The Washington herald., 1922-04-24


u tangible to the wealth of the nation.
Communities which manufacture nothing lay
themselves liable to the charge of being parasites
on the rest of the commonwealth, however unjust
such an accusation would be in respect to the
Capital of the United States.
On the other hand there are obvious disadvan-
tages to industrial overgrowth Civic beauty is
1essened, despite artistic skill of municipal experts.
The quality of the population is diluted We
should regret ever to see the blue sky that over
hangs Washington blotted with smoke from fac
tory chimneys the green grass of our public
parks covered on Sabbath afternoons with spSawl-
ing, unkempt humanity grimy with SCOT OF furnace
rooms.
Yet by its lack of industry the city is arrested
in development. A great part OF its population
must remain unsettled and shifting, dependent on
the political whims of the nation. Such a condi-
ton injuries the ety's business. 1t introduces a
unique and peculiar element into the communitys
economic problems.
Washington business men long have sought a
satisfactory compromise between these two view
points. As patriotic citizens of the District, with
home5 established here and children in local schools,
they have desire to lessen the residential attrac
tons which, in many respects, are superior to
those of any other municipality in the United States.
The vision Of an ugly, crowded New.York of a
dirty, malodorous Chicago established on the Po-
tomac shore has attraction for them. ,.-.
Yet Washington has many of the potentialities
of great industrial city. 1t is railroad center.
1t has direct deepwater connections. 1t is in close
touch with the coal fields. By neglecting these op-
portunities the business of the city is sacrificing
wealth. untold.
Members of the Washington Real Estate Board
suggest of compromise. They would
build the manufacturing center the river FIVE
miles below Alexandra. This would the
Of machinery and the smell of furnaces far
from the beauty and quiet of the Capital that
there would be no noticeable effect. The District
would remain the same city of magnificent shaded
distances of spotless streets and clean, massive
buildings. But it would reap the trade benefits of
industrial community. Its population would in
crease by leaps and bounds.
All the better element Of the industrial popula-
ton would be almost certain to establish their
homes in the Capital. On the other hand, the less
desirable workers would be forced to live close to
the factories. They would show little inclination
to move away from the neighborhood of their
work. This has been demonstrated again and
again in the development of cities. Chcago's mass
of stockyard workers, exclusive OF the better edu-
Gated and better paid element have crowded to-
gether in the stockyards vicinity They have shown
almost inclination drift into the outlying and
cleaner sections of the city.
District realtors, understand, aye enthusias-
tic the above plan. If they set work at its
development with their customary energy they
would have excellent chances of success. Manufac-
turing. we believe could be attracted easily to the
Virginia location selected for the new city. There
would be countless selling arguments which could
be used.
Thi. is only one, however, of the compromises
between art and industry which might be suggested
ior the benefit of Washington. The idea may be
never anything more than bright vision In the
meantime, District business await with interes,
further suggestons-either from individuals or from
groups.
We have no desire to dilute the culture Of Athens
with the materialism of Egypt. But combination
that would give all the advantages of both Athens
and Egypt would not be an unhappy prospect.
Heaai;ne A,nnexs d.fs.d:.us