Evening star., 1909-05-09
PRESIDENT TAFT
AGAINST SUFFRAGE
FOR THE DISTRICT
Announces His Views in Speech
at Banquet rendered by
Citizens.
ALSO, HE is OPPOSED
TO VOICE IN CONGRESS
Favors Municipal Form of Govern
ment With Limitations.
UNDECIDED ABOUT GOVERNOR
Not Ready to Say Whether There
Should Be Three Heads or One
to Local Government-Jus-
tice Stafford's Plea for
Representation.

1t was a great night for Washington.
The two sides of the local-nati tional part
nership in capital-makng were presented
in way to increase the consideration of
each partner for the other and to pro-
mote the cooperative and effective work
ing of the partnership. Judge Stafford
eloquently appealed for consideration of
the local partner; and the President set
forth III forcible and deeply impressive
terms the interest and responsibilities of
the national partner.
1t is by the working shoulder to
shoulder of the people of Washington and
the nation that the beauty and prosperity
and honor of the National capital the
greater Washington of the future, will be
Increased to the ideal standard of which
every loyal Nashingtonian dreams and for
which he labors. The cause of the new
Washington is distinctly advanced by the
interchange of ideas last night.
The apparent issue in respect to which
the President and Justice Stafford differed
AS to representation of the District in
Congress through constitutional amend
ment-will be found on dissection of the
speeches to be capable of reconciliation
without surrender of principle on either
side Nothing will ever be done or seri-
ousIy urged to weaken In any way the
national interest in. control of and obliga-
tions to the nations city. The gist of
Judge Stafford's argument was that local
representation in the national legislature
Is entirely consistent with full national
interest and control.
Of hv he
epeeches relates to constitutional
amendment of the future. perhaps remote.
The points of agreement relate to the I'M
mediate and practical building of the
Greater Washington and to the fullest
consideration by Uncle Sam. the active.
controlling partner in the National capital
Partnership, of his silent partner-the
people Of Washington.
The words of the President. emphasizing
his own and the national interest and af-
fection and pride in the nations city. are
encouraging and inspiring to every loyal
Washingtonian.
Let us all. catching the spirit OF this
historic occasion. labor with redoubled
vigor and enthusiasm for the newer.
greater Washington.
The President of the United States, for
the first time in the history Of the Nation
al capital. was last evening the guest of
the citizens of Washington. under the
auspices of the Board Of Trade and the
Chamber of Commerce.
Straight from the shoulder he talked to
the 800 representative citizens of the Dis
trict gathered around the banquet board
at the Willard Hotel about the present
District government and his ideas con-
cerning it.
He is opposed to the granting Of fran
chise to the people Of the District.
He is in favor of municipal form of
government for the District.
He Is undecided whether there should
be three heads or one head for the local
governing machinery.
He Is opposed to representation for the
District in Congress.
He thinks the people OF the District
should impress Congress with its needs by
agitation and petition.
These Views were not i'm accord with
some OF those applauded in previous ad-
dress made by Justice Wendell Phillips
Stafford: but the President backed them
up with ferver In his arguments.
For weeks preparations have been
made for this banquet, which the mem
bers Of the Board of Trade and the
Chamber Of Commerce. as the representa-.
tive civic organizations OF the city. ten
dered to the President Of the United States
members of his official family and mem
bers of Congress. who have taken an
interest In District affairs. In many
ways the gathering was one Of the "city
fathers" President Taft. as holding me
appointing power over the three heads OF
the government, sat at the head -fgura-
tive.y. as the "city mayor and around
him were members of Congress as 1.-THE
aldermen and the members OF the two
trade bodies as the members of the city's
common council"
All Interest in Speech.
Much interest was taken in the views
which President Taft would express re.
garding the government OF the District
Recently he let ii be known at the White
House that he was not entirely satisfied
with the present form of the District gov.
ernment and that he would not appoint
another Commissioner. at the expiration
of the term of Henry B. F. Macfarland
but would continue Commissioner Macfar
land under his old commission until hi
had had a chance to study the loca
political machinery and find IL 1t car
be improved. The arrangements for tn.
dinner to the President had been made
prior to that announcement: but after
that time the interest in the address o.
the Grief executive to the business anc
professional men Of the capital becam.
keener.
The question was clearly. though not
directly, put to the President before he
rose to speak. In his Introductory ad-
dress John Joy Edison, the presiding Of
ficer. complimented the President on his
early manifestation of interest in District
affairs. pointed out the successes and