Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-03-11
.BoostCapitaI,
Clubs
Told byCarr

Edward R. Carr, president OF
the Washington Board of Trade.
urged District residents last
night to devote more time to
publicizing the many advantages
enjoyed in the Capital and to
stop dwelling constantly upon
difficult local problems.
His appeal for an Affirmative
approach in selling" the city to
people at home and away was
made at the annual dinner Of
the Federation of Citizens Clubs
in the Mayflower Hotel. The dim
ner took the form of testimon-
ial to retiring District Commits
Sioner Samuel Spencer.
At the same time, The Evening
Star trophy for outstanding COM
Imunity service was presented to
William j. Smith, chairman OF
the federation committee on ifs
cal relations and taxation and
vice president of the Citizens
Advisory Council.
I'VE know we'll all about our
problems. but let's start talking
about some of our many advan-
tages." counseled Mr.. Carr.
Washington is the second
fastest growing area in the
United States. And that surprises
a lot of people. Only Houston
ranks ahead of us in that respect.
Good People Here"
"We have good people here.
We are attracting high class
newcomers. people in the higher
income brackets, many experts
in many fields.
1--WE will continue to be i'm
portant, not only because of the
Federal Government but also be-
cause Washington is one of the
most beautiful of all places to
live"
Furthermore" he quipped,
1--WE can get anywhere we want
to go within an hour-and-a- half;
that is, with the present form of
transportation"
The 500 diners got a big laugh
out of that for Mr.. Carr is among
a group of citizens who tried I'M
successfully to obtain a franchise
for a private transit system.
looking to the time when Capital
Transit Co. goes out of business
in August. All three of the Dis
trict Commissioners. who asked
Congress for public authority,
were at the head table.
Called big League" City
The speaker said Washington
is big league" city in all re-
Ispects and commented that even
the weather usually is good.
| Vice President Nixon was
among those who wrote letters
in tribute to Mr.. Spencer for his
service as a Commissioner.
! Benjamin M. McKelway, editor
Iof The Star, told the federation
that. Mr.. Spencer has exhibited
a high order of integrity, demon
strated great patience under
strain and shown unselfish dedi-
, cation to a complicated public
service.
Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Lane.
the Engineer Commissioner. said
, Mr.. Spencer always weighed
community problems carefully.
ARRIVED at decisions he believed
lin the public interest and fol-
lowed up with action.
| Mr.. Spencer, speaking for only
a minute, expressed gratitude for
the tributes and declared Wash
Iington is at the threshold of its
greatest days.
Star Trophy Presented
Mr.. McKelway presented The
Star trophy to Mr.. Smith, who
is associated with the Chesa-
peake & Potomac Telephone Co.
and lives at 1851 Suitland road
Sc. He described the winner Of
the annual award as a man who
won the respect and admiration
Iof associates both in business and
civic affairs.
Mr.. Smith was cited particu-
Ilarly for work on legislation
which would provide for the reg
Iistration and licensing of all
nurses here.
John Remon, Federation presi-
dent, was POSTMASTER. The Met
ropolitan Police Band, under di-
rection of Inspector Charles Ben
ter, played during dinner. Radio
Entertainer Art Brown was mas
ter of ceremonies for program
of entertainment.