The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-31
Representative Allen Says
If District Desires 1t
Should Have 1t.
But Only One Delegate,
Just as Territories
Are Treated.
Chamberlain Says No
Change Needed Under
Present Conditions.

The question OF whether Washington
should have an elected Delegate OF Dele
gates in Congress is receiving a great
deal of careful consideration among
residents Of the District, now that the
subject has been opened by the re-
cent action of the Business Mems As
ISOLATION and the issue defined The
sentiment is not at all unanimous. al
though there seemed to be little diner
ence of opinion at the meeting or the
Business Men. There is no indication
that the matter will be brought before
the Board of Trade for its action
Another meeting of the Business Mems
Association, however. viii be held soon
for the purpose of discussing the ques-
lions raised by the committee having
in charge the drafting of bill to be
introduced at the next session Of Con
gress This meeting will in all proba-
bility, be largely attended, and its &C
ton watched with interest by residents
of the District.
An interview of timely interest on this
subject was granted to a Times reporter
yesterday by Representative Amos L.
Allen of Maine After Samuel ".
Smith. of Michigan, who is not in the
city. Mr.. Allen is ranking member of
the House Committee on the District Of
Columbia. He has been sent 10 Con-
gress from the district which former
Speaker Reed represented.
Representative Aliens Ideas.
It was suggested to Mr.. Allen that
the Business Mems Association. a body
that is considered representative OF the
popultr interests Of the Ditrict. had
placed itself on record as favoring three
delegates to be elected by the people
of the District 20 represent them in
Congress Mr.. Allen. in commenting on
this action, said: =
"As one of the cardinal principles Of
our form of government, think that
no considerable portion of the popula-
ton should be without voice in the
government. can see no reason why
the population Of $4,000 in the District
Of Columbia should not have the fran
Chise. While ! favor the election Of a
Delegate to the House of Representatives
by the people of the District. still ]
have doubts as 10 the material good that
he would be able TO accomplish. The
election of three delegates. as suggested
by the Business Men. would hardly be
fair. as representation in Congress is
based on population, and the Territories
are represented by only one Delegate.
My reason for doubling the real ef-
fICiency of a Delegate lies in the fact
that the District now has an excellent
government; the Commissioners are men
of high ability. and present the needs
of the District before the Congressional
committees in an effective manner.
Whether one man, who would have the
right and privilege TO speak for the Dis
trict on the floor of the House, could
accomplish much more than the Com
missiO1ers, is doubtful.
District Well Managed.
Taxation in the District is much
lighter than in most. other cities, the at
fairs of the District are splendldly adj
ministered, Congress has committed it.
self to the Identification of the city on
a magnificent scale, there are no evil
dences of graft in municipal affairs such
as have been disclosed in other large
cities Of the country, and. in short, the
people of the District have very little
Of which to complain. / do not urge
this, however. as a reason why Con-
gFess should deny the people a voice in
the conduct Of their own affairs. 1t is
only right and just that the people here
should be allowed to express their pref
erences in matters of local government
In my own district the desires Of the
majority CT the people in matters Of
Federal appointments are carefully as
certained, and 1 know that if their
wishes were not thus carefully consult
ed there would be almost a rebellion.
IF the people of the District desire
it. I am in favor Of Congress granting
admission TO a Delegate on the same
basis as Territorial representation. But
a good, strong, representative business
man, who thoroughly understands the
needs and wishes Of the residents of the /
District. and who can personally com
mand the attention and respect Of
Members of Congress should be elected
in order to gain any material advantage
that is not now enjoyed"
IN. Chamberlin Opposes Change.
A similar premise is stated by J. NJ.
Chamberlin, secretary Of the commit
tee on taxation and assessment Of the
Board Of Trade, but he arrives at a
totally different conclusion. When
asked for his views on the subject,
Mr.. Chamberlin said: we have in
Washington one Of the best, if not the
best municipal government of any
city in the country The element Of
graft is practically nil. The city is
experiencing a healthy growth the
General Government is making of 1t a
most beautiful city very desirable res
ldents are being attracted TO the city
continually, and there are no glazing
abuses Of any kind that call for cor
fecuon. / was for eight years en-
ployed IN the District building, and in
al mat time I never saw a single in
dicaton or irreguIarity. That is rather
remarkable statement for an en- /
pioye OF any municipal government to
make
There is nothing to be gained by
having delegate in Congress. The
turmoil and agitation incident 70 his
election is very undesirable. In the
naatter Of .tasatils.,- -.