Evening star., 1914-07-12
TRIBUTE PAID CAPITAL
BY REAL ESTATE MEN
Following His Address, John L
Weaver Is Made Vice
President.
Pleads That Seat Of National Gov
ernment Should Be Made
Model City.
Special Dispatch to The Star.


yer Of Washington. D. c.. who addressed
the convention OF the National Associa-
ton Of Real Estate Exchanges here to-
day on washington City. Your National
Capital" was elected one OF the vice
presidents Of the association.
Other officers chosen were Thomas
Shallcross. Philadelphia, president;
George Keesper. Chicago: T. NJ Weir.
Tampa: A. H. Hanson. Saskatoon. Alber-
ia: R L. Foust. Knoxville: W. P. Sewell
Indianapolis: w. w. Mines. Los Angeles;
Samuel Collyer Seattle; V. J. Rotschild
and John J. Dowlings St Paul. vice
presidents; John E. kane. Pittsburgh,
secretary. and Byron Hastings Omaha
treasurer. Los Angeles won next years
convention over Seattle on the final bal
lot.
Mr.. Weaver's address was one of the
features of the concluding session. He
declared that Washington should be made
a model city-a place which represents
the results of ripe experience-and that
II should not be utilized as an experiment
station for every new government theory
that presents itself.
Explains Meaning of Government.
Mr.. Weaver first told something of the
explained the meaning of the word gov
eminent
ITO dispel the vague and hazy concep-
ton that We all have as to what the
government is as viewed in Washington.
let US for moment attempt to picture
it.. he said. - Government in Wash
lngton stands for a body of men doing
the official business of that division of
society known as the United States of
America They number about 5000.
The head of this force at present is
the President From that high station
the force ranges through a Vice Presi-
dent. cabinet officers. who are heads of
departments. Chief Justice and associate
chiefs. division chiefs. a vast body of
clerks, watchmen and messengers.
The term government as used in the
Capital city leaves another impression
on both the visitor and the resident when
they see the wonderful buildings and
surrounding grounds in which is carried
on the work of the vast army of officials
referred to. The government-owned
structures range from the dignified and
impressive White House. considered by
example of architecture on the North
American continent to the factory type OF
building used for commercial and busi-
ness purposes. OF the latter class, the
great government printing office and the
new bureau Of engraving and printing
are good examples.
Let us see the coloring our picture
takes on when We consider the business
carried on by this army. 1t is enormous
in the aggregate, and it is of the greatest
importance to every soul Of the hundred
millions Of our people. A few illustra-
tions will suffice to bring this home to
you. Compare. for a moment. the opera
tions of the Treasury Department with
son can there be between the far-reach-
ing effects Of the decisions of the Su-
preme Court of the United States with
those Of the most important courts in
any commonwealth? When the inter-
state commerce commission has under
consideration a major case, such as that
Of advances in railroad rates. now pend
fng. where millions in capital and enor-
NOUS armies Of men. capitalists and la
borers alike, must wait in anxiety until
that decision is handed down. what have
you In any state to compare with it?
Other Departments Cited.
Consider the activities Of the great
Agriculture Department. the vast i'm
portance and far-reaching effects of its
various lines of research. Consider the
convenience. cheapness and facilities
provided by the Post Office Department
in its wonderful mail and parcel service.
Consider one Of dozen similar depart
ments, such as the geological survey. the
patent office, general land ONCE. all
operating from Washington. and then
compare them with your largest indus
try. II you will do so / believe you will
appreciate the mistake in the oft-quoted
statement that there is no business in
Washington. The business of 1Ol.O90.O00
people is there transacted-a business of
the largest kind, and of the greatest i'm
portance. the business of the government
not of the individual.
The Justification for this exclusive con-
troll will be better understood when the
government is considered as a being. an
entity, with all the needs Of the indi-
vidual and many needs that the individual
or smaller organization does not have.
An exclusive control is needed to protect
the chief executive. Congress and the
judiciary in working out the momentous
problems that affect the welfare OF the
people from attack on the part of those
whose selfish interests and momentary
passions warp their visions to the real
needs of the nation. Every individual
American must know the one properly
guarded and controlled place where his
ancient and inalienable right of petition
may be exercised"
In conclusion Mr.. Weaver said:
II bespeak for Washington. the federal
city, your best thought and effort. know
that it will result in perfecting the fairest
city of modern times"