Evening star., 1919-04-21

1|l|
REPREsENTATIvE AUSTIN.
Richard W. Austin, who retired
from Congress on March after
twelve years service as representa-
tive of the second Tennessee district
and who has been an earnest friend
of the District, died here yesterday
from peritonitis, after having been
critically i'll for more than a month.
Brief services were held at the
home, 1926 21st street, last night,
conducted by Rev. Henry n. Couden.
the blind chaplain of the House of
Representatives. Speaker and Mrs
Clark. the new House leader. Represen-
tative Mondell. Representative Taylor
who succeeds Mr.. Austin. and practical J.
ly all members of Congress who are in
town attended the services. The BODY
was taken last night to Knoxville. Tenn.
where services are being held this
afternoon in the Second Presbyterian
Church Burial will be in Knoxville,
where Mr.. Austin maintained his
legal residence.
Civic Leaders Express Regret.
Members of the Board of Trade and
Chamber of Commerce of Washing
ton learned with regret of the death
of Mr.. Austin.
Since his retirement from Congress
a few months ago the Tennessee rep
entative had Joined both organi
cations, and the civic leaders of the
District felt that he would be of val
liable assistance in advocating leg
islation for the National Capital.
Mr.. Austin was co-author with SEN
ator Chamberlain of the resolution to
amend the Constitution empowering
Congress to grant to the District OF
Columbia representation in the
House. Senate and electorak college
At the meeting at which he be-
came a member of the Chamber Of
Commerce Mr.. Austin reaffirmed his
belief that Washington should be
represented in Congress-, and prom
ised to do all in his power while he
lived in Washington to secure this
right for the city.
Both organizations were planning
today to express their regret in q
formal way.
Was Friend of Nations Capital.
The National Capital and the gov
ernment employees have lost a good
friend by the death of former Repre-
sentative Austin
He was a former House employe
VINO returned dS d I1emO6I. ne WdS
4 former government worker who
after election to Congress worked
xealously and effectively to advance
the interests and improve the condi-
tion of the government workers.
Mr., Austin was one of the first
members to support the proposal to
Americanize the National Capital by
giving it representation in Congress
and one of his last acts as a member
of the HOUSE was to offerSa strong
plea for suffrage in the District and
TO have it printed as a House docu-
ment and distributed generally
throughout the United States.
He was father of the National Red
Cross building and as ranking re.
publican on the committee on public
buildings and grounds had exerted q
strong influence for the erection o1
government buildings and fol-
furthering the project of placing rep.
rensentative and adequate govern.
ment buildings south of Pennsyl.
vania avenue.
II was due largely to his advocac.
that the House committee ordered tn,
ers to be finished on Union station
plaza.
Familiar With Clerks Woes.
Always interested especially in tn
welfare of the government employees
whose tribulationS he knew from per
sonal association. Mr.. Austin was th'
hrst member of Congress to advo
cate a civil service retirement sys
tenn, and in the last session he serve,
in Congress worked earnestly will
Representative Keating of Colorado
in putting the measure through tn
House. When Representative Keat
ing. as author of the bill, and Rep
resentative Sims Of Tennessee, a.
chairman of the House committee oil
interstate and foreign commerce, ap
peared before the rules committe,
asking a special rule to expedite thi
legislation Mr.. Austin also made
strong argument as an interested
member.
He was active in getting the gov
ernment clerks and other employees al
increase in salary and the bonus T.
offset the increased cost Of living H
supported the commission to readjus
the salary schedule in governmen
employment
Mr.. Austin also led the effort 500
after the United States entered TIL
war which resulted in increasing tn
pay of soldiers and sailors to $50
month. His amendment was passe
and he received hundreds of letters O
appreciation from boys overseas
AS former employe of the Post OF
fee Department he was especially in
terested in efforts for the post offic
'icf anu tnc TUfai CdTFlcES ana wa
considered the best friend they had j.
Congress.
Resident of Knoxville.
Mr. Austin made his home in Knox
willie, Tenn, and in Washington h
lived at 1926 21St street His wife wa
formerly Miss Margaret Morrison, an
they have two children, CommaA, de
Charles NJ. Austin. =. ). ~. and Mis-
Jane Austin.
crosses Representative Austin retire
formed law partnership with iorme
Representative Ben Hunnphries o
Mississippi. also former member
and opened Offices here He also &C
cepted the presidency of the Ameri
can Recreation League. with a prim
object of more liberal observance o
Sunday.
Was Native of Alabama.
Mr.. Austin was born in Decatur
Ala August 26 1857 He wa
educated in public schools and in tn
University of Tennessee. He frs
came to Washington as secretary I
Representative l.. c Houk. and late
'ook employment in the Post Offic
Department. He was assistant door
keeper of the House in the Forty
seventh Congress.
In the Mckinley campaign for tn
presidential nomination Mark Ham
: selected Mr.. Austin to manage th