Evening star., 1926-12-18
RY &. r.. Ia NiGRE.

During the last 10 months ne"
homes have been constructed IN the
National Capital at an aggregate
yalue of SAL 900 900 Total new resi-
dental construction amounting each
year To approximately 45.O00.oo0 pro-
v:cles housing accommodations tor an
annual increase of not less than 40.-
900 population. Washington is com
pIeting a record year of building con
Struction of all types, which will total
near SOS 900 600 and that does not
take into consideration the Federal
building program nor any OF the
quickly developing suburban areas
in Maryland and Virginia, such as
Chevy Chase and Arlington County.
The distinguishing mark of allure
rnent in Washingtons city planning
is it's network of park areas ana at
tractiVp home sections, nesting In all
parts of the city and not particularly
restricted to a single zone. In other
words, we have more OaSeS ana pretty
spots than barren monotony OF Just
streets or desert. The residences
fringe some 563 parks, reservations
and circles. the value of these areas
in improvements being Sl55, 5,SS3,1SO.
Other Beauty spots.
We also have Rock Creek Park
with its 1852 acres, and Soldiers
Home, with 500 acres. the ideal OF
America in natural landscape beauty.
The steady, conservative and healthy
increase in real estate values in the
last few years no doubt IS due IN
good part to the distinctive and un-
usual feature of this close admlXture
of homes and parks everywhere over
the city. Where home ownership ana
home atmosphere is increasing with
leaps and bounds like ii Is in WASH
fngton: there rests best proof of sub
stantial. secure advancement without
resort to artificial imitation.
1t is good to learn first to VEN
crate home-where the heart is--the
vital and inner circle that supplies
good or bad citizenship for circula-
tion through the community. Home
IS the sure rock and unit on which
civilization and progress stands or
falls. marking the destiny of peo-
pie. The more real homes. the great
err the atmosphere of affection ana
tenderness, of power. resolution and
capacity FOR the building of a city
that endures.
Said the first citizen of our land In
his annual message just delivered 10
Congress. and it is worthy OF the
widest circulation and attention.
1--WE are embarking on an ambl-
of Washington. The Memorial Bridge
is4 under way with all that it holds
for use and beauty. New buildings
are soon contemplated This pro-
gram should represent the best lnal
hA5s,iH In the art and science oil ar
ci.;tecture. Into these structures.
wrt2i must be considered as of a per- |
r,lanent nature, ought to go the as
pirations of the Nation. its ideals eX-
pressed IN forms of beauty.
Beauty Put First.
sIfaour country wishes to compete
with others, let it not be. ~ Inc sup
mort of armaments, but in the making
Of a beautiful capital city. Let 1T
exnress the soul of America. men
ever an American is at the seat OF
his Government, however traVeied
and cultured he may be, he ought TO
find city of stately proportion, sym
metricaIly laid out and adorned WIN
the hest that there is in architecture
which would arouse his Imagination
and stir his patriotic PRIDE.
'In the coming years NashlIlsAoie
should be not only the art center ol
o,,,, own country, but the art center
- tho world. Around it should cen
1er all that is best in science, III
learning in letters and in art. IheSe
TX: results that justify the crea
+ion of those national resources WIN
which we have been favored.
washington Convention Bureau III
&c ioh of selling the National Capl-
4a1 TO America and the world as d
convention center, has repeatedly re-
forrad 10 Washington in descriptive
comment, written and spoken as 'he
soul of America Now the Tie
dent of the United States aoos uls
= ,,;tv and significance to the sehll-
aa,+ hv sounding the clarion note
+bat in the making of this beautiui
citv sslet it express the soul Oh
America" =.
T.incoln's comment on the subject OF
education. not presuming to dictate
anv nlan or system respecting IT. was
TO- II should be viewed as the most
imnortant subject which we as a peo-
ple can be engaged In. WIthouI
attempting detail, it can be asserted
that the National Capital is essentially
the leading modern forum Aor sen
education among an the II.ie ~
America-one cannot i've mere y.
visit here without gaining added
understanding.
Inevitably centering in Washington
ore national structures and centerS OF
education of science, of literature ol
law of history and of art, libraries
and museums, ornate Government
buildings in which national progress
is guided. Here is resplendent dlplo-
matte and social life, with legations
and embassies of impressive archltec-
.+,re ma ior functions and activities of
great political and business events,
and the peak of higher Government
official life.
washington is growing rapidly into
a CITY of magnificent and imposing
churches, shrines representative OF
forceful and prevailing religious
activities in virtually every known
denomination religious powerhouse
as well as political dynamo in world
affairs. The total real estate values
of our church and educational lnstl-
tutions approximate $50 000,00
Homes, educational institutions,
churches-here we have the finest
coalition Of the triumvirate govern
ment under the three great factors
that contribute most to intellectual,
social and cultural progress.
The Government of the United
States has property investment here
appraised at $400, 900, 600 and has
59,S16 persons on its annual pay roll
The District has a property invest
ment of $50 900, 600. These two items,
added to that of our churches and
educational holdings, show realty and
improvements amounting to $4S0,00O
900, all exempt from taxation.
Land and improvements.
The total land and improvements
subject to taxation for the year end
ing June IS, 1926. is $500. 0.749 SAP. with
total tangible, intangible and miscel-
laneous property additional aggre-
eating $3.50, .765. The Federal City