The Washington times., 1917-05-26
Mr.. FiIene, of Boston, on thf Unfit
cation of Washington's Civic
Organizations

There is no more live, wide-awake
citizen in the United States than
Edward A. Filene, of Boston. He
has demonstrated this by results. He
is one of Boston's biggest business
men,. one of the leaders in every
civic Improvement activity in the
Hub; the actual builder Of the great
City Club of Boston. one of the most
influential organizations of its kind
in the world; one of the founders and
promoters of the Chamber Of Com
merce of the United States, whose
frequent meetings here in Washing
ten have made its splendid work ia
miliar to everybody in this city.
The Times prints today Mr..
Filene's ideas on the pan to unite all
the commercial and civic bodies Of
this city under one head unifying and
harmonizing their work. Mr.. Filene's
opinion may be summed up in these
extracts from his interview:
Washington should have big
organization representing all the
business interests OF the city. so
big and so effective that 1t will be
a model and an inspiration for all
the other cities in the country.
The situation here is similar to
the one we had in Boston where
we had a number of small or
CARNATIONS all striving to accom-
plish the same end.
l see no reason why the busi-
ness men of Washington SHOULD
not succeed in building up an or
! ganization OF which the whole ma
tion may be justly proud. 1 know
some Of your business men here
and 1 am sure you have the men
and the power to bring about this
important object.
There is greater need today for
effective business organizations
than ever before in the country's
history, for we are facing as a
result Of this world war the
greatest changes and readJust-
ments that this country has ever
seen
There can be no question Of Mr..
Filene's right to speak with author
ity, there can be no logical disagree
ment with the conclusions which he
reaches.
The work already so well begun by
the Washington Forward Committee
can best be completed by a unifca-
tion of organizations and efforts.
Not All Who Call Themselves
Americans Are American
It is peculiarly mischievous that
such meetings as were held last
night, under the auspices of the So
cialist party, should be allowed in the
Capital.
The Times had no criticism to
make of those who opposed conscrip-
ton. 1t criticised-the opposition, but
not the expression of opinion. Now,
however, conscription is a law. and
those who find it for their interests
to decry it are doing a direct injury
to the country.
They are in a class with that un-
identified organization which has
within the past few days been send
ing broadcast circulars containing
the following advice:
"First-Do NOT REGISTER, no
matter what your age or physical
condition. Registration is the first
step toward conscription. YOU will
not be alone in this; thousands are
going to refuse. YOU will make one
more in this huge protest against
PRUSSIANIZING America.
"Second-Have copies OF this cir
cular written or printed and send
them to every person you can think
Of.
"Third-Teu every person whom
you can trust not TO register"
The enemies of this country are
not all serving under the German
flag. There are some men and women
whose endeayors to injure, this Gov
ernment are more insidious and dan
gerous than Teuton bullets. To their
efforts the United States Secret Serv-
ice has already directed a good deal
of attention. We suggest that fur
ther and careful observation be di-
rected to those who are active in this
citv.