Evening star., 1927-10-31
Where Education Is Needed.


Where Education Is Needed.
Aristotle's paripatetic philosophy of
learning while walking about has been
adopted by the American Civic Asso-
citation and applied in its first travel
ing meeting" which ended last week
after tour of selected areas in New
England. For quarter of century
the American Civic Association has
been one of the leading exponents of
civic development in its more impor-
tant branches, and it has played an
important part in fostering Nation
wide sentiment for the creation Of
parks and the safeguarding of the
Countrys natural beauty against the
sometimes ruthless advance of COM
merce and industry. Under it's ban
ners there has been recruited large
host of forward looking men and WON.
en- who are awake to the necessity IN
America today of combining expan-
sion with conservation, of developing
according to plans, instead of planning
according to development. Many of
these men and women attended the
associations travelling meeting" in
New England last week. where they
were shown examples of civic expan-
sion, good and bad, and where they
We're afforded the opportunity, at the
same time, of exchanging opinions
and ideas concerning the development
of other American communities.
Much Of the American Civic Asso-
cations work in the past has been il
relation to the National Capital and
1t has accomplished notable progress,
through it's creation of committees on
the Federal City" throughout the
country, to awaken a national interest
in the proper growth and expansion
of the Nations Capital. So while the
meeting last week was devoted in part
to visiting communities in New Eng
land and learning from them what
they are doing, as much time for dis
cussion was given to what is going
on in Washington today. American
citizens are beginning to take a keen
interest in their Capital. They are
curious to know why the Capital,
planned in advance as a model Capi-
tai and a model city, is neither
model Capital nor a model city. They
70 n 60
ure lies, and to fix responsibility for
this failure.
The many speakers who addressed
the American Civic Association and
its New England hosts last week were
not faced with any great difficulty In
placing this responsibility where 1t
belongs-at the doors of Congress.
But few Of them, apparently, were
able to outline the fundamental points
which today constitute the chief ob
stacles to the development of Wash
ington as the great Federal City for
which it was planned. Some of them
spoke Of the failure by Congress to
regard Washington's development as
an important national enterprise.
Others dwelt upon the niggardliness
Of Congress in appropriating sufficient
funds for proper development Of the
Capital But most interesting Of all
was the hazy understanding by these
proponents Of a greater Capital of the
fact that Congress has put the cart
before the horse in appropriating for
Washington's development-that ap.
propriations for the Capital today are
made on the basis OF. what the resi-
dents OF Washington can stand, plus
a small and unelastic lump sum"
representing the contribution from a
rich and powerful Nation, so that
Washington's development on this
principle is confined, in effect. to the
revenue from taxes Of 500 600 citizens
OF the District after they have paid
for the other necessary expenses Of
maintaining their own municipal es-
tablishment. So long as this principle
continues, Washington's expansion will
OF necessity be slow, and far from that
expansion which the citizens Of the
United States are demanding and ex-
pecting for their Capital.
1t would seem proper that the Amer
lean Civic Association, having created
proper enthusiasm for Capital
growth, should use its good Offices
from now on 10 explain TO the citizens
Of the country the inequality and un-
fairness OF the present system of APP
propriating for the National Capital
Until this system Is changed the citi-
zens Of the United States will continue
10 hope in vain for the great Capital
that they demand. And until they
understand this system. they will seek
in vain for an explanation of where
the trouble lies in Washington today.
In addition to other prohibition
responsibilities, the inspection Of mince
pie may become necessary.