The Washington times., 1925-05-01
CAPITAL NOW IS
f[AR-AROUND
Washington Independent OF
Congress or Season to
Insure Growth
By RICHARD HATTON.

by AlChA1D HAIIUN.
Two factors which, not many years
ago. operated to affect the life Of
Washington have forever disap-
peaEed insofar as they may be con-
sidered elements exerting any marked
influence upon the business or the
growth of the city, according to the
generally expressed opinion of bank
ers, realtors. and business men who
have almost universally recorded
the belief that the city has reached
q point in its development where
the presence or absence of Congress
can have little effect upon the bust
ness and where the spring, the fall
and even the summer, as mere Sea-
sons of the year, are of little im-
portance.
In other words, Washington, from
q winter season city, or city. that
was, alive and busy only during
sessions of the. congress, has be-:
come an all-year-around city, busy,
bustling, and growing in the middle
Of fsSummer as well as in the heighth
Of the nlid-winter season.
While it is obvious that Congress
may vet materially affect the pro.
gress of the city in the matter III
appropriations for development with
in the District and for new govern
ment buildings, the plans for this de-
velopment and for new construction
by the Government are now so
thoroughly complete and well under
stood and the necessity for con-
tinued congressional support is so
obvious that there is little chance
that any future Congress will fail in
its duty to the District. Appropria-;
tions may not come as fast or as.
large as the more progressive ele-.
ments of the city desire, but the na-i
tional. legislature is committed to a.
program of. Governmental develop.
ment which is certain to be carried
otat.
Elements Diverse.
While the plans of the Govern
ments are comprehensive and com
piste, there are many other ele-
n8ents within the city, 1t might be
said with truth, within the nation,
which are pushing Washington for
ward at a rapid pace along the road
to development The recent action
on certain patriotic citizens, and,
even, OF property owners who are
not citizens of the District. in pro-
viding the means for completing the
comprehensive park system is but
one evidence of the general support
oeing given efforts to make the
District a model of beauty and
which will wind picturesque roads
and broad boulevards.
. Another influence which is urg-
fng the city on to greater business
growth is the undoubted interest
being taken in it's offerings to
tourists and to those who are fol-
lowing the seasons from north to
south and from south to north.
Few Americans, today, who travel,
from the west and the north south
ward in the fall and winter fail to
pass through Washington or fail
TO spend a few days here on their
way The same is true of those.
who come from the south seek
ing the cool ocean breezes of New
England in the summer.
The result is that Washington,
the year around, is filled with a de-
sirable class of tourists. The
economic result Of this influx, ac-
cording to those in a position to
check up on the matter, is a
tremendous influence in the COM
mercial prosperity of the city.
Value OF Visitors.
There is another angle to this
present general trend of travel
through the nations capital. This
is the selling value of the presence
of the thousands of visitors who
motor over the city and its
enyirons and are impressed with
the desirability of locating here
permanently, either because of the
delightful home advantages. the
excellent business opportunities or
the facilities which are found here
for study along all lines.
This spirit of considering Wash
tngton the home city above all
others has been increasingly evident
within recent years and, from the
stately mansions which line the
avenues to the more modest, but
equally attractive, residences along
the less pretentious streets and in
the fast-growing suberbs the num-
Der Of sales and of new buildings
has been most marked.
At present there is every
evidence that the expansion Of the
city, especially in the home dis
tricts, will continue at even a
faster rate than has been the case
during the past few years. Plans
are already made, and maps pre-
pared, which indicate the prepara-
tions Of the authorities and those
interested in city development for
the continued pushing outward of
the residential sections.
Along with this movement are
the now important plans for future
transportation facilities and the
adequate telephone expansion TO
meet increasing demands. For