The Washington herald., 1912-02-15
DISTRICT JOINS
CIVIC FEDERATION
DR.. Wiley Praises Taft and
Judiciary and Opposes
Latter's Recall.
LOCAL MATTERS FIRST

Declaring that the '1egions OF the un-
holy are being drilled and marshaled to
fight against the correction Of that de-
feet in the pure food law made manifest
by the recent decision OF the Supreme
Court with reference to misbranding." /"
DR.. Harvey w. Wiley addressed a meet
ing at the New Willard yesterday after
noon, called for organizing the District
Civic Federation.
Wiley Lauds Courts.
DR.. Wiley declared that "the night will
be strenuous. II is the old battle of the
vested interests against the common peo-
pie" He eulogized President Taft and
the courts, asserted that the attitude Of
the courts toward the pure food law
had been beyond criticism" and de-
clared himself as strongly opposed to the
recall Of the judiciary.
A committee of twenty-five. with Henry
B. F. Macfarland as chairman, was su-
thoriZed by the meeting to act as
committee on organization and as the
executive council during the first year.
The meeting was called TO order by
Mr. Macfarland. The National Capital"
he said, should always march in the
front rank. Therefore, II should not be
behind the States and cities which have
organized branches of the National Civic
Association to promote national and To-
cal objects of the first Importance"
Ralph NJ. Easley, chairman Of the exec
utive council OF the federation. stated
that the purpose of the federation is ito
aid in solving some OF the great problems
related to social and Industrial progress"
He then gave a brief outline OF the
work of each department of the fedora
ton. He referred to tn work Of the
federation in connection with the regula-
ton Of combinations, uniformity in the
regulation Of railroad and municipal util-
tiles. compensation for industrial scci-
dents and their prevention, reform of
legal procedure, State tsxatiOn, and pure
food and drugs.
Francis L. Siddons, Of the local bar,
who is the District of Columbia COM
missioner among the commissioners on
uniform State laws. recounted the work
Of the commissioners and predicted great
things for the federation along the line
Of securing uniformity in laws.
District No Model.
Charles p. NeiII, Commissioner Of La
Dor, declared that an organization like
the federation is Of the greatest impor-
tance in Washington.
Here is where We should have model
laws for the entire country" said Mr..
NeiIl. We are far from that situation
now. The National Civic Federation. in
my opinion, will be a strong force TO
assist the District in this direction. Uni
form legislation proposals, with the back
ing of the States and the local and ma
tionaI bodies of the federation, would help
a great deal. This movement, l believe,
can get us model laws here"
Lsncelot Parker. secretary Of the
United States Federal Commission on
Employers Liability and Workmen's
Compensation. stated that the National
Civic Federation had assisted greatly
I'm the work Of reform along the lines
on which the commission, of which he
was a member, acted.
meeting OF the women's welfare de-
partment OF the National Civic Fedora
tion was held yesterday at the British
Embassy. DIR. A. J. McKelway. secre-
tary Of the child labor committee. ad-
dressed the meeting on the subject of
child labor. and Judge Mack, of the
Commerce Court, told of the work done
by Juvenile courts throughout the coun-
try.
The questions of prisons and reforms
will be considered by the organization
this morning. at the residence OF Mrs.
Herbert Wadsworth.