Evening star., 1921-12-11
PROMISES !.
AID FOR DISTRICT
Will Name New House Sub
committee to Pay Special
Care to City's. Needs.

Representative Ben Focht Of Penn
sylvania, chairman Of the House Dis
tr;ct committee. announced last night
his intention Of appointing this week
a special new subcommittee, headed
by "a friend Of the District Of Colum-
bia." to which the organized citizenry
Of Washington may bring requests for
municipal and civic improvements and
be assured of fair and sympathet
hearing.
His announcement featured an in
formal address before the Mount
Pleasant Citixens' Association meeting
in the Johnson-Powel School. Charles
A. Baker. president of the Federation
Of Citizens Associations. who was on
the platform. in behalf OF the united
expressed qualification at Mr.. Fochts
announcement and said the federation
would take advantage Of the oppor-
tunity thus presented to seek legisla-
ton for the betterment Of the Nations &
Capital.
Citizen U.ity Urged.
Representative Focht's plan was
made known following an exhorta-
ton that the citizens Of Washington
and program and discourage attempts
of individuals or small cliQues to Of
fer varying and confusing recon-
mendations to Congress on public
problems affecting the District.
action by citizens" Mr.. Focht stated.
mo one. apparently. knows just how
to go about getting legislation from
Congress. There are plenty of petty
complaints about this or that needed
Improvement, but concerted and def
mite policies of a broad nature have
been absent"
1t is Chairman Focht's belief that
the proposed subcommittee, in charge
of a competent and sympathetic head,
will serve to bring about cooperation
of constructive type between Con-
gress and the residents of Washing
ton. and will aid in making this city
"the capital Of the world"
Mr.. Focht declared that. he Was in
favor of anything which would boost
the District and complimented the
city for having Capt Oyster and Com
missioner Rudolph as civilian Commis-
| sky's the limit for teachers salaries''
and for school expenditures. He de-
plored the fact that the local traction
companies have not voluntarily merged.
get together while the getting is good?''
Mr.. Baker informed Mr.. Focht that
the federation was endeavoring to
crystalline the sentiment Of all the
civic-bodies into concrete suggestions
and pointed out that two definite
stands already have been taken:
equipment of the schools to care for
all educational needs. including
higher pay for teachers and repeal
of the Barland law. which assesses
one-half the cost Of street improve
ments to owners of abutting prop
erty. These points. he said. would
be brought before the proposed sub
committee at the first available op-
portunity.
NJ. w. Lewis, chairman of a special
committee ON building restriction
lines. made a comprehensive report
on the width of streets and the loca-
ton of building lines in the associa-
tons territory.
Fred G. Coldren. chairman of the
parks committee, told of the tour Of
Senator Ball yesterday to the Piney
branch parkway, and of the need for
preserving this land for park pur-
poses.
Col. William Edgar Rogers. presi-
dent Of the association, presided.
Refreshments were served following
the meeting.