The Washington herald., 1913-04-27

lied estimates of the improvements most
needed In their communities at the time
the District heads are engaged in pre-
pairing their annual budget for Con-
gress. These estimates generally repre-
sent fairly the most pressing needs of
the communities, as all members of the
association take part in proposing che
various items, from which the most
necessary are selected by the consent
of all.
All Matters Considered.
Everything connected with the develop
ment of the section is brought up at the
association meetings, from the installa-
ton of petty drains to relieve overfiows
of drainage at street corners to the
proposal of opening new thoroughfares,
construction of costly bridges, and the
layong out of extensive parks. Each
item passed on and adopted is sent in
the form of recommendation to the
District Commissioners.
The Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions forms the senate of the citizen
body of the District. Matters important
to the general welfare of the residents of
Washington are brought before the fed
GRAFTON, or questions upon which the
concerted influence Of the people of all
sections is wanted. Members of this
central association are chosen from
among those most active in their dis
trict's organization. They are often
members of such other civic organiza-
tons as the Chamber of Commerce, the
Board of Trade, and business mems as
sociations.
Work of the federation has been re-
stricted this year by the fact of the
coming of new Congress. 1t was fur
Their felt among the members of the
federation that the attitude of the out
going Congress was not favorable to the
accomplishment of many things for the
local government; that the attention of
both Houses was too much occupied with
the mass of matters which mark ses-
sions at the close Of an administration
to give the necessary consideration to
local questions which the federation
would otherwise have brought up The
federation reserved its recommendations
for the new Congress and for members
of the new Board Of District Commits
sioners soon to be appointed.
Associations Mark Time.
This same uncertainty as to the prob
able choices for the next civilian Com
missioners for the District has had a
dampening effect upon the more active
citizens associations, and not as many
suggestions have been transmitted to
the District heads at the Municipal
Building and to the District Commit
tees in Congress during the past year as
usual. Many matters of interest to
members of the associations have been
referred to committees with instructions
to submit reports on them to the asso-
Citations after the appointment of the
new Commissioners and the converting
of the new Congress
change in the form Of the govern
ment of the District is the question Of
gravest interest which has come before
the federation this year. Discussion Of
a possible change in the form of gov
eminent was delayed as long as possible
by the federation, and since coming up
before this body il has been the subject
of several special conferences. Action
probably will be taken upon it at the
next meeting of the federation. and a
copy of it's opinion on the matter sent
to Congress.
Agitation to gain direct part In the
handling of their affairs has gone on in
the District ever since the Commission
form of government, with the organic
act. went into effect. This agitation has
been largely scattering and desultory
During the past year, however, the de-
mand for self-government has been To-