The St. Charles herald., 1922-11-04
Real
National Center

trolling world affairs, and from ad-
vancing the cause of labor to protect
ing the interests Of capital.
Some are constructive, some are de-
structive. Some are boosters, some |
are knockers, and all are propaganda
lists.
Some do their work to an accom-
paniment Of brass bands and invite the
whole world to know what they are do
ing. Others are secretive, and, like
providence, work in mysterious way
their wonders to perform.
Most of these organizations are here
to influence legislation or governmental
action of one kind or another. 1t Is
not to be inferred that their efforts IN
this direction are anything but legiti-
mate, as they represent people and
interests that have right to be heard
In matters Of that kind. Members OF
congress sometimes grow restive under
the pressure and importunings to which
they are subjected, but they recognize
the fact in the long run they receive
valuable information and assistance In
their lawmaking.
| The secret Of the success OF these
organizations Is that Administrations
and congresses come and go, but they
stay on forever and keep everlastingiy
at whatever they set out to accomplish.
Fine Buildings Erected.
A few of the 800 organizations that
hold forth in Washington have erected
fine buildings that contribute material
ly to the beauty of the city. The
American Red Cross the Daughters OF
the Revolution and the Pan-American
Union all have magnificent homes In
Seventeenth street on the way to PO-
tomac park that rank high among the
architectural beauties of the capital
city. The American Federation OF
Labor has a splendid Office building In
Massachusetts avenue at Ninth street
and close by similar structure,
reared and occupied by the Interna-
tional Brotherhood of Machinists.
Probably the feature building OF
them all will be the new home Of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
; States. now in course Of erection, while
the Scottish Rite temple In Sixteenth
street and a new edifice on the old
Dean estate on which the Masons Will
snend millions are illustrative OF what
fraternal orders have done to enhance
the attractions of Washington. The
National Geographic society Is another
organization that has q fine home OF
its own.
OF the political organizations estaD
4 lished in Washington the most impor
I tant are. of course, the Democratic and
Republican national committees. Eacf
4 occupies q great suite in downtown
office building and each maintains
4 force and equipment that is prepared
TO do anything except make money.
The Socialist party also maintains
offices here, as does also that organiza
tion that is undertaking coalition ol
4 the farmer and labor vote and tina
NAV ultimately take the form OF
4 new party. The woman's nationa
4 party is represented in , Washington
a and the organizations that fought TO
B and against suffrage maintain head
q quarters, although much Of the polit
q ical activity of women is now linke'
q up with the organization work Of tn
A national committee. of the old estab
q lished parties.
d Greatest of all the national organ
4 izations maintaining headquarters her
n AM one that Is popularity supposed I
represent all the people all the time
the government itself. 1t is the colos
l. sal machine and all the others are bu
le ccgs or wheels within wheels.-Fret
e eric ]. Haskin in the Chicago Dali
News.