Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-17

ington. the hopes of Thomas
Jefferson. the cherished de-
sires of James Madison. have
al found realization in the develop
ment Of our National Capital into the
center Of science. not only for the
United States, but also for the whole
world.
More than 125 years ago Gen.
George Washington made one Of the
most notable pleas Of his life of
craftsmanship in his efforts to divert
the intention Of Congress to christen
the Capital city Of America in his
honor. Washington asked that the
name be changed to Federal City.
He said that the great city of the
future. which even then he could
visualize. would become one of the
powers Of all creation, a center of
international science, art and litera-
ture, homing place of the worlds
celebrities.
Washington claimed that the name
Federal City would be much more in
Keeping with the potential greatness
of Americas capital than any other
u. SS,
however, overruled the wishes of our
hrst President and named the infant
city after him.
The early prophecies Of Washing
ton the man have come true, for
today Washington the city is the
hub OF science and nucleus Of litera-
ture not only Of this country, but
also of every foreign country which
has been tanned by modern ciytItza-
ton.
Our national city OF legislation Is
q capital of capitals. 1t Is the core of
international activities. 1t is the
buips-eye OF a target formed by the
world map. Washington leads the
world at present in scientific investi-
cations and achievements. Just as
notably as the famous general for
whom the city was named led his
colonial troopers during the revolu-
tionary war.
More than 1000 of the leading Sci
entists of the world-men who are In
terlational authorities In their diff
ferent pursuits and specialties-now
pay their annual taxes in the District
OF Columbia Every field Of science
and every technical enterprise known
TO modern education are represented
among their ranks. Many Of these
men are the Babe Ruths and Jack
Dempseys Of their callings - heavy
weight champions, who will wear the
crowns of supremacy as long as they
continue to compete Or contest
against all corners.
II you want to take the trouble Of
canvasstng scientific directory in or
der to study the population Of Wash
ington by technical classification, you
will ind that. every field of scientific
effort known to man is represented
by one or many master minds in our
City of Presidents.
GOLD was the lure which encor,-
passed the settlement OF Cali
fornia by hardy pioneers. who braved
every hazard of wilderness, desert,
wild beasts and unfriendly Indians in
order to reach that land Of treasured
nuggets. Treasures even more valu-
able than gold have attracted anna.
teur and ambitious scientists and men
of arts and letters to Washington, and
led to the permanent establishment
here of a colony Of intellectualtsts
that excels all others in existence.
Washington's wonderful libraries,
the matchless research facilities pro-
vided by the government bureaus, the
scientific explorations. and exploita-
tons fostered by national organiza-
lions which center In Washington
these and scores Of similar induce
ments have attracted men Of scien-
tiac mind and learning to Washing
ton.
II there is one characteristic more
outstanding than all others which
typifies the vast army Of scientific
workers and their leaders who re-
ceive their mail through the Wash
ington post Office 1t is the spirit of
sacrifice. For hundreds Of the most
important members of Washington's
curious scientific army could, on vari-
Gus occasions, have increased their
salaries by so to 100 per cent by ac-
cepting attractive offers from COM
mercial agencies to enter their serv-
mark of the real scientist, for, in the
main, these men have refused the lure
Of personal gain and have stuck to
their Jobs Of carrying on Uncle Sans
1nultitudinous research Investigations
the most Of which are designed for
the ultimate benefit OF you and: me
and every other American resident.
The mammoth Library Of Con-
gress. with Its vast; assets Of books,
which occupy more than 100 miles Of
shelf room and range in size from
Tom Thumb tones, as small as the
top of your thumb, to huge volumes
aus large as the upper surface Of a
drummer's trunk, is a 1924 Circe
which, like a magnet draws men Of
science, research and letters to Wash
ington. There are a score or more of
specialized and technical libraries, in
addition, which are open to the pub
lie, and which spread the lure Of
lodestone to all other sections Of this
country rs we'll as to many overseas
landA -.,,-.. - go.
The marvellous museums ana ~