Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-29

ne declared that in the past men of
influence and power in the District had
been able to pull wires for the benefit
of special classes"
These facts are SO notorious that
am not going to attempt to prove them.
here for putting things over, as the
phrase has it. as there has been else
Where. L must say, however, that
there is nothing like that now in our
Robert Woolley wrote a magazine arti-
Gle showing how specially privileged
men here had bridges built and streets
opened in the suburbs to their own per-
sonal and enormous advantage
Representative Berger of Milwaukee.
VINO was member of the House Dis
trlct committee few years ago, made
mention of the fact that when he would
go rlding in the country around WASH
lngton he would see fields and woods,
with paved streets running through
them and electric lights on both sides.
waiting for the people to come, and
you could almost see the land values
rising. Mr.. Berger also discovered near
the navy yard sections without side.
walks.
would not land values grow just the
same If some city council elected by
the people instead of Congress had or
dered those bridges and pavings and
lights?" asked Senator Chiffon
'Oh, yes"
We'll. then, have you any brand of
angels you can send here to change all
this?"
For Democratic Government.
Il have no brand of angels" returned
Mr.. Mackenzie, but 1 believe things
would have been better under a truly
democratic form of government here"
Senator Works suggested that there
mi JSh hn 70,
various sections if the people elected a
city government.
People of one section might get con.
troll he said. Il resent this charge Of
favoritism as a member of the Senate
committee on the District of Colum-
bia.''
The senator will remember that I
said it is all past and there is nothing
like 1t now." Mr. Mackenzie explained.
Are the franchises here granted by
Congress perpetual?' asked Represen-
tative Gard.
MY understanding is that they are
indeterminate; that Congress may end
them at any time and the public utili-
ties corporations should be on their
good behavior replied Mr. Mackenzie,
who then entered upon the argument
that, owing to the form of government
here. the people of the District have
reached a point where they care little
about what happens in their govern
ment.
IF you were to serve on District
committee Of Congress-" said Senator
Works, you would make no charge Of
inertia against the people of the Dis
trict. 1t is a great mistake to make
any claim of special privilege in the
District of Columbia. All classes are
constantly appearing before the menu
bers of the committees, and before the
themselves. They represent
all kinds and conditions. and 1t is a
great mistake to say that those who
appear before the District committees
represent any special privilege"
in view of what the senator has
said. 1 stand corrected" said Mr.. Mac
kenzie.
Activity of Civic Bodies.
Senator Works continued. saying:
How many different civic organiza-
tions have you in the city of WASH
ington? 1 know 1 have spoken before
a great many of them. and there are
many that L have never seen. Many
of them are always in appearance be-
fore the committees They are not in
active. and 1 should hate to think they
were Indeed, I think they are very
acti-~ II civic matters"
"Citizens associations are active"
replied Mr. Mackenzie. but I think
they are active in small local ways"
The Bar Association has worked as
for years." Mr.. Worthington
informed the committee. Ito get Con-
gress to put into effect a proper code
of laws and to change many of the old
laws in the District inherited from the
ancient Maryland code"
"The Bar Association is a shining ex.
ception to the general rule" Mr.. Mac
kenzie said.
Mr.. Macfarland. sitting near Mr.. Mac
kenzie, arose:
Il wish to say for all the civic organ
zations of the District represented by
the joint citizens committee, the Board
Of Trade, the Chamber Of Commerce.
associations and so Oil that
they are as public spirited and as all
truistic as any organizations In arg