The Washington times., 1908-12-15
DEVOTE THEIR TINE
TO PLAYING TRUST
Northeast Citizens ASSocia.
ton Had Not Heard of
Passage of Bill.

The Northeast Citizens Association
had not heard OF the passage by the
House yesterday Of a bin reducing the
price Of gas to S. cents and devoted
much of its time at It's regular meeting
to fiaying the Gas trust This was pre-
eipitated by the discussion of change
in the method Of government in the
District, to which the association is op-
posed. and which has occupied the at
rentiOn of many of the local citizens
associations during the past few
months.
The gas company and its officers were
roundly scored for their administration
and to their account was laid the re-
sponsibility for the agitation concerning
= change in the form of local govern
ment-
S. Sowerbutts, secretary Of the asso-
cistion, was one of the leading figures
in the srilling given the gas company.
He did not shrink from personalities
but came out in plain English and de-
clared the reason for the agitation
against the present form OF government,
which the head Of the gas company had
inspired and maintained, was because
OF the refusal OF the Commissioners to
permit the company to water its stock.
Scores Gas People.
When one single citizen or set o.
citizens has power enough TO upset a
government which has proved itself to
be the best government the District
has ever had, il Is time TO stop them, 3"
said Mr.. SOwerbutts. "I would like TO
have some one show me a kind Of gov
ernment other than we have had that
would be good for the district I think
We ought to have a vote, but we have
tried three other forms OF government
even those other cities have been cursed
with, and found thas the last OF the
three-the presents the best.
1T is best to hang on TO what We
have. The District OF Columbia has
made more strides in me years It has
had the Commissioners than ever be-
fore II the government. went back to
one-man rule. the citizens would make
q great mistake.
Another thing 1 want TO call your
attention to is that when the secretary
OF the committee OF ciuizens' associa-
tions sent out invitations the various
associations, he overlooked the Northeast
Citizens Association. because he knew
now We stood on the question. That
same secretary Is. ii IS alleged. a at
tOrney for the gas company"
Resolutions reviewing the three forms
OF government the District has known
were offered and while the resolutions
Go not cOncede the present form IS
perfect. 1t is the belief OF members Of
the association that yne present form
IS better than any which has heretofore
been tried.
Tribute to Commissioners.
Included in the report Of the execu-
tive committee is a tri-uje TO the Com
missioners which reaes as follows:
The Commissioners have been able,
honest. high minded. progressive gentle
men. who have been free rom entang-
ling alliances with political parties, and
have COnscientiously given their best
efforts for the advancement OF the gen.
eral welfare of the District. with the
result that the period of management by
the Commissioners has been marked ny
honest economical. progressive admin
istration. and we believe that the rec
ord OF the District for good. clean, eco
nomical administration for the past thir-
" years will compare favOrably with
that OF any other city Of equal popula-
tion in this country"
Evan H Tucker. president OF the as
sociation, presided at last nights meet
ing which was one OF the most spirit
ed in the history Of the association