Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-20
Dreams of the Capital.


Peoples of the District of Columbia,
Maryland and Virginia are dreaming
dreams. Unlike those intangible some
things which amuse but fade as morn
ing mists before the sun of reality
these dreams are practical. They are
desirable. They are worth while. They
will be realized. For Washington and
its neighbours are dreaming today of
the greater and more magnificent Ma
tional Capital whose reaches shall eX-
tend far into Virginia and far into
Maryland. They are visualizing broad,
beautiful avenues; they see what is
now mere countryside dotted with
beautiful homes and studded with en-
trancing little parks within the reach
of every home owner. Along the
beautiful stretches of the Potomac
will be boulevards rivaling the Riviera
in their natural beauty. Skirting the
little streams, whose waters restlesSly
tumble on through the valleys, will be
proaches to the main section of the
National Capital will become entranc.
ing pictures IMPLYING the content
ment. peace. beauty and substantial
ity of this thing we call the National
Capital. From the inspiration of the
newer and greater city, carefully
planned, will come a model for the
municipalities of the world. And as
it's fame progresses over the length
and breadth of the Nation additional
thousands of good. sturdy. American
citizens will come to the National
Capital to make their home, that their
families may enjoy the remarkable
advantages and environment pro-
vided. Just as Washington, Mary
land and Virginia will take pride in
the future National Capital. just so
will the Nation take pride and in even
greater measure.
These facts are inspiring the
dreams of today and the park and
planning commissions Of the District
of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia
are but the crucibles in which these
dreams are to be transformed into
actualities.
City planning has twofold value.
1t not only pays for itself in g. prao.
teal way by virtue Of increased prop.
erty values occasioned by the demand
of all people to share In any well plan
ned city beauties. but it likewise
builds in the hearts and minds Of it's
citizens greater respect for beauty
and worthwhileness in civic endeavor.
Indifference to civic duty, COM
placency in tolerating the shabby, un-
clean and disreputable surroundings
pass quickly before a greatly aroused
consciousness that these things are
cententment. Inspire in man q de-
sire for beauty about him and the
future Of any city or nation is safe.
In creating beauty for the National
Capital the city planners Of today are
raising new bulwarks about the home
and making it more contented. And
for the worthwhile things of everyday
life.
Washington is but an infant COM
pared to the Washington Of the flu.
ture. The city's physical, character
istics must be determined today ahead
of it's advance. That it must eventu
ally grow sinto suburban Maryland
and Virginia is ordained. Already
citizens of these States have become
aroused to their responsibilities and
park and planning commissions there
are working to make those sections
really the most delightful sections of
the National Capital. If planned
along big and broad lines with eye
single to beauty, convenience and
practically, truly Washington pos
sibilities are limitless. Frederick Ohm
sted, the great city planner, has de-
clared the suburbs OF Washington
offer greater opportunity for estab.
lishment of things beautiful in civic
advancement than any other city Of
the United States. Maryland and Vir-
ginia realize their duty to themselves,
to the National Capital and to the
Nation, and when in future years
Washington becomes greater and
moro beautiful. the city. now hoped
for, paeans Of thanksgiving will arise
for the vision, the foresight and the
courage of those men who today are
laying the foundation stones for the
future structure.