The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-21
Washington Does Things
When 1t Wants To
BY BILL PRICE.

by BILL PklCE.
One of the little knocks occasionally heard is that
Washington people will not put money into public
enterprise unless assured that they going to get it
back. The sur doubtless had its origin in subscrip
tons every four years to defray inaugural expenses
Haven't civic activities and developments of recent
years disproved that clearlyi Washngtonians sub
scrbed to various issues of Liberty bonds in per capita
proportion larger than any other city, knowing full
well that they were taking loss They had no as
then that these bonds would eventually 20 to
par They gave millions Of dollars to the Red Cross
the Y M. c. A., the Y w. G. A., the Knights of Coum-
bus the Salvation Army and other organizations doing
humanitarian and welfare work. They annually give
thousands of dollars to charities.
In the strictly civic field they have just given a
demonstration of civic strength and unity in promptly
subscribing for 100000 in stocks and bonds for the
construction of large Convention Hall for entertain
ing conventions of all kinds that hold their annual
meetings in Chicago Buffalo and other Cities leaving
large sums of money behind them. The conventions
went elsewhere because have had no hall space to
accommodate them.
The project quickly underwritten under the able
captaincy of Col. ROBERT N HARPER. After years
of discussion a concrete proposition was put before
our people. They lost no time in showing COM
mendabe unity of public spirit. They would have sub
scribed larger amount if they had been asked and it
might be wise to enlarge the subscriptions to
insure convention gathering place superior to any
in the country.
The Convention Hall committee simply waits for the
completion of the financial transactions. Some of the
team captains have already paid in the full amounts
subscribed and others getting ready to do No
body is going to fall down. The satisfaction will be
all the greater though, if the financial arrangements
are completed speedily the subscriptions
made.
Now that the dream of years is virtual reality,
the necessary money should be in the hands of the
mittee at once that work upon the hall may not be
delayed. The plan is to have the hall ready for
venton activities before the next year that conventions
may be invited and dated for all of 1928 The
ventions being held and to be held throughout
1922 will want to make advance arrangements for their
next meeting. 1t is therefore, important that the
struction of the hall should begin at the earliest
moment.
Every Washingtonian should be proud of the fine
work done by business and professional in under
writing the project.
And in every matter concerning Washington in the
future let all boost. Make the spirit of this city
that will impress strangers and that will lead to big
and glorious things for the finest and most beautiful
city in the world. n
ramidal form that is short enough to be remembered
by ALL This advice applies to any town, but we've got
things in this city to be proud of and to never cease
boosting Of All the world and admres them ex-
cept ourselves. We look upon them in matter-of-
fact way. Here's the Kiwanis tip:
HOW TO TREAT YOUR TOWN