The Washington times., 1921-03-17
FOCHT WANTS
UNITY IN Dc.
New Head Of House District
Committee Urges Harmony
Among Civic Factions.

"The District of Columbia, as the
seat Of National Government, is about
to come into its own at last" Con-
gresham Benjamin X. Focht Of
Pennsylvania, next chairman Of the
House District Committee predict
ed today. washington is on the
threshold Of q new era Of prosper
ity that will witness the fulfillment
Of long neglected pledges Of civic i'm
prOvements, q closer cooperation be-
tween tho local government and Con-
gress."
PLANS TO ACCEPT.
Mr.. Focht lot It be known definite
~ today that he would accept the
chairmanship of the District commit
tee to succeed Congressman Carl e.
Mapes ~ Michigan. who goes to the
Committe. On Interstate and Foreign
Commercea ~
His encouragement Is by way of
hearty indors sqent Of the new Dis
trict Commissi oAers, Cuno H.Rudolph
and Capt jam. Y. Oyster. as practi-
tors OF District kfairs.
about refraining to accept the chair
ship Of the District committee until
he was sure that the new commits
sioners would represent the desires OF
the people of Warrington for q busi-
ness administration.
Consolidation Of Washington's
two street car systems and lower
street car fares" Ia Congressman
Focht's hope for the frst achievement
l,.. A. -
sion OF Congress that convenes April
II.
EADUsTMENT NEEDED.
He believes that one Of the most
urgent needs Of readjustment in the
District is lower rates for public
utilities, and expressed the desire
that the cases now In dispute would
be speedily settled in = way that
would afford the people of the Dis
trict long sought relief.
CONGRESSMAN Focht sees no neces-
sity for further hearings on the
street railway situation. He believes
that the two bills already reported
from the District Committees of the
House and Senate pave the way for
merger OF the principal companies by
making 1t legal for the Warrington
Railway and Electric Company to Alb
Company. Lower rates are bound to
follow the consolidation OF the two
street car systems, he declares, when
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company is put on q financial basis
that would warrant q merger with
the more prosperous Capital Traction
system.
Looking ahead into the regular ses-
sion of Congress when District AFFAIRS
will receive far more attention than
during the coming special session,
CONGRESSMAN Focht sees new era OF
prosperity dawning upon washing
ton.
IMPROVEMENTS ESSENTIAL.
Tho people Of the country. and
through them tho Congress-. want to
see washington expand and develop
into the great city that 1t should be-
como ~ the Capital Of the Nation"
Mr.. Focht said.
what il needed here Is more Of tho
spirit of cooperation between the
District Commissioners and Congress,
between the civic and business inter
ests Of the city and the Commissioners
Let everybody pull together instead
of pulling against each other. II Is
time to put theories ASIDE IN the
handling Of local affairs, and l am
ulad that two practical business men
have been appointed Commissioners.
There 10 = great deal to be done
in the District Of Columbia In the way
of civic Improvement. During the
war II was necessary to neglect many
Developments, many needed appropria-
tions. The time has come now wher
these shall be fulfilled and when suf-
fcient money will be spent In city
improements where they ale needed"
he declared.
Focht seeks the closest Kind OF
friendly cooperation between the Dis
trict Commissioners and the House
District Committee, and will be ready
at all times to seek their counsel. He
declared he believed that Congress was
prepared to deal generously with the
District, but at the same time he ex-
pecfed the people here to harmonixe
their differences more than they have
done in the past.
CRANDALL TREATER