Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-08
TAlKSAbOUT DISTRICT
Chairman Smiths Address to
Georgetown Citizens.
SOME THINGS NOT NEEDED
Telephone Competition One Of Them,
He Declares.
PRAISE FOR COMMISSIONERS
Honest, Upright Men, Whatever
Happens, he Declares-suffrage
Meeting Invitation Laid Over.
PRAISE FOR COMMISSIONERS

Whatever may be in the future for the
District OF Columbia and its affairs" said
Samuel w. Smith of Michigan. chairman
Of the District committee of the House,
last night in a speech before the George
assured, as I do. that the Commissioners
honest. conscientious and upright citizens
and loyalty devoted to the best interests
of the people Of the community
This tribute to the Commissioners came
during a portion of Mr.. Smiths speech.
in which he referred to the question of
suffrage for the District of Columbia. The
speaker did not commit himself upon the
suffrage question nor the one-man-rule
idea. but confined his remarks strictly to
reviewing the history of the District Of
Columbia from the time of it's organiza-
ton in 1903 up to the present date and the
various changes Of government. He stated
both questions were by no means new,
"for every one knows they have been agi-
tated and put to the front time and again,
and it's nothing new to you citizens"
The chairman Of the House committee
was the guest of honor at the regular
monthly meeting of the association. he'd
in Linthicum Hail. near the corner of o
street and Wisconsin avenue. He deliv-
cred what was characterized by the men,
bers of the association as regular
"heart-to-heart talk on things in gem
eral affecting Washington and the Dis
trict.
Committee Work Reviewed.
He reviewed his connection with Con-
gress and his association with the Dis
trict committee. up until the time when
he was made its chairman. The first
very important work the committee last
year took up. the speaker said was the
street car connection with the Union sta
ton. which dragged on for weeks and
weeks before definite program Of action
was settled upon, and finally the proper
legislation was enacted which fulfilled the
desires and demands of the people.
Another matter of Importance which
the prohibition question. Mr.. Smith re-
viewed what he termed the ''vicissitudes'
of the committee during the hearings up
on that subject.
And what was accomplished" he said.
you people of the District know and
can judge for yourselves"
Mr.. Smith also referred to the gas qves-
ton, and announced his disapproval of
permitting a second telephone company to
enter the city.
of the committee relative to the price Of
gas last year that We had the services of
two of the best known gas experts in the
country, and what was done was the
direct result of their investigation and
conferences with the committee. That
these men were fair and honest there can
be no question. and the committee relied
implicitly upon them.
No Use for Gas Himself.
''As for myself. if 1 may become
little personal. 1 have never owned stock
or an interest in any gas company. and
know nothing about 1t, except through
conferences with the two experts here
last session. The fact of the matter is,
/ never even burned gas in my own home.
We went from coal oil to electric lights
out there.
Now, to competing telephone
company here, ] am against it, People
say it's a great thing to have competition.
Well. maybe It is, my friends. but IL you
want to know what two telephone COM
panies mean in community get In one
which has two and you'll soon find out.
I've had experience and l know what I'm
talking about.
"If there's fault with the telephone
rates. there is a remedy in legislation,
and I'm not sufficiently acquainted with
this phase of the subject to express an
opinion just now"
In concluding his address Mr.. Smith
told his listeners that at all times he
would be pleased to confer with the
citizens upon any pending legislation
relative to the District.
I'VE are anxious to know your wishes
and needs he said, mot only myself.
but I speak for the entire committee. as
am confident they have at all times the
best interests of the District at heart"
After the address of Mr.. Smith. the
routine business of the association was
taken up and disposed OF. Upon the mo-
ton Of 7. Y. Worthington two meetings
Of the association will be held each
Congress lasts. The motion was passed
unanimously, because of the fact that the
same thing was tried last year and was
pronounced a complete success in that 1t
kept the members Of the association in
close touch with the various committees
and the work they were undertaking. The
meetings are scheduled for the first and
third Monday OF every month.
Suffrage Invitation Goes Over.
A letter from the Brightwood Citizens
Association. inviting the Georgetown AS
ISOLATION to participate in formulating
some plan for a change in the District
government was read by the secretary.
The matter was held over to the next
meeting for formal action. A motion com
mending the authorities for inserting in
the District estimates an item OF $4,000
for addition TO the Western High
School was introduced by A. r. Paris and
passed.
J. III. Doyle, chairman Of the CONNER.
c!al interests committee, reported that
tentative plans were under consideration
for the Improvement OF the river front, the
clearing Of the river channel. and direct
street connection with the Wisconsin ave-
nue. suburbs. The plans Of the committee.
1t was stated, will take definite form in