Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-07
by DONALD A. CRAIG,
ARTICLE FIVE.

Is inspiring, not only TO Americans,
but to foreigners who have dwelt
here long enough to have become i'm.
bued with the meaning and spirit
Of America.
Before their eyes the attractive.
ness OF the city has been increasing
from year to year. They see it
delightful capital in the world. They
envisage it a few years hence as the
center Of world culture and interna-
tional affairs in all respects-thc
pride OF the Western Hemisphere and
the chief attraction for the enlight-
ened people Of all nations, occupying
place in the modern world such as
Athens and Rome occupied in the
ancient world.
This picture does not seem to be
overdrawn to those who examine the
present. studying the destiny OF the
Nation and probing deeply the senti-
ment Of the American people for their
Capital City.
There is evidence that eminently
practical men do not believe the pre-.
dicted greatness Of Washington is
all a poets dream. 1t Is found in
the readiness with which hard-headed
business men and cautious financiers
are bringing or sending their money
here for investment. The magnificent
embassy buildings erected here by
foreign governments. the national
churches. universities and other ma.
tional and international structures or
many kinds which are being erected
or projected for the city, in addition
to the many already here. are every.
where regarded as further evidence.
II any is needed, Of the belief in this
and other nations in the future great
ness Of the American Capital.
Still. It is not forgotten by those
who are familiar with the unique pc.
sition Of Washington with relation
to the National Government that the
nature and the rate Of progress here
depend upon the way In which Con-
gress interprets and translates into
action the will OF the people OF the
city and the Nation. Already one OF
the most delightful cities in the
world, Washington has far to go be-
fore It attains the position which the
future holds out to 1t.
Washington alone cannot lift itself
to th@ place 1t is destined to fill. AS
a Federal district. with its people
through all the years of its existence
derived even of the right of repre-
SeHIdlIOn III N%OtEIGSS, NINl GASt~AssNo
exclusive jurisdiction over them. the
National Capital is dependent both for
It's material welfare and its cultural
progress upon the Federal Govern
ment.
That is one reason why the new
Federal building program. which au.
tkorizes an expenditure in the next
few years Of $50, 000, 900 for new Gov
eminent buildings to house great Fed.
eral departments. Is so encouraging
to the residents OF the District. They
regard 1t as a concrete indication that
Congress is beginning in some meas
ure to throw Off that lethargy which
has long characterized it's dealings
with the Capital City. Moreover. an
additional appropriation of $25.00o.o0O
for the purchase OF the great triangle
between Pennsylvania avenue and the
Mail. to provide suitable sites for
more new Federal buildings, seems TO
be virtually assured at this session OK
Congress
See Encouraging Sign
Trade and citizens organizations
and the great body of unorSanizei
residents of Washington see another
encouraging sign In the renewed IN
terest which Congress is taking This
Winter in the proposal TO amend the
Federal Constitution SO that Congress
may grant to the people OF the Dis
trict representation II that body and
In the electoral college. Washingto'
mans have been especially encouraged
By the recent movement In the Ma.
tional Council OF State Legislatures In
favor OF this amendment This Is re-
garded as striking evidence OF the
"a - III mt al "a
In its Capital City.
That Congress should be prepared
to spend many more millions of dollars
within a comparatively few years 10
take advantage of the tremendous OPP
portunity to make Washington the
worlds most beautiful and cultured
city is the firm conviction Of Senator
Arthur Capper Of Kansas. chairman
OF the Senate committee or the Dis
trict Of Columbia. Senator capper Is
enthusiastic concerning the present
attractiveness OF the city. but he Ia
not blind to it's present defects. which.
however, he thinks can be quickly
overcome with the aid OF Congress-.
He has given to The Star an exclu.
sivs statement of his views In respect
to the future OF Washington and the
duty of Congress In enabling the city
to fulfll It's destiny.
1.-The District of Columbia, seat OF
the Federal Government. In beautiful
and entirely worthy Of tho world .
greatest nation In many respects"
aaid Senator Capper. "in others II Is
not at all representative Of the mate.
rial and cultural attachments OF
America.
wv have in Washington some Of
the most beautiful public buildings.
residential districts and public high.
ways to be found In the entire world.
We have here city which. from the
standpoing Of natural environment
and topography. liz easily capable OF
development into the worlds most
beautiful metropolis. And within the
past few years Washington has made
substantial progress toward that goal.
We have, for instance. after an nn.
necessary delay OF many. many years.
begun actual development and beauti'
fication OF the Mall between the White
House and the Capitol. That work
will not only vastly improve one Of
the principal parts Of the city but
will at last afford suitable modern
qua rters for ths performance OF the
work OF the Federal Government.
Flaming Commission.
Recently we have created Ma
tionaI Capital Park and Planning Com
mission. authorized To work with con
iinuity and unity. heretofore lacking,
for the comprehensive development
and Identification Of the Nations
Capital and It's environs.
I'VE have erected In Washington IN
recent years some intellectually no
table structures. both public and pri.
waite, which give vital proof OF the
progress Of our civilization.
nut Washington still falls far short
Of ranking as one Of the most beauti,
ful. progressive. advanced cities IN
the world The truth IL that there
are vast yistas Of sheer uginess Ia
Washington. We have here ia city
which. taken IN tts entirety, is In no
sense u hitting symbol Ut the material,
mental ana cultural resources Ut
America,