The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-02-07


! tion. genuinely a friend of Washing
| ton because this is the Federal work.
shop, the place where law is made
and enforced for 1O0,OO0,000 people.
and as such he feels it should be
| twice as great a city as il is today.
Has Made Inquiries.
1--WE been trying to find out what
brings about the strained relations be-
tween so many Congressman and the
people here" he told this writer, and
I've been making many inquiries.
I'm the first place il must be re-
membered that the new Congressman
comes to Washington from some city
or town where his $500 a year salary
would be far beyond his actual needs.
He lives in his own home and the eX-
pense is not so great. Arriving here
he probably seeks quarters among the
Congressional set, which is usually at
some good hotel. He brings his wife
and children. and he may place his
children in school His style Of living
costs him high. When he looks ahead
he sees that he can save nothing Of
his salary. He may have to draw on
his personal income. First cause of
crouch.
Next he hears that the executive
! departments arc unconcerned about
HIM and his requests; sometimes de-
partment officials have instructions to
tell him nothing. Crouch No. >.
He has come from district where
his personality is impressive: where
his constituents swear by him; where
he is hero. Wherever he goes in
Washington he is practically un-
noticed. Officials in the executive de
partments do not even know he il .
Congressman when he calls unless he
explains that he is Crouch No. 3.
Then he happens 20 pick UP 4
Washington paper. He finds the pa
per or prominent citizens slugginE
some Congressman for his opposition
to District measurers. saying nasty
things about him. Bad Impression
No. T.
81 net a fine young newly elected
Congressman the other day. He was
sore. grouChy and grumbling about
the town. He had heard unpleasant
things from many directions"
Mr. Mcfarland did not wonder that
il is hard for Washington TO get fair
dealing al the hands of these gem
tIemen." II he had his way he would
suggest that it would be good bus
mess proposition to stop singing
Congressman. On the contrary, win
Congress by fair argument and cour-
tcsy. That would be worth while %
Washington and the Congressman.
and Most Of all to the nation itself -
Commissioner Gardiner took the
oath Of office as District Commits
sioner with substantially the same
views a. Mr. Mcfarland now pre-
SCENTS. lie has been living up 10 those
views and finds that he makes friends
for the District in Congress.
q do not believe in this business
OF berating Congressman" Mr. Gardi-
ner asserted. When a national legis-
lator. who is also District legislator,
obtains an erroneous impression OF
things in the District. we should at
tempt 10 explain and educate. Let
US enIighten and not condemn. Let
civic organizations which abuse Con-
gressmen go to the legislators and
reason with them. Furnish light and
facts.
Urges ID. {. Committee.
4 do rot see why there is not
committee of big. broad-mindcd Dis
trict men named to 20 to Congress
men who fail TO understand District
problems and show them the facts.
81 certainly have no complaint 10
make as 10 my relations with Sena-
tors and Representatives. | find them
responsive 10 reason and light d. all
times. or course. we do not always
get Just what we want, but if we per-
sist in d policy Of enlightenment and
courtesy we viii succeed IN the great
majority o. cases. Congress is open
to convincing presentation Of facts
Mr. Mcfarland declares the Old-time
courtesy Of Washington is depart
ing. Years ago when he came here.
he says il was a delight TO go any
where. In the stores he was always
treated with courtesy. Several times
lately he has been disCourteOusly