Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-07
col. COLEMAN GATTIS sEAB0ARD LINE

the country than ever before And this
desire to increase its trade Is but a natural
consequence. 1t is the result of condition.
1t is a demand that exists and must be
gratified. And In the course of all my ex-
the District of Columbia which The Star
has not sought to crafty
1T has stood boldly and prominently for
fair treatment by Congress- of a proper
equalization of the burden OF taxation 1t
has stood for home rule and for many other
striking features to which could allude.
which are all creditable to 1t as a news
paper representing the people.
This is but an initiative step, and It
must be kept up. To lag now would be a
discredft. The question Is, how can this
work be effectively conducted? I have al
ways contended that there did not exist a
necessity In Washington for two organiza-
lions, the Business Men and the Board of
Trade. both seeking to accomplish the same
results. Yet 1 have given them my sup
port and have done what 1 could to assist
them. Now we have three. 1 believe this
to be a mistake. In my opinion, what we
need. what we ought to have and what
we must have, is an amalgamation of these
organizations, and the establishment of
one strong organization composed Of the
membership of all three. This would unite
IL
ed effort and. without falling burden upon
any one, it would provide ample funds to
do that which not only should be done,
but must be done, in behalf Of our city.
"I would like to see, also, after this
amalgamation has been secured, what
might be known as Citizens Association
committee Of the new organization. COM
posed of the presidents of all the different
citizens associations of the District of
Columbia. BY this means the organized
effort of the people Of the entire District
could be secured. Concerted effort is abso-
lutely necessary, and this has been lacking
Various Important Topics.
ut may not be generally known, but as
go about the city and converse with men
standing high in the business sphere of
life, prominent and influential, and converse
with them upon various important topics,
find that the great majority Of them
will say that this or that ought to be
done. Yet there does not exist, and there
has not existed. united effort to secure
it. This new organization will correct that
condition of affairs, and that which ought
to be done, and all good citizens agree
should be done, will be done in behalf of
Washington, the beautiful capital city of
our country. Under these conditions it
will not be long before Washington is
greatly augmented in population. and not
only the pride of our own people, but the
admiration of the world"
That's what Mr.. Shoemaker thinks of The
Stars special and the effect it will have
on the general scheme of things back in
Washington. That's the way day or so
with this Greater Washington special makes
folks feel, and that's the reason why 1
wish every one of you back in Washington
could spend some time with us aboard the
Rainbow.
l mentioned somewhere above that Mr.
Clum, assistant secretary Of the Jobbers
and Shippers Association, had made an
official report to Mr.. Luchs of the asso-
citation on the amount of actual business
done. This was contained in a general
resume of conditions as viewed from the
standpoint of the association In his let
ter to Mr. Luchs Mr.. Clum says:
ON BOARD THE GREATER WASHING
TON SPECIAL.
ROANOKE. Va. October 5.
My Dear Mr.. Luchs:
From Washington, through Virginia and
North Carolina, and now back in Virginia,
we are still meeting with cordial receptions
from southern merchants, and are still be-
ing encouraged by them to follow up the
advantages we are gaining through this
Greater Washington Special tour of adver-
Using. When 1 left home it was in the
hope that the merchants of the south
would tell me why they were not buying in
Washington, and what reasons if any,
could be advanced for patroniizng other job
bling centers. In other words, l was look
ing for knocks and counted on learning
much through adverse criticism. 1 have
been disappointed. l have searched the
highways and the hedges; have interviewed
merchants of all classes and previous con-
ditions of servitude; have begged them to
find fault with Washington as a CONNER
cial possiblity-alf to no avail. The only
reply in the way of criticism that 1 nave
been able to entice from these merchants
is embodied in that poignant and all i'm