Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-25

This letter serves as an
outsiders corroborating COM
mentary on Robert J. Lewis
June 16 column, They're
Big Boys Now" The writer
is q serviceman serving q
tour in this area. In con-
sidering the blasts Of the
current rash Of expose-type
material on Washington Mr..
Lewis mentioned, ! recall the
cities Of the United States
and the world which I have
seen in IA years Of military
travels.
These include New York
City, Chicago, San Fran
cisco, Los Angeles, Kansas
City, Atlanta. Birmingham,
Memphis, Phoenix and San
Diego, among many in the
United States. Outside the
continental limits, l have
visited and seen such cities
as London. Berlin, Munich,
Amsterdam, Brussels, Tokyo,
Seoul and Honolulu. Thus,
as is often the case with
military men or world trav-
elers, / possess the calloused
eye Of one who has been able
to compare.
since my arrival IN the
Nations Capital, I have
made several excursions
around the city, AL on foot.
These tours have taken me
to the prominent showplaces
such as the White House,
Capitol, Smithsonian Insti-
tute, National Art Gallery.
Washington Monument, and
the Lincoln and jefferson
Memorials. These alone have
left me with an impressive
awe rs / witnessed the ex-
hibits Of nearly two CEN
turtles of history in the
making.
But the walks did not stop
only at the top spots. Rath-
er, I have strolled the back
streets, seeking the pulse and
tempo Of the city itself. Such
things as ball games in the
park on Sunday afternoon,
the teams cheered on BY
friends and mere onlookers
who SAVIOR youngsters IN
competition. Or q stroll
along q shaded sidewalk In
front lof scores Of apartment
houses. Youngsters playing
the kids games, housewives
chatting about the tasks OF
raising a family. husbands
discussing the effect Of the
Senator'S latest loss.
Along these byways. ! saw
less slums and poor condi-
tons than in any other city,
with the possible exception
Of San Diego. since that city
has its slums 10 miles away
in Tiajuana. Most impress
sive was the active building.
painting and reconstruction
work on dwellings, both pri-
vate and business. And. ex-
cept for a few empty lots,
the lack Of litter and trash
along these areas is indeed
indicative Of people who are
interested in their city and
Its appearance.
Looking at the city from
another angle. / studied The
Stars issue in which the
Lewis column appeared.
What a story is toldl For
there In the mirror that re-
fleets a city's actions, hopes
and desires we're countless
headlines and items that
told Of many men or groups
helping others. In the arts.
In living problems. in equal
ity matters, In political
spheres, In every avenue Of
life. countless stories Shout
ed but one theme-progress
through cooperative actions
OF the individual.
That the city has prob
lens cannot be denied, nor
should II be hidden. And,
as each Of us realizes, each
day Of life brings problems
and challenges. For man,
recognition Of his shortcom-
ings is the initial step TO
solution. Washingtonians
have made this step, In my
opinion.
Let the expose author
widen his lens and focus on
the city In It's entirety. !
have only scratched the sur
face, but the scratch did not
produce CRIME and usliness,
but rather an indication Of
beauty and progress with
more TO come.
l.feq, Clay Lacy.