Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-02
the outset, 1t is the necessity for concerted
action. unity and harmony of purpose in
some one citizens association.

! the outset it is the necessity for concerted
action unity and harmony of purpose in
! some one citizens association.
! Central Organization Favored.
I'm a word, the formation of central
committee. made up of delegates from the
various citizens associations. would APP
| pear to be most desirable as means OF
| representing our interests before Congress
| as united body, rather than as a conflict
| ing and sometimes chaotic set of factions.
| 1.-The Business Mems Association is not
alone in its advocacy of this central or
| ganization, all the other influential bodies
| having given this idea cordial and loyal
| support.
LAS an evidence of conflicting ideas, some
| based upon selfishness, some upon lack or
| comprehension of the real needs of the city,
| it is only necessary to refer to the hearings
before the last Congress upon the proposed
| cross-town railroad, where there appeared
| to be decided sentiment in favor of this
public utility but lack of specialization
| of opinion in its eSpousal.
IF there is one thing the city absolutely
needs it is a cross-town road. The asso-
| citation advocates no particular street. put
| is willing to abide by the wishes of con-
| gress and the will of the Commissioners as
to the line upon which it's tracks may De
| laid Members of the association and citl-
| zens generally should address themselves
| thoughtfully and intellgently to the con-
sideration of this much-needed public I'M
| proyement.
Coming Queen City.
washington, the nations capital, must
be the queen city of the world. but she
never can be until the lines of architec-
tural beauty and harmony are strictly OBJ
served. This association has recommended
and should continue vigorously to urge the
appointment of a thoroughly unbiased art
commission, whose duty it should be to see
that public buildings, monuments statues.
ETC., are placed with a strict conformity 10
the demands of architectural grace beauty
and design Such commissions are In force
in Paris Berlin and other cities of CONT
mental Europe. They exist in various Amer
lean cities today, and If Washington is 10
hold rank in point OF beauty with THESE
capitals it can only be through the advice
and guidance of a permanent art comniiS-
son and not through the misguided sugges.
lions of self-appointed art judges am
critics
..The present discussion regarding the
inaugural ball and building suitable TO
accommodate the throng that will attend
that function should suggest to all the
urgency of the Immediate erection OF con-
yention hall. Such a structure would OBJ
viate the necessity for the use of the pubic
buildings and would fill a long-felt want.
The removal of the steel work of the gov
eminent building from the ST. Louis expcsi-
ton to Washington to be here erected lnso
a great convention hall, is highly commahd-
able and should be adopted.
1.-The District of Columbia has approx
mately population of 100000. 1t has over
grown the limits of small town and IS
rapidly becoming a great and magnificent
CITY, Its suburbs are rapidly growing, and
many and beautiful improvements are now
under way and in contemplation.
1.-THE equipment of the schools is unsur-
passed. but the pay Is not commensurate
with the needs and abilities of the teachers.
The police department and fire department |
are manned by efficient and courageous men |
and differed by tried, trustworthy and eX-
perienced officials. Increased pay for teach-
ers, for police and for firemen should be one
of the aims for which this association |
should strive. |
Local Men for Local Ifices.
"And there is another theme to which the |
association should vigorously address itself |
local offices for local men.
How better can state the question than |
to quote from The Evening Star of Novem-
Der % last:
Years ago the recorder of deeds, pure
ly local official, was a Washingtonian, Sc
lected after consultation with Washlns
tonians; now the Office has been eliminated
entirely from the list of local concerns ana
has been lowered into a polltlcai pa!tisdh
reward for services rendered by politiclans
in the states And SO on through the !lst,
with this one assigned to western mem
Der and that one to an eastern senator, the
District by a precarious tenure, retaining
only the Commissionerships, in respect 10
which the law furnishes specific protection
"And so on through the list al lnnnl'uin.
Washington, which pays more than lts lasS
share of taxes, with It's large popuiatioh
and increasing Importance, is totally us
regarded when the distribution of offices is
considered
ITO quote again from the same paper:
"In proportion as the District has IN
creased in population and resources, In
physical and Intellectual development: until
1t exceeds one or two OF the STATES IN the
same proportion 1t seems to nave grown
on1
tity it's claims to consideration and hear
ing in respect to it's affairs have been more
and more contemptuously ignored, and local
Offices, about appointments to which even
the territories are consulted, and to which
on every principle of equity the local COM
munity is entitled, have been by species
of highway robbery seized, appropriated
and converted to partisan uses by national
politicians or have been tossed to personal
favorites in qualification of the whims of
the appointing power. Both the national
American state of 100000 people shall not |
enjoy the self-government privileges of
state of the Union. But no administration
of the District affairs on national lines is
WISE just or defensible which does not take
into account its peculiar unrepresented con-
dition, and which does not seek to ascer-
tain by indirect means, and to enforce that
public sentiment concerning its officials and
government which in the ordinary Amer
lean community is expressed at the polls
Endorsed by Other Papers.
This, the sentiment of one of our leading
newspapers has been even more strongly
expressed by those two splendid opponents
of the peoples rights in our magnificent
city-the Post and the Times. These news
papers, standing for all that is best in the
literary life of the capital, stand for still
more-a larger Washington, a more beauti-
full Washington governed by the citizens of
Washington, for the greater glory of the
nation
Zone word more in closing. The Business
Mems Association has a past of which it |
may well be proud; it has future only in
the cooperation of its individual mem
bers. The suggestion that its influence may |
be broadened and its membership CORE
spondingly stimulated by the assumption of
a home in the heart of the city, is a good
one, and commend it to the association
A building should be selected that would |
give ample space for meeting purposes,
congenial ground for affilation with the
members of other organiza lions and a most |