The Washington herald., 1910-09-18
WHAT THE CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS DO FOR THE DIS TRIC7
Take Initiative in all Progressive
Matters - Public-spirited Men
Who Labor Without Price and
for the General GOOd-Some In
teresting History of the Various
Organizations-0n Eve of a Busy
Season.

That these philosophical citizens do
good is beyond question. II any one
doubt this, let him listen TO Hon.
Samuel w. Smith, chairman of the House
District Committee.
This is what no says: II can say that
appreciate the untiring efforts. not only
in behalf or the respective localities in
which the various associations may be
located, but the interest which they have
manifested in the common good OF all
portions of the District. I sometimes
wonder how some of these men. busy
could give so much time and energy in
promoting various projects which now
and in the future will be OF material
benefit. l want to say that SO far as
have been able 10 discern. the officers
and members OF the associations labor
seemingly without price, doing those
things which they believe to be the
greatest good 10 the greatest number"
No one IS better able 10 speak on this
matter than Representative Smith. He
has visited all the associations and ad-
dressed them, and has been visited many
times by their representatives.
MIR. MacfarIand's Tribute.
There is still another who is equally
qualified 20 testify as 20 the usefulness
of these associations. and he is Henry
B. F. Macfarland. former Commissioner
~
farland thinks:
Under our form OF government, II is
absolutely necessary that public opinion
have such organs OF expression. l did
everything in my power 10 encourage
their good work, and am grateful to
them for all their aid by information,
suggestion. and encouragement in carry
ing on the government OF the District OF
Columbia. The relation between the gov
eminent and the associations cannot be
too close"
There are forty-eight associations in
the District. with a membership OF nearly
10000. and In order TO work together In
matters affecting the entire city the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations was
formed There were some associations
which did not think IL wise TO identify
themselves with the central body. be-
hevins il better to preserve their indi-
vidIality That much of the work could
best be done through a federation is the
belief of Senator Gallinger, chairman OF
the Senate District Committee. Senator
Gallinger says: I look with favor on
the proposition 10 unite them for certain
purposes"
There is no doubt that a majority Of
the people Of the District are ignorant
OF what has been accomplished by citi-
Zens' associations. They do not know
what an important part they are playing
n the development of the city. A GER
tain association holds a meeting. passes
a resolution favOring the opening. paw
Ing and lighting OF a certain street. The
following morning the public reads the
resolution In the daily paper. This Is
the last Of the matter so far as the
reader is concerned. He fOrgets all about
H. But not so with the association. It's
members go before the District Com
missioners, induce them TO place the i'm
provement In their budget, and when Il
goes TO Congress they go there and work
for it, After while the street is opened
paved, and lighted, and the public who
read the resolution and forgot Il thanks
Congress for the Improvement. forgetting
that the association first saw the need