Evening star., 1918-08-21
ALWAYS FAIR AND HELPFUL.
How Senator Gallinger Aided the
People Of Washington.

To tine Edltor or The Star:
The death Of Senator Gallinger is
and will long be keenly felt by the
residents of Washington, and your
editorial Of appreciation of his great
friendship and services to the Dis
trict of Columbia. extending through
out his senatorial life, is thoroughly
well deserved and in that spirit is
appreciated by all our people.
Senator Gallinger was sincere be-
1iever in our citizens associations,
speaking often before them. and ad-
Tocated and stimulated the formation
of the Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations as a clearing house for the
numerous local societies.
copy of the tentative constitu-
tion of the proposed body when drawn
in 1910 was sent him. at his request.
to his summer home. and he went
over it and suggested several changes
and additions thereto. He believed
thoroughly in unity of action and con-
centration of effort.
When the federation, as its first
work. prepared its bill for a public
utilities committee for the District
and took it to Senator Gallinger-
conservative and cautious as he ever
was-he did not advocate it, and
stated that he would introduce it,
but only "by request" As the propa-
ganda progressed and President Taft
e6puSed 1t, he announced that his
mind was open" on the matter, and
later introduced bill of his own
and actively supported 1t. and it be-
came the present law, March 4. 1913
As the chairman for many years of
the Senate committee on the District
OF Columbia, he was always approach
able. afable, courteous and sympa-
thetic to all our people, rich and poor,
humble and influential alike, and
hearing was seldom refused by his
committee. The door stood always
open. but many petitioner for local
improvements found upon presenting
his case that the chairman of the COM
Z n1ttee knew far more of the needs of
his peculiar locality than he did him.
self. Senator Gallinser knew the high
ways and the byways Of Washington
thoroughly well.
While, as you say, republican of
the Strictest sect, Senator Gallinper
was puncti1iously fair and just to
enose OF the opposite side When
administration. Nominated Mr.. Ru-
dolph and Cen johnson, both repub-
licans, as the SUCCESSORS to Mr.. Mac
Iarlands republican, and MIR. West.
democrat to be Commissioners of the
District the democratic central COM
mittee OF the city. believing that the
spirit of the organic act had not been
observed and the precedents of a score
VI years oroken-in thus denying the
democratic party representation on
the board opposed their confirma-
tion and sought hearing before
senator Gallinger's committee. It was
a privileged favor sought and not a
risht, for not word could be said
against the personality of either
nominee. Senator Gallinger. wihbout
demur. graciously granted the re-
quest, called his committee together
ana Ior two hours the spokesman for
the District democrats-the IshmaeI-
ltes OF the political desert-had the
right OF way and full day In court
rms courtesy was deeply annreci.
1teo. Tor, when shortly afterWard The
democrats organized the Senate. and
senator Galhnger retired as the chair.
man and as member Of the Dfstrict
committee, q delegation of Distrjct
democrats waited on the senator and
expressed TO him their appreciation Of
people and their keen regret al his
retirement from the committee. Sena-
tor Gauinger replied that as a mem
per OF the appropriations COMMITTEES
ne expected to continue to serve aa
a member of its subcommittee in
charge of the District approximation
bill, and so hoped in that way to he
OF some service to US all, and SO he
did, and was to the hour OF his death
the faithful. consistent friend Of the
national city.
lated. localized segment, but as the
capital Of one hundred million Ameri-
cans. to become In the providence Of
God the political and financial center
Of the world
WILLIAM NICK. CLAYTON.