Evening star., 1922-10-22
Kansas Editor Finds
Here Two Kinds of
Government.
One, Invisible, AS
serted to Have
Greater Power.
BY WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE

ri IMPERIAL WASHINGTON" is the title of a
book written by former Senator Richard F.
Pettigrew of South Dakota. The book tells
of the gradually widening authority Of the
government officials who live in Washington over
the lives and destinies of the people this
tinent and upon the islands of the sea. who come
under our fag. 1t Is disquieting book-"Imperial
Washington" and the facts set forth by Mr. Petit
grew indicate. what no one will dispute, that we
are becoming imperial people We have some
where subconscously in our dreams nasty lust
for empire lust which consciously we deny with
reddenng gills Gradually taking under
dominion in one way another all the islands
near our shores that not tied down to England.
Central America feels vaguely the presence of this
lust In eyes which deny; under
suspicion among neighbors. But the impe-
rialism of Washington is not merely desire for
foreign dominion. We building up a strongly
centralized government for the people Of this
ttnent Americans finding that they must turn
to Washington more and more for direction in their
business their sanitation. their social activities
their educational purposes
Becoming Sacred City.
Our capital. Imperial Washington" Is becom-
ing more and more a sacred city, holy Of holies
in our politics. place of pilgrimage. New York
remains Intellectual and commercial capital.
Therein the blare and of the avalanche OF
commerce that scours the cavernous banks of the
trade channels that grddle the the life blood
of America courses its tumuitous way. New York
IS the heart of things. but Washington rules From
Washington the impulses. the visions. the
purposes that rise within sometimes only to
be thwarted and appear elsewhere in the mob de-
sires the prohibitions and the restrictions which
guide and give color and character to our lives.
New York Is Grass and material thing beau
tiful. powerful obvious. glorious. Washington's
glory is of the spirit. 1t is elusive. but
certain. No doubts the charm. No
question the power of Washington, even though
II Is often mysterious and impalpab!e.
This autumn the town itself. the outward and
visible sign of Washington. is not gorgeous
1t is often in October. because dry September
thnned the foliage. The flowers are not SO
gay they sometimes and because Congress
IS IN session the town is bit dull. But it Is
Seasonable Habits of Capital.
Washington has odd seasonal habits. In the
late spring. certain small dealers in odd things
small fruiterers confectioners. oyster men. curio
venders and owners of antique shops close their
places and disappear. They go like the birds: per-
appear in the Adirondacks. the Rockies. or on
the Maine coast. Few Washington people
meet these migrants. they just disappear and
in October back and brighten up the side
streets. They coming back now and slowly the
hotels are filling Washington is coming to life.
Why 1t should suspend animation, heaven only
knows. But 1t does.
Commerce in Washington knows Its own trade
winds In another month Washington will be
normal And the more normal Washington is, the
more mike any other American city 1t is. Yet It
IS not collection Of foreign groups. many Of
our great cities are. Washington is beautifully
American oId-fashioned. star-spangled and 100 per
cent Probably no other city Of It's size ON the