Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-28
TAKES OPPOSITE VIEW
MAI. F. s. HoDGsoN TALKS OF
LOCAL INDUSTRIES.


man interested in the welfare of the capi-
tai city and also prominent In local mill
tary circles after reading the arguments
of James NJ. Wood in favor of the estab-
lishment of factories in this city, published
In last Sundays Star, is of the opinion that
Mr. Woods statements tend to rather
proposition" To support his stand Maj.
Hodgson says:
For instance, Mr. Wood proposes to
amend the smoke law by abolishing its APP
plication in localities beyond the fire limits,
proceeding that would serve as a wedge
to force leniency in other and more i'm
portant localities. He points out that pro-
fessfonal men would have more clients and
patients. Additional sick for the doctor to
attend and a larger number of clients for
the lawyer to defend are not reasons in
favor of factories coming here. Mr.. Wood
refers to higher prices for produces adj
vanced rates for household commodities
would benefit the few to the detriment OF
the many
a great commercial center does not please
Maj. Hodgson.
Building Operations.
During the last decade, he said in an
interview with a Star reporter yesterday,
in greater ratio than ever before. I'm
mense fats, great apartment houses and
row after row of dwellings attest to the
phenomenal growth of the city. Thou
sands of our own citizens do not realize
the magnitude of the building operations
and property transfers now being effected.
The character of houses built evidence the
fact that our city is growing in quality as
well as quantity. Officials upon whom de-
volve the enactment of laws governing the
progress and development of the nation S
capital should insist that commercial en-
terprises should not conflict with the lines
of procedure which have made Washing
ton the most beautiful city in the world
and an ideal place of residence.
Those who have discussed the PROPOSE
ton to establish manufactures In the Dis
trict OF Columbia have failed to submit
opinions as to the effect sociologically, on
the community interested. With the advent
of the factory would come class of peo-
pie in personnel different from the work
ing element of Washington. The writer
has visited nearly all the large manufacture
ing cities of the country, and has noted
the superiority in appearance and deport-
ment of the Washington workingmen over
a similar element of the manufacturing dis
tricts. There is a difference in manner and
dress of the working girl of the capital
city and like qualities of the working girl
of factory towns. The young working ele-
ment of our city are the sons and daughters
OF WGlI-pd1U laDOrerS, mechanics ana CleThS,
and do not have to apply the most of their
salaries to assist in taking care of large
families. Consequently the young working
people of Washington are enabled to use
part of their pay to promote health and
happiness.
"In manufa curing cities children are
compelled to give up school at a very early
age and seek employment, owing to the
small pay received by their parents; disad-
vantages which account for their unfavor-
working
people of the District of Columbia.
Praise for Washington High School.
Search the world over and there cannot
be found graduates from like institutions
equal to the educational product of the
Washington high school. The boys from
our schools, it is claimed could find en-
ployment in the proposed factories. Most
of the work of the manufactures in ques-
ton would be for ignorant laborers or un-
educated mechanics A limited number OF
clerks would be required. Members of
Congress already experience great difficulty
in placing their constituents in office;
would not congressional influence be ap-
piled to manufacturing industries here in
an effort to find employment for faithful
political supporters?
1.-The locating here of factories would
bring additional workmen and their fami-
lies, thereby increasing the number of eligi-
bles for employment in store, workshop and
office. Accustomed to economical living
the new arrivals could work for less pay
than is now received by the local en-
ployes. Such a condition would add to the
number of applicants for work without in
creasing the means of employment, thereby
adding to the number of unemployed of ouI
city.
''The population of the nations capital
should increase gradually and in the degree
necessary to supply each individual with
reciprocal wants. Washington is an edu-
cational center and the character of its peo-
pie should harmonic with their environ
ment Manufacturing industries in the Dis
trict of Columbia would be an incentive for
large numbers of unemployed to seek work
in our city. Scarcely day passes with
out number of men who claim to be in
search of work being arrested while en-
terfng Washington. These unfortunates
are either sent down or ordered to leave
town. The advertisement of New
Washington with Manufactures would
cause an influx of men seeking work that
would create a condition necessitating an
increase in the public force, with a proper
Tomato increase Of duty.
In Case of Strikes.
"a huge manufacturing plant in this To-
cality would place here a link in the chain
which binds the laboring men in case OF
strikes. During the great strike of 1871
disorder SO pronounced in every manu-
featuring city that the authorities could not
control the situation. For many days dur
ing the month of July Pittsburg was in
the possession of an ungovernable mob. A
similar condition prevailed at Scranton
Reading, Cincinnati, st. Louis, Chicago and
other manufacturing cities, In Baltimore
the 9TH and 9th Regiments were ordered
out. The 18th, though assailed by an angry
mob preserved its forma ton and marched
to its destination with many men wounded
by missiles. The 9th left dts armory amid
a shower of stones, hurled by strike sym
pathizers, and attempted to march to the
depot The men became confused and de-
moralfzed and began TO fire. Company af-
ter company abandoned the column, until
the entire regiment scattered and finally
disbanded never to reassemble.
During the strike period attended by loss
of life and destruction of property in other
cities Washington remained serene and
tranquil. Do we want a Pittsburg in
dustry transplanted in our city, with the
attendant danger of strikes?
"a strike Is not particular when 1t comes
and might arrive on the eve of Inaugural
ton day. Washington Is the convention
city of the country, and those in authority
should not permit conditions to be created
which are liable to prevent the assembling
Of representative bodies within its borders