Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-01

population, the Capital toed the
Disfranchised and enjoying none OF
the Political rights given by the Con-
stitution to the residents of other
states. the people of Washington
proved their love of country, their
capacity for self-sacrifice in ma
tionar emergency and their ability
te meet every demand of American
citizenship.
1t was the banner year of the Dis
trict's history, and probably ever will
remain SO. In not a single instance
was there a failure by the people
to respond fully to the demands made
upon Them.
Five War Funds, etc.
The 9ar fund campaigns, of which
five were conducted during the year,
afford striking example of making
good. The total quota assigned them
was in excess of forty-nine millions
OF dollars. They raised in excess of
s eighty-five millions, exceeding the
allotment by moro than thirty-six
millions.
In the third liberty loan. last
spring. the District was asked to
buy bonds to the extent of S12,-
SS0,o0D. 1t responded by buying So
:s92,250 worth of the war securities.
Its quota for the fourth bond cam
paign, in the fall, was placed at
S:I,6Os,0Oo. Again the limit was ex-
ceeded. when total sales to the
amount o. SOL ,o6: 100 We're recorded.
In the united war fund drive the
District pledged $3.50, 00o, as against
am allotment of 100000. and in the
Red Cross campaign contributed ST.
9IS,71o. where only 100000 had been
asked
washingtonians were asked to buy
war savings stamps during the year
to the extent of $500, 900. Sales up
10 December 1 had reached prac-
tically the seven million dollar mark.
That the quota would be surpassed
was not doubted in any quarter.
Draft Boards Efforts
But it was not alone in the aid it
gave financially that the District
made good. Its machinery for the
conducting of the registrations and
draft proved to be one of the most
ancient developed by any state or
municipality. In both the summer
and fall registrations Washington
was the first city to submit COM
piete tabula.ions to the War Depart
inent.,
! The draft organisation. gave untir-
ing efforts throughout the year Mai.
Daniel j. Donovan, director of the
draft; members of the District and
local boards, and many others associ-
ated with the enforcement of the
selective service law worked will
ingly day and night to accomplish
their respective tasks. Nearly 1900
men were indicted into military
service from the District under the
draft. More than $4,000 registrants
sddition. more than 10000 Registrars
under local boards outside the
District received their physical exam
nations here.
Aside from the attention they gave
to tire nations general needs in con-
nection with the prosecution of the
war. Washingtonians were required
20 meet purely local problems created
by war conditions which did not con-
front other cities. These grew large
~ out of the sudden expansion of it's
population. CongeSted housing con-
1itions and congested traffic We're the
most vexatious of the problems
developed.
One Hundred Thousand Population
Gain a Feature of the Yenr.
While definite figures are lacking,
1T is conServatively estimated that the
capitals population increased during
the year by 100. 900. Forty thousand
government positions were filled
through the civil service, this num-
Der in addition to executive order.
temporary and field service appoint
ments made outside of the civil
service.
that the bureau of housing of the
Department of Labor undertook to
relieve the situation by building
aormitorIes for war workers. The
largest OF these operations. facing
Union station plaza, was in course OF
construction when the war ended.
The facilities built and in course of
construction by the government pro-
vide accommodation for about 5000
workers.
Street car service was all but
paraIyzed by the greatly increased
derna nds made upon ii early in the
year. The District Commissioners
The street car companies and the
Navy Department co-operatcd in an
effort 20 relieve the situation, spend
ing about $500 in the employment
OF engineers and traffic experts. I'M
nroyement was effected through a
general readjustmeut of the methods
OF operating the traction lines.
Innuenxa and Shortage In
Fuel Well Fought.
While liberty bond campaigns. this
draft, unsatisfactory street car serv-
ice, overtaxed housing facilities, 4
coal shortage, prof1teering by some
food dealers and the general high cos'
of living combined to keep the inter
est of the citizens at white heat, the
Iavages of IL serious influenza cpl
demic, which broke out in October
dispelled consideration of other mat
ters for the time being. Once agar
the people responded to every sugges-
ton from the government for effective
cooperation. Volunteers for nursing
and filling the dangerous places in the
fine of defense set up against the dis.
ease were not lacking. Though the
Tnalady took a heavy death toll, It'll
progress undoubtedly was checked
through the stubborn resistance of
fered by the citizens working in har
mony with the District and fedora
government officials.
The District food and fuel admin
t5trations were not without theil
troubles during the year Scarcity o
coal in the winter and spring kept the
fuel administration busy. The foot
Administration poiiced the city agains
profteerins and for the observance b.
! dealers and consumers of the variou: