The Washington herald., 1911-11-30
TAFT is IN TOUCH
WITH LOCAL NEEDS

Continued from Page One.
be seriously injured or. even killed. and
pointed out that under the present condi-
tions in case they are disabled or killed
their families receive practically nothing
Mr.. Dutton emphasized the injustice of
present conditions.
Sources of Fund.
The speaker then discussed the sources
from which the present inadequate fund
arises, and pointed out that as the re-
ceipts from these various sources are
fiuctuating, the policemen and fremen
are confronted with a varying fund.
which is usually far behind the amounts
due benehciaries. Mr.. Dutton said that
the sources Of revenue were the monthly
assessments of 81 upon each member Of
the police and fire departments. the pro-
ceeds OF the sales of condemned property,
the dog:tax receipts, and the Police
Court fines.
Mr.. Dutton said that the use Of Police
Court fines as a source for the creation
Of the pension fund could be productive
OF great evil, as 1t offered temptation to
policemen to make unnecessary and
unreasonable arrests. The President was
greatly surprised to learn OF this source
of revenue, and made number of notes
On the point
The speaker said that the federation
was in favor OF establishing an adequate
and permanent pension fund upon the
half-and-half basis-the District paying
half and the Federal government con-
tributing the remainder. Mr.. Dutton
urged that this plan was entirely fair,
as a large percentage of the property
protected by the policemen and hremen
belongs to the government, and Is OF
much more Importance than the posses
sions of the residents of the city.
PesIdent QuIets Fears.
President Taft intimated that he was
contemplating sending a special message
to Congress, dealing purely with District
affairs. Mr.. Taft said that he was
strongly in favor of a continuance Of
the half-and-half system OF appropria-
tons for the District He quieted all
fears OF members OF the federation that
Congress will attempt to change the
organic act OF 1878.
William NICK Clayton, president of
the federation, who headed the delega-
ton, spoke on the subject OF the crea-
tion Of a public utilities commission. Mr..
Clayton told the President that the estab-
lishment of such a body would solve all
of the vexing problems between the pub
lie service corporations and the people
Of the District which arise from time to
time. He said that the utilities COM
mission would bring to the people of the
District many of the projects which
they are now advocating as separate
issues.
Glenn Brown, Of the federation, dis
cussed the movement for the beautifca-
ton OF the city by means of an ex-
| tensive and elaborate parking system.
connecting Rock Creek Park with the
Mall. The plan provides for the develop
ment OF the natural beauty OF the Lower
Rock Creek Valley and the Improvement
of the Anacostia River water front. Mr..
Taft has been known for some time
to favor such a project.
Need of n Stadium.
Allan Davis, principal Of Business High
| School, and vice president of the feder-
alton, presented the question Of the erec-
| tion Of a vast stadium for athletic pur-
poses and for the high school cadet
| drills. Mr.. Davis spoke Of the need of
such a building and its value to the
residents OF the District. Mr.. Davis also
discussed the movement for the establish
ment Of a teachers retirement system
appropriated for by Congress. Mr.. Da-
Wis explained that the establishment OF
the retirement system would mean no
loss, but would rather increase the eff
cheney and economy Of the school sys-
| tenn.
Mr.. Davis said that at present there
are many teachers advanced in years
| who are less efficient than they formerly
| were, but who hold on to their positions
| because Of the absence Of a retirement
system. Under present conditions, he
said, the school department loses much
through inefficiency.
The conference was held in the Presi-
dents Cabinet room at the White House.
1t began at II o'clock in the morning
and lasted for about three-quarters Of an
hour. W. H. Richardson, president of
the Benning Citizens Association, and
member of the federation, accompanied
| the committee from the civic body.
THE committee was delighted with the
conference" said Mr.. Clayton yesterday
afternoon I'VE were treated most
courteously. President Taft listened at
| tentively to our addresses, and took ex-
tensive notes. He seemed to be in
tensely interested in the subjects which
were discussed. We believe that the con-
ference will be productive of great good.
"TRft for the People,"
I'VE were surprised at the complete
knowledge Of the Chief Executive regard
| ing District affairs. Because Of this we
are reassured Of his support at the COM
ing session Of Congress- President Taft
is for the people Of the District, and
we believe he will do everything in his
power to bring about the legislation we
discussed with him at the conference.
THE special message to Congress will
help wonderfully in obtaining for the
District the legislation which has been
needed for so long. The federation and
the people generally will greatly sppre-
ciata the interest which President Taft