The Washington herald., 1914-12-03
CITY MAN NEEDS
CARE OF U. S., TOO
Farmer Gets All Attention,
Mcfarland Tells AS
sociation.
WASHINGTON IS UNIQUE
Capitals Characteristics Analysed by
Former Commissioner Before
National CIVIC Body.

Charging Uncle Sam with absolute
neglect of the city man while giving all
kinds Of aids to the farmer. J. Horace
Mcfarland, OF Harrisburg. Pa, presi-
dent OF the American Civic Associa-
tion, last night made a forceful plea
for a municipal department to care for
the city resident as the Department OF
Agriculture looks after the farmer.
"Is II not time that Congress recog-
nize the needs OF the city dwellers?"
asked President Mcfarland. Would II
be amiss II a city man write to Wash
ington for data as to sewage disposal
the countryman now seeks aid for crop
marketing. combating potato scab,
growing increased wheat yield?"
President Mcfarland pleaded the
cause OF the small cities and urged
organized governmental effort in bet
tering conditions OF the great number
Of American cities in which the ma
jority of the people reside.
"Five-siXths OF Americans are yet
outside of New York. Chicago. San
Francisco. and the sixteen other large
cities, and l believe this five-sixths
have needs. rights and possibilities in
better living well worth attention" he
said.
THE average Intelligent American has
the misconception that city planning re-
lates only to large communities, already
populous and prosperous. and it seems
TO be his unconscious conclusion that 1t
is best for the small city to first make
all the mistakes OF ignorance, believing
that when the town becomes great 1t
can plan for convenience"
Congress Friend of Capital.
Representative Slayden. OF Texas. pre-
sided at the meeting. which was held at
the New Willard. In his opening ad-
dress he said: Let me say that l hope
that in your plans for developing Wash
ington. you will keep in mind the man
who is to pay for it. for IL he and his
Representatives get il into their minds
they are being treated unfairly your
schemes will not develop.
"A lot of fooIishness is being talked.
and some OF it printed. about hostility
between Washington and Congress.
There Is nothing in this talk. The an
swer is in every street and park OF
this wonderfully beautiful city.
Henry B. F. MacFarland thanked the
association for the aid II gave last spring
to the Committee OF One Hundred in re-
sisting proposed legislation hostile to the
interests of Washington. I'VE here in
Washington who were called to the coIors
OF the National Capital to resist this
legislation felt warranted in turning to
our fellow citizens throughout the nation
because II was their national city" said
Mr.. Mcfarland.
This association was notable among
twenty national organization having
headquarters here in telling the people OF
the nation OF the danger so that they
might turn to their Senators and Repre-
sentatives."
Col. William W. Harts. superintendent
OF public buildings and grounds and sec
retary of the Fine Arts Commission told
OF THE Washington OF Today and a
Vision of the Washington OF Tomorrow"
He showed illustrations of the city today
and photographs of plans for the city as
1t will be fifty years hence.
No Vote This Season.
The association began its tenth an
nuAl convention at a meeting at the
New willard yesterday morning. Pres
ident Mcfarland presided. The invoca-
tion was pronounced by Rev. Charles
Wood. OF the Church OF the Covenant.
Commissioner SIddons delivered an ad-
dress of welcome and Mrs. Edward w.
Biddle. OF Carlisle. Pa. vice president
of the association. presided.
The session was devoted to the sub
ject of Related Civic Advance" and
addresses were delivered by Thomas
Shallcross. jr.. OF Philadelphia. presi-
dent of the National Association of
Real Estate Exchanges; ]. Locke will
son, secretary of the Ontario Horticul-
tural Society OF Canada: Rev. A. II.
Scott, OF Perth. Ontario. a member of
the executive board of the association;
w B. Burgoyne. OF st. GATHERINGS. On
tario: Frederick Law Olmsted. OF
BrooklIne. Mass, and Mrs. John d.
Sherman, chairman OF the conservation
committee of the General Federation of
WOmen's Clubs