Last week fire destroyed the landmark mansion of Peggy Cooper Cafritz. Destroyed in the blaze was a priceless collection of highly-valued African-American art, which Mrs. Cafritz was considering giving to a major museum in DC. The blaze might have been put out in minutes, but for lack of water pressure at any of the nearby fire hydrants. Firefighters were thus helpless to prevent a catastrophic loss. Among other gifts, Cafritz also is a founder of the celebrated Duke Ellington School of the Arts. She also once headed the D.C. Board of Education.
What is one to make of this? Put simply, it represents a grotesque combination of stupefying civic incompetence and epic ingratitude: the nation's capital city local government failed to provide basic minimum protective services to one of its grandest ever benefactors. Mrs. Cafritz, to be sure, has too much politesse to personally point this out.
A Washington Post editorial supplies added shockers: the Georgetown Library & Eastern Market in DC, as well as other buildings, have burned down for the same reason. The WP editors ask:
Once again, a Washington landmark lies in ruins. And once again, D.C. residents are justifiably left to wonder whether the city, its agencies and its infrastructure are minimally competent to handle a basic urban function.
Bottom Line. If this is how the city treats one of its most generous citizens, how well can the rest of the citizenry expect to be treated? (Hint: Don't ask.)
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