Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-19
UNITY OF ACTION URGED
ADDRESS BY MR.. MCFARLAND BE-
FORE BUSINESS MEN.
The Conn issiOner COunse1s Appeal to
Observation-Disclosures of Penalties.

an address by Mr.. H. B. F. Macfarland,
president of the board of District Commits
sioners. During the delivery of his re-
marks the speaker was frequently inter-
rupted by applause, and when he had con-
cluded he was rendered the thanks of the
association by a unanimous vote.
Mr.. Mcfarland spoke as follows:
"On the Sd of December next the last
session of the Fifty-sixth Congress will
begin and it will end on the Sd of March.
In those three months, out of which fort
night of Christmas-New Year holiday will
be taken, Congress must do whatever 1t
does do for the District of Columbia for
the fiscal year ending July 1, 1902. All the
legislation-ar the appropriations-that we
want for the immediate future must be
obtained, if at ALL from an outgoing Con-
gress in its short session. The difficulties
of legislation are greatly increased by the
shortness of time and the certainty of final
adjournment on a day known from the be-
ginning They make it comparatively easy
for skillful and determined opponents to
defeat any measure which has not over
whelming strength behind it. The Wis in
ertia, the unwillingness to take up new
and perplexing problems the Indifference
to anything but routine business must be
extricate one out of the hundreds of meas
ures damned in the congressional stream
and to try to float it safely through.
Unity of Action.
ut ought to be evident to every sagacious
citizen that the only way in which we of
the District of Columbia can secure what
We need, to say nothing of what we want
for the District from Congress at the COM
ing session, is by united action If we agree
in our requests we shall certainly get
great deal more than if we disagree. Prac-
teal wisdom, as we'll as patriotic senti-
ment, dictates harmonious and concerted
off ri a
go up there with divided counsels, and 50
with divided efforts, we shall lose by it
and without any other consolation than
that the selfish men who prevent harmony
will suffer with the rest.
Now that the Commissioners are pre-
pairing tie estimates of needed appropria-
lions and planning their annual report,
they are being urged daily to include things
of more less Importance in their recon-
mendations. Some suggestions are made
for the improvement of the whole District,
some for the Improvement of this or that
section of It, some for the improvement of
q particular piece of private property. The
Commissioners having, like their predeces-
sors, the interests of the whole District at
heart, and knowing the practical limita-
lions Of the situation, can only respond
that they will do the best they can for all
and therefore for each. They must be
credited with desire as least as strong as
that of any one else in the District of Co
lumbia to advance its interests as much
rs possible, LOT IL Is obviously lLelI Inter-
est to do So
ut is evident, however, that the Commits
sioners, the official spokesman of the Dis
trict at the Capitol, will accomplish results
there in proportion to the support which
they receive from the community. If they
could have the hearty and complete COOP
Grafton of all the representative men of the
District and have 1t all the time, they
would be able to achieve what Is otherwise
impossible. This would mean that the COM
munity would entrust the Commissioners,
as the representatives of the whole District,
acquainted with the needs of all quarters
and with the possibilities of supplying those
needs at the Capitol, with the selection Of
the requests to be particularly pressed at
the coming session. and that they would
not be hampered and perhaps defeated by
conflicting requests from organizations or
individuals. Is it too much to expect that
there shall be such a display of common
sense and public spirit in this community?
1. for one. proud of this great capital in Its
centennial year. believe that 1t can and will
take just this wise and patriotic position If
it does stand solidly and sincerely behnd it's
Commissioners In their recommendations to
Congress, pos.tponing all other measures to
some future day, 1t will be richly repaid in
the response of Congress.
Congress Favorable.
Congress, sharing the great and increas-
ing pride Of all its constituents in their ma
tional capital, is more and more disposed to
meet its needs generously and would have
done much more for it in recent years if
the capital had spoken in one clear petition
instead of with confused and confusing
voices.
I'VE can all agree on the requests that
ought to be made for the general good. We
all want to see the normal extension of all
the good work which has been done in max
ing the District the most beautiful and at
tractiye capital in the world. We all want
to see the park system perfected our good
6yVa 1n6 hoo ffa1
and kept C IAN and we'll lighted We want
our police nd fire protection increased by
increasing tie number of policeman and fire.
men and of modern houses and appliances.
We want the sanitary conditions of the city
improved with a better water supply and
the better disposal Of our sewage. We want
adequate provision for our public library.
We want all that is needed for the better
ment of our schools and our public chart
ties. We want railway grade crossings abol-
ished. We want municipal building worthy
Of the capital of the nation and a police
court building that would not be disgrace
to it. We want the memorial bridge Here
to go no farther are objects enough for our
common effort this winter Let us unite to
attain them. II wedo we shall succeed.
If we do not we shall fail.
Il am confident that this organization
will throw its influence in the city and at
the Capitol in favor Of that union which is
essential to our success"
The secretary real a letter from Mr. b
H. Warner, who had been invited to attend
the meeting, regretting his inability to be
present, and stating that he was quite sure
the vigorous and united efforts the associa-
ton was making for the good of the Dis
trict will accomplish most beneficial results
There are, Mr.. Warner continued 50 many
public needs which have heretofore been
unrecognzed by Congress that unusual eff
forts will be called for at the approaching
session. When the shock and embarrass-
ment which always precede national cam
paign shall have passed away, the mem
beers of both parties will, he predicted be
more willing to show their appreciation of
the demands of the capital of the nation.
Report ON Taxation.
Mr.. Thomas G. Hensey of the committee
on taxation made a report of what had
been done by that committee, both before
the District Commissioners and the appro-
pirate committees of Congress, in urging
the Importance of the passage of a law
that will reduce the penalty for delinquent
taxes in the District, and he expressed the
opinion that the Commissioners will make
such a recommendation to the law-making
body.
Mr.. L. NJ. Saunders told about hearing
on the subject before the Commissioners
Tuesday.
Mr. M Dyrenforth of the special COM
mittee which was appointed some months
ago to confer with Mr.. o. B. Crosby, rep