The Washington herald., 1921-09-04

sectional question could be consid-
cred by the federation.
Inelades Thtrty-Eight Associations.
These provisions definitely con-
vinced the most Of the active citi-
zens associations not yet Joined
that here was opportunity for both
themselves and the federation to
exist successfully at the same time
and many saw that the federation
would make certain Of their de-
mands moro effective than they had
been able to make them alone
Gradually the outside associations
came in until the number swelled
from the original sixteen to the
present size, which is thrty-eight
active associations.
Advent of the federation brourh,
about a gradual change OF ACTIVITY
on the part Of the member assocIa :
tions OF the district. Through m.
formative years of their existence
they had been devoted primarily tC
local improvements. The citizens
in a given district would meet
monthly, as a rule. to discuss the
need Tor repairing a certain street
or-the wisdom of installing a lamn
post at a particular corner.
Co-ordinafes All Activities,
nese matters, after being
thresned out. were taken up win
tne district Commissioners and he
yohd question much local good was
accomplished. Supplementing this
specially OF streets and alleys and
sewers and water connections the
local associations frequently passed
peppery resolutions on matters of
broader scope. But there the mat
ter usually ended. Those who ap-
peared before committees of Con-
sress at most represented a neigh
oornood. Rarely had they time jor
opportunity to prepare material OF
city-wide Importance.
IL was the purpose of the new
federation to coordinate the activi-
ties of these neighborhood bodies
and when these had expressed
themselves definitely upon a matter
20 give force to carrying it out.
Almost from the beginning the
Federation of Associations took
over the task of. appearing before
Congress. Instead of those most
interested personally or selfshly
being selected to call upon mem.
bers of the House and Senate. or to
speak at hearings. committees were
carefully chosen. their members
picked with a view to eliminating
the man who might be open to a
charge of selfish interest.
Resented by Congress.
1t may not be overstating the
case to say that at the time the
Federation OF Citizens Associations
was formed Congress and the cIu-
Zens of the District were at cross
purposes. The practice, long con-
tinued, of those with the most al
stake having the most to say tC
Congress had inevitably resulted In
feeling on the part of the mem.
bers on Capitol Hill that the peo-
pie of the District sought nothing
but special favorA and an oppor-
tunity to raid the General Treasury
1t has taken time to overcome
that reputation but each year has
seen a perceptible increase in the
influence of the citizens bodies with
Congress. A representative of the
Federation of Citizens Associations
who appears now on behalf Of some
niece of legislation affecting the
District of Columbia is listened to
with respect and attention. The
organizations he represents have
come. in the absence Of machinery
for popular elections. largely to be
taken as the mouthplece Of the peo-
pie of Washington.
How Meetings Are Conducted.
Congress. with its partisan rival
ries and its sparring for party ad
vantage, is a slow entertainment
beside a meeting of the Federation
of Citizens Associations. Somewhat
smaller than the u S. Senate with
its seventy-six delegates, the fed
Grafton attendance is usually quite
the equal of the Senate's. Its meet
ings are regarded as the stormiest
in Washington.
The only Senatorial courtesy
observed in the federation meetings
is that every delegate must be given
opportunity to be heard. Speeches
however, are limited to five min
utes except where common consent
permits a longer time. The chair
man has never been a czar and he
follows the tradition of not permit
ting even parliamentary tactics to
shut off debate so long as any dele
gate desires to be heard.
Urged Traction Merger.
Delegates to the first meetings OF
the federation in most cases had
been prominent officers in theiE
local associations. Through the
years that the neighborhood bodies
had been active most of the bad
crossings and faulty street lamps
had been attended to. Little in the
way of petty local Improvement re-
mained to challenge the attention OF
the new assembly. At the outset 1t
began looking at larger questions
such as representation and the vote
for the District of Columbia I'm
proved methods of taxation, pos
sible election instead OF appoint
ment Of District Commissioners.
The street railway question then'
as now, was a veXatious one. Al
most before the federation was tor-
mally organized William Mch. Gay
tom. temporary and first permanent
president, called attention 10 the
then new movement in the various
states and cities for public utilities
commissions. He urged a merger OF
tbe two car lines and a public utili-
ties commission for the District.
A. that time all matters regulat-
ING the charges and service oi
transportation companies In tne
District were determined by Con-
ross with all the usual difficulty
and deay.
Favor. Utilities Commission.
At the second or third meetins
of the Federation of Citizens Asso'
Citations the idea Of public utili-
ties commission was agreed to by
the delegates. Mr.. Clayton, who
had been elected as president, un'
dertook without pay to devote hi:
nAinnr Aha idea and he.