The Washington times., 1915-03-07
SCRAPS" HELP CITY,
BROWNLOW ASSERTS IS
- ~ Nb' ..r
Commissioner Also Urged Civic
Associations Federation to
i Cooperate With Congress.

Cooperation with Congress rather
than opposition to the legislators who
are termed enemies to the District.
and more 'scrapping" among the citi-
zens Of the District are the two things
necessary to the progress of the Nation-
al Capital. according to Louis Browns
low. the newest member of the Board OF
Commissioners Of the District.
Controversy is the germ of progress.
Yo0 wouldn't be worth anything II you
didn't fisht," he told the Federation Of
Citizens Association last night in the
rooms of the Chamber of Commerce.
Other speakers, taking tne District
! official at his word, pledsed. themselves
Ato belligerency in the civic organizations
with which they are connected, and
Quarrelsome days, days Of activity for
Wkshingtons progress and days of in
creased efforts in behalf of the District
were promised.
The only business transacted was the
election Of committee to confer with
the Congressional commission which Is
to Investigate the fiscal relationship be-
tween the local and Federal govern
msnt:s Edward F. ,.; GSIladay. d. @ president 's n,
tod. Of Brightwood :, d. A. Edwards. Of
Lincoln Park; william e. Fowler, OF
Chillum Castle Heights, and John G.
MoGrath,' OF Park view, were named.
More Conversation.
washington needs the promotion Of
moro conversation about municipal af-
fairs" browBlow said. Municipal af-
fairs should be Of such vital. interest
Mat the people would talk about them
ont the street. in their homes, in their
various circles of activity. They shoull
set 30 interested in civic affairs as to
get mad aboit them. For after all 1t
. out Of heated discussion and scrap
ping and distoid that great harmony
springs.
"A good politician never quarrels with
the wrong man. And he Eeyer Quarrels
In the wrong way. -. citizens Of the
district should not injure themselves
by branding as adversar,es persons who
really are far from that. They should
not assume that members OF Congress
are inimical to the District 1 hate that
phrase, enemy Of the District We
should blot that phrase out forever"
The hope that Commissioner Brown
low would attend the next meeting of
the Chamber of Commerce was ex-
pressed by p. T. Moran, president OF
that organization.
Il assure him." he said, I'VE shall
have a scrap at each session. We are
scrappers, and that Is why the chamber
has prospered so WE'LL
william i. GalltneT, nTSt vice pIeSl-
dent of the Board of Trade. said citizens
can serve the city best by refrainins
from criticism and by setting before
Congress and the Commissioners facts
that will enable them to legislate and
administer affairs properly.
All in Government.
Referring to Commissioner Browrlow
asshaving already made good" James
f.. Oyster spoke about the fiscal rela-
tions between the District and Federal
Governments. urging that the mainte-
nance of the District fall entirely upon
,hs United States Treasury.
iThe National Government has COM
plete and absolute control Of this Dis
trtct,' he said. ''and should no more
allow a partnership in its maintenance
than it does In its management."
NJ. A. Leese. vice president Of the
Retail Merchants Association, said the
federation had the biggest opportunity
OF any civic body to do good for the
community.
r.. F. Coliaday, who presided. an
nounced that George f. Hamilton, presi-
dent OF the Capital Traction Company.
would address the federation April 3
on the relation of the traction company
n tho p,,blic