltimore. Lancaster. York.
Princeton. Annapolis. Trenton and
New York.
cAPiTAL u, YEARS OLD
IN May. 1900, the city OF Washing
ton became tho Capital Of the country.
congress. In 1920 had passed an act
provIding for its removal from Phila
delphia in 10 years. This act for estah-
fishing the temporary and permanent
sea. OF tho government OF the United
statcs was approved by President
Washington July is. 1890. Maryland
and virginia had agreed TO contribute
hundred square miles OF territory
and tho act gave the president the
sole power to select any site on the
Potomac river between the mouth OF
tho eastern branch and the mouth of
tho Conocochea or about miles
from Harcrstown. Md. which is over
100 miles, following tho windinEs of
the river, from the present capital. IL
was in tho power OF Washington TO
have founded the National Capital at
Harpcrs Ferry, 20 miles west OF Balti
more. instead 81 at tho site selected, ~
miles southwest OF u.
on March 20, 1921. Washington mot
tho chief land owners. who agreed 70
convey to the government all theif
rights in fcc simple for $685. per acre
for land taken for public buildings or
improvements. At tho same time. Nal
or Pierre Charles L.Enfant. n French
engineer WHO Udu H'i f'h HiAh 'A'h's
in tho Revolutionary war, was chosen
by Washington and Thomas Jefferson
to aid in the extensive work OF lay
ing out the city. Hc adopted the plan
of Versailles and drew UP n map
which was submitted to Congress by
| tho president. Washington did not
live to sec tho actual removal Of the
government from Philadelphia.
on May rs. 1900. In pursuance Of
tho Act OF Congress OF 10 yesrn prev
| ious. tho moving OF tho Federal gov
ernmeut began. The books, papers
l furniture. and other parap pher ALA
were brought from Philadelphia to the
now site in sailing vessels which went
around bv tho Delaware and Chess :
penke Bays and the Potomac river.
MOVED GOVERNMENT FOR ssi. .o0d
Official records show that II cos,
! the government only $4,000 for rcmov-
al OF its Offices and archives This
sum included the expenses Of tho
clerks of the various departments. Tho
size of the government force then in
| dicates clearly that ours was indeed
an infant republic. The now govern
| ment began in Washington with 126
| clerks. and the total sum paid in SAL
aries for tho year 1900 was s125,ss1.
Tho population Of tho city was cstl-
mated TO he about 1900. and the
| streets or roads were decp in mud. he-
inR ~ times impossible. There were
100 brick and e5a frame bousez I'm The
city The treasury department was tho