The Washington times., 1919-12-05
FEDERATION
.DR|VESHOWED
CIVIC SPIRIT
Success of Membership Cam
paign Expected to Be Shown
with Congress.
NJ BILL PRICE.


privileges OF free men was the real
motive power that carried to over
whelming success the organized citi-
senship drive in this city. now wind
ing up with the addition of thousands
of new names to the rolls of member
ship OF various Eltizens' associations.
That vas the spxrk that turned to
a connagration: that enabled the or
sanizers to easily accomplish won
ders: that " still causing large num-
bers of prominent citizens to be writ
iag letters asking why they have
been overlooked in the campaign
President Westlake, of the FEEDER
alton Of Citizsns' Associations can
didly admits that the spark needed
only to be tanned to produce results.
and he was today proud Of the mani
restation Of city-wide spirit for par
tietpation Ia home Affairs
hDeessavs Lesson Gav~
That an impressive lesson has been
given IL the unanimous conclusion Of
Mr.. Westiake, Jesse L. Suter, and the
others who carried the drive to such
vonderful success That splendid re-
salts. highly beneficial to the District,
VIII follow Il not doubted
These results will be obtained from
Congress when that body fully under
stands, a II will that the organized
citfxens of the District really speak
for . large percentage Of the whole
citixenship-
CoagrUas Fer District.
30 many Senator'S and Congressmen
have joined cftf1eu4 associations dur
iax the drive that Mr.. Westlake
thinks Il probable that quorum OF
each Heuse might be gotten together
if the associations are able to stage
oae big gathering.
Senator Capper Of KAnsas, that good
old State where political freedom is
the greatest Of all pfises, sent to ths
Committee today hts mambership Zee
and added t6eaA sikniflcant word1: n
an in hearty sympathy with the pur-
poses of this organization II will cer-
tAiuly make . greater and more beau
tiful Capital and am strong for that
program"
senator Page OF Vermont sent along
his check and his good wishes.
There has never been anything
more important in the relations be-
tween Congress and the people of the
District than the necessity of having
Congress understand and appreciate
the true feelings of District people.
That understandin IL is readily ad-
mitted, can never be reached unless
q bond OF fellSwship exists.
Statesmen y. 20 come here repre-
senting their 'commonwealehs often
never get acquainted with the people
Of this city and the needs OF this
community. They read the recon-
mendations of the District Commis-
sioners, but there is not the personal
touch that is so essential
deavor TO and methods that will well
come the national Legislators into the
local atmosphere and make them feel
that this is their home.
S>nstsrs Viewpoint.
Months ago this writer talked with
q United States Senator, who had
many things to complain of about
Washington. His chief complaint,
ore that is probably widespread
s7ong Congressmen. Is that he had
rover been able to get acquainted
with local people; that he had found
no warmth little of the fellowship
which would have made him feel
more at home.
He pointed out that every session
sf q new Congress brings many new
congressmen- There could be no
greater local asset, in his opinion,
oe made to feel a real home welcome,
a desire on the part of Washington
people 70 be OF service to newcomers
when confronted with some of the
small troubles that are pestirerous
IN this life.
Therefore. II the federation Is able
20 work out plans for bringing Con-
T-ress into harmonious touch with To-
cal people, q touch that is different
rom the stiffness OF official life, that
means cordial welcome and a wish to
- helpful and neighborly, 81 may
start along the road that leads to
wonderful aceomplishmentS for the
District
The District Commissioners have
Uniformly given citizens association.
svery consideration they deserved in
socai problems, and Commissioner
3rovnlow has often expressed the
sish that citizens would write freely
20 Senator'S and Congressman about
here are not selfish motives back Of
.hs communications.
Congress- onds so much selhshness
back OF requests upon its members
chat II is always looking for the
%nigger in the woodpile" II is re-
sreshing TO Senators and Congress-
men when they come in contact with
citizens who advocate legislation for
the good Of their nation or OF the
FEDERAL Capital and who are truly
sble TO eliminate benefits that might
accrue to them Washington citizens
and organizations unanimously stand
for the upouilding and betterment %
the CAPITAL Clty