Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-20

ing. The report, which was an extern
sive one and dwelt with the various
phases of the subject, was finally re-
ferred back to the special committee for
further investigation
After reviewing the carly history Of
the District Chairman Davis in his re-
port said:
That some change or modifica ton is
desirable can hardly be questioned in
view of our inability to have any voice
in the shaping of legislation affectingl
our welfare. Conditions now are not
what they were when the District of
Columbia was first established. At that
time 1t was comparatively easy mat
ter to pass all needful laws and to make
suitable regulations in respect thereto.
Since that time our population has
been steadily and rapidly increasing
such proportions as to render it abso-
lutely essential for us to keep knock
ing at the doors of Congress for recog-
nition."
Benefits to Be Retained.
Mr.. Davis stated that Congress un-
doubtedly had authority to lawfully dele
gate legislative power in the District in
matters pertaining to municipal affairs.
would such power, under all circum-
stances, be desirable or beneficial to the
inhabitants of the District? I am of the
opinion that it would not he said. IF
the experiment is TO be tried we shall
find ourselves involved in almost endless
litigation and disputes"
The speaker said further that I'VE do
not want to throw away the benefits
which we now enjoy and adopt a form
of government which would inevitably be
suicidal to our best interests. We do,
however, want. if possible. to place our
selves more perfectly in touch with the
law making power to which we must
look to protect lis in our rights and to
subserve our interests in every respect
as citizens and residents Of the District
of Columbia. This may be accomplished
by direct representation in the Senate
and the House of Representatives of the
United States. We ought to have one or
more delegates In each branch of the
national legislature to present the wants
and needs of the citizens Of the District
of Columbia. We can do this without
any constitutional amendment because
Congress has certain implied powers
which are not specially enumerated in
the Constitution itself"
Choice by Direct Vote.
AS to the best method to be adopted
Mr.. Davis said that the choice of men
to thus represent the District in Con-
gress should be made by a vote of resi-
dent citizens of the District, based upon
property qualifications. The law, he said.
should also provide that the representa-
tives should. in all cases. be appointed
to and made members of the congress
sional committees which may be APP
pointed to look after the affairs of the
District.
The spea ker concluded by calling atten-
ton to the reprint of an article in The
Sunday Star of October H. written by
Theodore w. Noyes. editor of The Star.
entitled "Americanizing Washington" and
complmented the article because Of the
facts contained and the evident care in
it's preparation.
The information contained in the re-
port Hervey S. knight, a member of the
committee stated was not to be con-
strued as meaning that a change in the
present form of government was desired
or advocated 1t was agreed that the
present form of government was the best
IL it only carried with 1t representation
in Congress
T 4 LIE Clerc suggested the addition of
an educational qualification clause to the
report. ard after prolonged discussion S.
w. Williams moved that the matter be re-
ferred back to the special committee for
further investigation and report along
these lines Others who took part in the
discussion were Prof. w w. Prescott c.
NJ Heaton. President Woods and Secre-
tary Dyre. The committee is composed of
c. W. Davis. chairman: Prof. w. w.
Dyre.
Unanimous for Prohibition.
The subject OF prohibition was opened
up by a report from l.. c. White. chair
man of a special committee appointed sew
eral months ago to file protest with the
excise board against the issuing of IL
cense to Hugh Harten on Brightwood ave-
nue. A protest was filed and a hearing
held October > II was recommended that
another protest be filed previous to No
vember l. when application would again
be made for a new license. Messrs. w. G.
Platt C. NJ. Heaton. H s. Knight A F..
Woods and DR.. c. o. Townsend discussed
the situation in the course of which it
was decided to start the crusade against
the saloons in the vicinity of Takoma
Park and on Brightwood avenue. The terri
tory was extended to include the District
line, and when the climax was reached il
was the unanimous opinion that the entire
District of Columbia should be included in
the crusade. The association adopted
resolutions demanding that the excise
board take unfavorabie action on the issu
ing of license to the saloon referred to
on Brightwood avenue An effort will be
made at the coming session of Congress
TO secure the passage of a dill prohibiting
the sale of liquors in the District
Secretary Dyre reported a list of I'M
provements secured through the efforts