Evening star., 1922-01-24
SAYSPEOPLEFAVOR
BEAUT|FY Y|NGC|TY
Would Make Washington
| Handsomest Capital in
{ World, Keller Believes.
NATION BEHIND THE MOVE
I'm Address Before Mid City Asso.
citation Engineer Commissioner
j Discusses $3.50 LEGAL System.

Tho vast majority of citizens of
the United States are in favor OF
making the National Capital the most
beautiful city in the world. and to
accomplish this they would be will
ing to pay their share of the neces-
sary cost, according to the opinion
of Col. Charles Keller, engineer Com
missioner of the District, as expressed
last night In an address before the
members of: the Mid-City Citizens
Association meeting in the Thomson
School.
Col Keller stated that from his
observations the paying of at least
half the expenses of maintaining the
District of Columbia and in pro-
viding for its future development IS
by no means distasteful to the people
throughout the nation. despite 'he
fact that the frequent attltuoe .,
some members of Congress toWaio
this city would indicate othef"lse'
Difficult to Impress Congress.
1t is difficult generally to impress
with the necessity for improving the
capital city, according to Col. Keller
He explained that this may De que
to the fact that they look upon WASH
ington as an ordinary city ana not
as the capital of the nation.
MANY members of Congress come
from small places" Col. Keller said'
"and they cannot see why Wasnins-
ton should be treated differently from
their home town in the matter OF
appropriations. If they would put
the question up to their constitu-
encies, there would be, in my esti-
nation, only one reply.
Il honestly believe great MAJOR
ity of the citizens of the country,
continued Col. Keller, would reply
Yes if they were asked to say
yes or mo- to the following ques-
tion: DO you or do you not desire
that the District of Columbia be de-
veloped into the most beautiful city
in the world, and are you willing to
pay your share of the expense in ac-
-complishing this ambition"
Disclaims Purpose Of Crfticising.
The engineer officer explained that
he did not want to appear critical OF
complaining, but he wished merely
to express his opinion regarding the
citizenship of th- nation regarding
its capital city. He believes that
when members of Congress come to
a better realization regarding the
wishes of the people regarding Wash
fngton they will spare no expense in
developing this great city.
Col. Keller then turned his attention
to what he termed as the well ad-
vertised public school difficulties"
He expressed the opinion that if the
school heads showed a little less in
dustry in their criticism of the Dis
trict Commissioners for their mig
Eardliness regarding school appropri-
ations" and little more industry
in connection with the school system
itself. it would be better for all con-
cerned.
Not ax Bad as Described, He Says.
ITO listen to the school heads"
Col. Keller stated, "one would be
forced to think there were no schools
in Washington The situation is
really nowhere as bad as Supt. Ballou
contends, at least not from the Com
missioners' point of view. However.
Supt. Ballous Viewpoint may be diff
ferent from ours. but. then, he fails
to consider that there are other ma
terial things in the District which
require appropriations. l would sug-
gest to the school heads that it would
be more becoming and practical if
they lessened their criticism and that
they get busy figuring how they can
more properly utilize what they have
at hand. He denied with much en-
phasis. allegations that the municipal
architects office is behind in prepar-
ing plans for school buildings. He
declared that with the exception of
plans for two Junior high schools, all
Of these plans have been completed.
'The reason why the plans for these
junior high schools have not been
completed is because we have no def
mite idea what is wanted for thes