Evening star., 1919-02-22
WASH|NGTON'S IDEA
OF D. c. DISCUSSED
Association of Oldest Inhabit-
ants Meets on Birthday of
First President.
NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED

The Association of Oldest Inhabf-
tants held its usual Washington
birthday ceremonies, the principal
speaker being Representative Ad-
olson r. Smith. The exercises were
preceded by a business session. at
which the names Of ten Washingto-
rians were presented for membership.
The exercises opened with the sing
ing Of "Ameaca."
Theodore w. Noyes, president OF the
association, discussed the ideas OF
George Washington in regard to the
National Capital and the federal dis
trict. declaring that nowhere in
Washington's writings or in any OF
his recorded speeches or conversa-
tions did 1t appear that he contem-
plated for the people OF the District
the un-American conditions under
which they now live.
DR.. Thomas Calver read An original
poem. John Clagett Proctor read
Washington's farewell address.
Must Check Anarchists.
Representative Smith said, in part:
''Of the many problems growing out
Of the great war none is Of greater
importance or requires more urgent
consideration than the immediate
control of the spirit of opposition to
all government which appears to be
active in many sections Of the coun-
try,
tators, most OF whom are aliens, who
came to this country with no inten-
tion of becoming cttisens or of es-
tablishing home and abiding by our
laws, but for the purpose Of stirring
up, dissensions, with the hope OF
result in the Advancement Of their
own unrighteous doctrines. This ele-
ment Of disturbance should be elfmi-
mated from our American life. Those
who insult our flag and make light of
our form OF government should be
The ulcer they are creating should be
extracted BY the surgeons knife.
'srhe abnormal conditions created
by the war give the agitators their
opportunity. and they are not slow to
use It. The recent strike at Seattle
and on the coast is q fine example Of
this agitation. and the sympathetic
strike in which II was attempted to
tie up all industry was little short Of
an attempt at revolution. They
poured their tales Of woe into the
ears of the iaboring people until they
began to think they were imposed
upon. and the strike resulted. OF
course it fixxled out; there could be no
other outcome. The American people
are not yet ready to embrace boil
shevisfn and anarchy. which were 80
plainly apparent behind the strike
The strike at Butte was also an out
break of the same element.
Would Deport Leaders.
"one of the first remedies to apply
to such Q condition is the deportation
Of the alien leaders, and our govern
ment should lose no time in putting
It into practice. Every one of these
alien Agitators who make it q busf-
ness to stir up strife among the peo-
Pile should be carted on to the country
from which they came. We need no
such characters in America. We are
glad to extend the hand of welcome
to the honest. law.abiding people
from every cline, but anarchists and
gloves. In nearly every recent strike
the trouble was caused by bunch OF
agitators with foreign names, most OF
whom have never been naturaIixed.
Whenever labor has = just griev-
anes the American people are vsesily
cause and lend them any assistance
possible in their struggle, but when
revolutionary methods are employed
the public is just as quick to con-
denim The country is confronted
with. unusual conditions and those
should weigh the matter carefully
before they quit their work. There is
bound to be more or less unemploy-
ment until the conditions Of the coun-
work should leave we'll enough alone
until things get to normal basis
again.
Must Provide Employment.
'Tn the readjustment Of our indus
tries 50 as to meet the conditions re-
sulting from the closing OF the great
war every effort is being made by
Congress to provide for possible un-
the returning soldiers may find the
avenues to lucrative positions open
to them, but that all who desire en-
ployment may readily And II. A bill
is now awaiting consideration in the
House to suspend the immigration
laws for four years in order that our
own citisens may adjust themselves
to the changed economic conditions
resulting from the war, without being
required to compete for employment
with the foreign-born citizen. whose
standard of living is far below that
proposed that he who Is permit
ter to enter the country shall first
furnish satisfactory evidence of his
good character, with a complete his
tory OF his life. educational quaiif1ca-
e.nns sions prssSus GYM sScis or
connected, and that he intends to be-
come a citizen and support the gov
ernment of his adoption.
Legislation is also pending provid-
ing for the education and American
ization of our illiterate native and
naturalized citizens. with nearly
one-twelfth of our population unable
to read the English language, is it
surprising that they are easily in
fiuenced by the shrewd organizers of
the l. w. w. and other agftators who
preach the doctrine OF hate to or
ton Is being enacted providing for
corporation with the federal govern
ment in the advancement Of this
splendid work. State and county
councils OF defense. municipalities
organizations are also active in in
teresting the people in the great i'm
portance of encouraging those need
ing instruction to take advantage Of
the opportunities offered to secure an
eleIuentHFy oQucAtiOn.
Great Good VIII Follow.
THE benefits which will accrue to
the nation as a result Of this great
plan cannot be measured. The for
eigner will be made more eficfent.
more patriotic and law abiding when
he realizes the magnitude of our coun.
try and is made acquainted with its
glorious traditions and accom- piish-
rhents. Racial prejudices will be more
easily abolished. the children win be