The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-11-07
The Federation of Citizens
Associations and Its New
President
PreSIdent
BY BILL PRICE.

The Federation Of Citizens' Associations alectod
ana earnest man JESSE SUTER for its new president
ae succeeds mighty levelhe$ded useful citizen
UHAkLES BAKERwho has conducted the affairs 81 the
ASSOCIATION for several years with marked credit and honor
70 hse and TO the organization which the spokesman for
the views and sentiments of many of Washngtons wide
awake citizens. S
Our citizens associations are many respects uniuue 81
THIS country although such associations are occasionally formed
IN vong communities when desired to arouse the nuhc
y Crtan questions Our associations the outcome Of our
All Americans except those in the District Of
UOumna enjoy the right participate in their muncpa
Mas Dy going to the polls and expressing themselves on
pOIant CIVIC matters by voting for candidates who repre-
sent their views In lieu Of right to vote here the citizens
Isnu themselves together to express to the District Commits
ones and TO Congress their sentiments local subjects and
TO safeguard the interests of particular localities
Ene majority Of these civic bodies are represented in the
Federation Of Citizens Associations by delegates and thus tho
federation becomes clearing house for civic thought ana
desre for good obtaining for this civ the t0s
our people are virtually unanimous for -.
Mr. Suter has long active in the affairs Of the Fad
atcn and always with the best interests the community
n view He will doubtless live up to the high ideals Of
ms organisation solely and wholly in behalf Of the rights Of
ne plain peopehome and others who stand Tor tho
mate upbudng OF this beautiful city and for the fine
moral standard which brings many new people to reside
us to rear their young and to enjoy advantages
So long the Federation continues to devote itself to tho
cause OF the masses Of the people without becoming involved
u tne projects OF those whose only aims sehness and
seHnterest it will retain the confidence and good viii Of te
people and be potential factor in municipal matters Its
CnI object should be the protection Of the rights Of the
people against all Influences matter how powerful
The public has little idea of the huge amount of work ona
~ OFFICERS and committees of the Federation absolutely with
Cu recompense often subjected criticism and nnuendOes
one respect alone the Federation has done work in the
last eight or ten years that invaluable the public and
which, handled by paid attorneys would cost many
thousands OF dollars That has been the long fight to protect
the public against the imposition of exorbnt street car
L electric light telephone and gas rates Had not been
tor the vigorous efforts of W. MCKAY CLAYTON
ing the Federation supported by this newspaper the people
o. TINS city would today be paying to local utilities higher
fares and rates than at present.
Mr. Clayton unpaid has fought the fights Of the people
before the Public Utilities Commission in most INSTANCES
naugang the proceedings by which this commission has
kept close touch with local utilities During sessions of
congress ne has spent many hours at the Capitol seeking
legislative solution Of utilities problems favorable to the gen
eal public He is today the posted on public utilities
in Washington and shk the hardest sort Of service to
the public -
Congress has deliberately prevented the people Of washing
ton being represented before the Public Utilities Commission
by peoples attorney paid to give his entire time work
The Federation Of Citizens Associations has provided force
fu and aggressive volunteer who the public without
pay and sad to relate without thanks the Federation did
nothing else but this it would still be worth to this
community