Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-01-10
FAVOR CENTRAL BODY
Representatives of Citizens Associa-
tions Hold Conference.
PRESIDED over BY Mr.. 7. ", SMITH
Unanimous Sentiment in Favor of
Cooperative Effort.
REVIEW OF INTER S r S

REVIEW OF TERES r
A meeting of the presidents of the va
rious citizens associations of the District,
called to meet last evening at Cooperative
building. was attended by six out of the
seventeen organizations in the District.
Communications were received from the
presidents of four others announcing in
ability to be present, but expressing hearty
accord in the proposed movement.
The Georgetown Citizens Association,
under whose auspices the meeting was
called, was represented by President B. T.
Janney, Dr.. W. d. Keene and Mr.. George
W. King. The Board of Trade and the
East Washington Citizens Association was
represented by President Thomas w.
Smith: the Citizens Northwest Suburban
Association, by President Charles c. Lam
caster; the Brookland Citizens Association
by President John McPhaul, and the
Northeast Citizens Association, by Presi-
dent Evan H. Tucker. Letters were re-
ceived from Charles s. Bundy, vice presi-
dent and acting president OF the Columbia
Heights Citizens Association; the Takoma
Park Citizens Association: l.. P. Shoe
maker. president of the Brightwood Cit
liens AsSociat ton. and William G. Hender
son, president of the North Capitol and
lexington Citizens Association.
The meeting was called TO order by Prof.
Janney, and. upon motion, Mr.. Smith took
the chair and presided. AS the meeting
was held simply to discuss matters and ar
range, if possible, for the formation of a
central body, in which all of the local as
sociatiOns may have representation, the
chairman called for the views of those
present upon the matter. and 1t was the
unanimous opinion that a central body
should be formed, but no definite conclu-
sion was reached as TO how to accomplish
this.
United Association Favored.
Mr.. Lancaster spoke in favor of united
citizens association, which would look af
ter matters of general interest to the Dis
trict- According to his statement, about
nine-tenths of the taxpayers of the Dis
trict are represented by membership in the
associations. How TO centralize and har-
moniZe the different associations was the
main question In his opinion the United
Association should be composed of the
presidents and secretaries of the several
organizations They were necessarily OBJ
liged, on account of their positions, to pay
some attention to District affairs, whereas
If delegates We're elected. the chances
would be that people would be chosen who
unacquainted with the affairs of the
municipality and a harmonious central
body would not therefore result
Congress, he said, recognized the power
of the people, and would be bound to pay
some attention to them. A united Organi-
ZdiiOn LOT t0e common SOOU could not pos
si5ly fail to accomplish good, and in view
of the present condition of affairs. with a
deficit of over S16O0,000 on hand, some
thing ought to be done In his opinion
Congress ought to be made to live up to
the compact of 1873, and he cited a num-
Der of instances to show failure to OBJ
serve the terms of this agreement. no.
tably in the matter of street extensions.
While he had urged the bond issue some
time ago. Mr.. Lancaster did not think it
would be authorized In view of the pres
emit surplus in the treasury. he did not
think Congress would sanction an issue of
bonds upon which interest would have to
be paid. 1t was stated that Congress had
taken sufficient money from the revenues
of the District. which. if paid back dollar
for dollar, would result in a fund Of about
$4,000, 600. which would more than place
the District on a sound financial basis
Refers to Past Triumph.
Mr. George w King called attention to
the good accomplished by the joint citizens
executive committee in 1894, when the De
Almond bill for the repeal of the 80 per
cent clause IN the law of rs was pigeon
holed- He showed valuable statistics re-
lating to the District government, compiled
at the time named by Mr.. Birney and Mr..
Spear, and he suggested that a similar pub
LEGATION be made now, with such additional
information as may have come to light, and
gTess, thus acquainting the legislative body
with valuable information relative TO the
District.
Mr. McPhaul whose association hal
called a meeting for this evening to con-
slider the same situation. presented his
views. He was in favor of something to
relieve the present condition of affairs. II
bond issue does not meet the approval of
majority, then loan from the general
government would be acceptable. Improve
ments were needed, and from present
prospects less work would be done in the
next fiscal year than in the present. Many
needed Improvements, recognized by the
Commissioners, were held up, because there
were no funds available or prospect Of
getting them.
Mr.. Tucker gave a review of the efforts
for a central body. The first was the COM
mittee of 100. originating with his organ
ization, which. he thought, did a vast
amount of good. Following this, the joint
executive committee of 1894 came into ex-
istence, and after it accomplished it's pur-
pose 1t died of its own weight. Then there
was the central citizens committee, which
started out well and died. and an attempt
at resurrection was made last year, which
accomplished nothing. He was in favor of
central body
Does Not Favor Loan.
The situation which confronts the Dis
trict, he thought, should be taken hold Of
There should be no Dan, and he did not
think the personal tax bill would pass BY
getting new board of assistant assessors
the remedy would be found. II Congress
should provide for an investigation of the
methods of assessment the whole trouble
would be disclosed, he thought.
Mr.. Smith, in presenting his views. said
he was In favor OF an organization which
would look after the interests Of every
man. woman and child in the District Call
the organization by any name, a board of
aldermen, common council or something
else, It ought TO be created. The members
could be elected by the different citizens
associations and hold regular meetings
regulating the District improvements and
materially assisting the Commissioners in
their work.
Mr.. Smith said he did not desire any
change in the present form Of government
OF the District. 1t was good enough. lie
would, however. restrict the membership
of the central body by the number of tax