The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-15
Fifty Busy Men TO Solicit
Members Votes for
Appropriation.
DESERT BUSINESS
TO DO CAMPAIGNING
Representative Foster Promises to
Aid in Fight for Sufi-
cient Money.

Fifty Of WaShington's foremost busi-
ness men met at the Chamber of Com
merce this morning and agreed 20
individually visit five members Of the
House Of Representatives within the
next thirty-siN hours and impress upon
them the necessity Of giving an adequate
appropriation for the maintenance pf
the children's Fairgrounds Of the Dis
trict and to provide new equipment and
new grounds.
The men who have volunteered their
services have been impelled 20 desert
their private business at this the busiest
time OF the year, by the action OF th.
Committee on Appropriations Of the
House in cutting the Fairgrounds es-
innate in the District appropriation bill
to such an extent that but 5000 will
be left TO do work which, at the lowest
estimate, cannot be done for less than
81. 800
The meeting at the Chamber Of Com
merce today was called by Vice Presi-
dent Arthur c. Moses, Of the Pl- y
grounds Association, TO take immediate
action 20 insist on action by Congress
that would insure the provision Of
proper funds for the Fairgrounds. Mr.
Moses called the meeting TO order at
u:3O o'clock. and briefly sketched the
condition Of affairs.
Majority Vote.
BY a majority Of one vote the Com
mittee on Appropriations cut down the
estimate Of $1,000 for Fairgrounds pre-
sented by the District Commissioners
to 5000 This, Mr.. Moses declared,
would permit but 5000 to be used for
operating expenses.
Eight Of the Fairgrounds operated by
the association are on Government
property, and there IS an additional
playground iu Georgetown to be pro
vided for this year
Unless the amount proposed by the
House committee is increased the per
sonal solicitation Of funds from the
citizens OF the District Will again be
necessary.
An earnest effort TO obtain an increase
in the House should be made, he said.
Mr.. Moses provided cards with the
names OF all the members Of Congress
who voted against the Fairgrounds sP-
preparation last year. and each Of those
present at the meeting was asked to
select the names Of members h. knew
and make a personal plea for botter
treatment this year.
Considers Members Ignorant.
Secretary James E. West. Of the play
grounds association. declared he be
lieved the members who had opposed
the bin last year did so through ig-
norance. and that If they were properly
informed they would not oppose an in
crease in the House bill. The work that
is 10 be done must be done now. Mr..
West explained. as It is designed to
! pass the District bill IN the House be-
fore the Christmas holidays.
| Representative Foster Of Vermont. a
| friend of the Fairgrounds, viii take
up the cudgel again this year and VIII
| lead the fight on the floor Of the House.
He rs acting as an advisor 70 the com
mittee Of business men who are TO see
| the members personally, and the action
! that was taken today was al his sug-
1 gestion. after conferrinE with several
| other members of the House who are
I TO help him i'm his work. Mr.. Foster
! expressed confidence in the ability Of
/ himself and his associates 20 carry the
! appropriation through the House, pro-
/ vided the citizens do their part.
Going After Votes.
! But il is not alone the members who
voted against The bin who will receive
| the attentions Of the business men to-
night and tomorrow morning. There
are more than hundred members of
/ the House who were recorded aR not
voting on the bill at the last session.
! These members are also 20 be visited
/ and sounded as TO their opinions Mr..
! Foster advised the committee that no
/ member Of the House who was inform
! ed Of the real condition OF affairs would
/ vote against the Fairgrounds increase
| even fl his conscience would not permit
4 him TO vote for IT,
/ Each Of the Fairgrounds missionaries
/ has provided himself with munitions OF
/ war I'm the form Of a report of the secre-
/ t9ry OF the Fairgrounds Association
| showing tie needs Of the organization
I for the next year and the impOssibuity
/ Of meeting these expenses with the ap-