Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-26
"The Symbol of America. T"

Eu1bneu speakers WHO StOO0 on tne
platform in the auditorium of the Ma
tionsl Chamber of Commerce last night
addressing an audience limited in size
only by the receptive power of its radio
sets. Each of them chose to describe
some phase in the task of building the
American Capital. But all of them EN-.
phasized their conception of Washing
ton as the common property of the
American people, the Nations City or
as President Hoover expressed 1t, 1.-THE
symbol Of America" The lonely keeper
Of lighthouse somewhere of the coast
OF Maine. the farmer in some forgotten
hamlet in Texas. the mountaineer In
the backwoods of Tennessee and the
proud booster Of thriving metropolis
on the West Coast heard something
last night that must have drawn them
closer together-made them feel more
like Americans. The President of the
United States, the Secretary of the
Treasury, Senator, a Representative
and a prominent citizen, speaking as
directors of great corporation to its
stockholders, told them of the new
structures planned here as monument
representing the achievements and sue
cess of their great enterprise.
Introducing President Hoover last
night, Secretary Mellon, the moving
spirit behind this great gathering of
Americans, declared that history was
repeating itself, and he recalled that
meeting of Government officials twenty
i've years ago when the theme of dis
cussion, then as now, was the needs OF
washington and the necessity of de-
veloping the city in accordance with
the plans Of the founders. But there
are those among us here in Washington
who choose to believe that 1t was new
history written last night; that while
there have been many meetings in the
past of stanch advocates of the devel-
opment Of Washington, while there have
been many plans drawn and schemes
laid and brave words uttered, there was
never so fine sentiment, supported by
such practical thought and tangible evil
dence Of progress, as that which marked
last nights meeting. The Development
OF washington as a Nations Capital Is
awakening again, but at the dawn Of a
new era. The rising sun brings into re-
lief rosy and promising horizon.
The speeches last night we're typical
OF those who made them. The Presi-
dents short address placed before his
audience a vision built on statistics and
facts. He declared that Washington is
not only the Nations Capital; 1t is the
symbol Of America. BY its dignity and
architectural inspiration We stimulate
pride in our country, we encourage
that elevation of thought and character
which comes from great architecture. "
At the same time the President pointed
out that agriculture is housed In forty
six different places in the city and the
Treasury In twenty places" Sec
rotary Mellon, with modesty that has
become characteristic, restrained his re-
marks to a brief explanation OF the
meeting. with no allusion to the fact
that he conceived the plan Of bringing
Il about. Senator Smoot and Repre-
sentative Elliott explained those tech
meal aspects of the Washington plar
which. as members OF Congress, they
have done so much 10 forward.
1t was Milton B. Medary, that valua.
bic citizen who has served his Capita
80 well as a member of the Nationa
Capital Park and Planning Commission
who presented a side Of the picture o.
Capital development that is only to'
apt to become lost to sight and burieC
under the press OF more eolorful sub
jecs. The importance Of his remarks
justihes the lengthy quotation which
follows:
It would seem wise for US TO thinl
Of the Washington OF the future as !
was though. of by its founders and II
ali public works or legislation affecting
the city to have in mind the dignit.
and distinction OF its ultimate characte
as a national city distinguished from
the great commercial cities which justl
and fIttinRly express their raison d'etre
each in its own way There should b.
no conflicting national and local in
terests--as the Capitol on the Hill
the Nations Capitol. so the city mus
always be- the Nations City. 1t wa
founded for this purpose and construc
ton nobly begun and its future left II
faith and trust to the successors OF tn
founders Washington is the plac
where it seems 10 me more than any
where else al the men who have love
this country and planned great thing
for It and had visions OF its greatness
and power live today in the life the
have put into it.
The costs Of building and maintain
ing a Nations Capital have been In
subject Of much controversy, and 1t
not my purpose to discuss the merit
of the many suggestions which hav
been offered. but / believe the effeC
upon the character of the Capital OF IN
application Of certain principles de
nnands careful consideration. Washing
ton should not only be the seat Of III
National Government. but should ais
invite as its guests the national organi
zations having 10 do with the arts an
sciences and the cultural and Spiritu:
elements Of life. II the Capital is
become the cultural center OF the Ma
ton. the housing Of such interests RI
Quires the creation and maintenance {
streets and utilities, police and FIRE pre-
lection and many other obligations {
a city government. and II would seel
as If a plan could reasonably be d,
vised by which the national and loo
interests could be definitely segregate
permitting the Capital TO be built {
generously as II may wish Of the lo'
of a whole Nation. without compile;
ton with the finances of the Dis'rir
reafnru,ins the original hope thst Wasl
ntagton should never become compe